Reformating an iBook G3

matthewtattoo · 04-18-2006, 04:33 AM

Can anyone help me? I bought an iBook G3 on Ebay and I would like to reformat it, as I do not have the original owner's password or OS9 discs. I have read that an iBook with a Firewire port can be used like an external hard drive in Target Mode and I do have a Power Book G4 with A Firewire port. Herein lies my problem. The iBook only has a USB port and it does not read DVDs. How can I reformat this iBook? The iBook is currently running OS X, even though the memory has not been upgraded from it's original 64MB memory sticks. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated, I am a newbie in the world of Macs.

voldenuit · 04-18-2006, 09:45 AM

I seriously doubt you can run OS X inside 64 MB, it may boot, but it's probably not useful.

You'll have to either upgrade the RAM very seriously or run OS 9.

Without FW, your best bet is to use CDs or Ethernet to move data.

jeffo · 04-18-2006, 11:25 AM

I have run Jaguar (X.2) on 64mb of ram before, but it was just to test the machine, I didn't actually try to use it like that. It did take alot longer to boot and do some other things. I tried installing Panther (X.3) on a machine with 96mb and it never got past trying to boot from the install CD. It got part way booted and then kept accessing the CD and never got past that. If you only have USB on this iBook then it has to be a clamshell one, which will run OS X fine as long as you stay away from trying to play videos and things like that. You will have to be patient with it though. When you insert the OS X install CD into the computer and restart it, hold down on the C key. This will force it to boot from the CD, not the harddrive. When this comes up to the first install screens, go to the menus at the top. In one of them you should see Disk Utility, select this and you can format the harddrive as many times as you want. When you quit out of the Disk Utility it will automatically take you back to the install screen. If this doesn't work, let us know.

matthewtattoo · 04-19-2006, 01:24 AM

Is it possible to boot the iBook G3 using the discs that came with my Power Book G4? Or will I have to aquire OS X somewhere else?

Raven · 04-19-2006, 09:41 AM

You will have to get a retail copy of OS X. The CDs that come with your G4 are meant to be used with that model alone and it is illegal to use them for another machine (though even if you tired to install the moment you'd boot from CD you'd get a warning stating you can't install it on that model) as the licence was sold for that specific G4.

matthewtattoo · 04-23-2006, 05:40 AM

New problem: The iBook g3 that is speak of doesn't support DVDs, how do I make a cd copy of OS X when I get it?

matthewtattoo · 04-23-2006, 05:59 AM

I recently bought a iBook G3 from an Ebay auction. It came equipted with OS X, yet it's only running on the original 64 MB memory. I have since installed the largest memory upgrade possible and am going to purchase OS X. I need to reformat this machine and have run into this problem. This Clamshell doesn't support DVDs. To my knowledge OS X comes in DVD format. Since I wish to wipe this computer clean, as I don't have the password from the previous owner, how can I get OS X onto a CD to reboot this machine. I've been advised that this G3 with it's memory maxed will run OS X, though it will be slow. The machine is a gift for a friend that just wishes to use it for e-mail and such. Is there any way to get OS X into CD format or is it possible to do some digging in the machine and retrieve the original owner's password so that I might wipe his profile from the machine or at least remove the original profile from it's administrative status? Any help is greatly appreciated.

guardian34 · 04-23-2006, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthewtattoo


	Is there any way to get OS X into CD format

Buy the DVD format, then exchange it with Apple:

Media Exchange Program (PDF)

voldenuit · 04-23-2006, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthewtattoo


	New problem: The iBook g3 that is speak of doesn't support DVDs, how do I make a cd copy of OS X when I get it?

You don't.

Apple will provide a CD-set instead for a fee.

And you still won't be able to do anything useful with it, Tiger won't even install in 64 MB RAM or on a machine without FireWire.

The iBook you bought is quite antique and won't be terribly useful unless you're into retro-computing.

hayne · 04-23-2006, 04:39 PM

Or buy Panther (10.3) on eBay. Make sure that you get a retail version of the CD, not just an upgrade or "restore" disk (that came with some particular model of Mac).

You could also use "target disk mode" to install Tiger from the DVD drive on another Mac. But then your friend wouldn't have the Install CDs as a troubleshooting tool.

And I merged your two threads into one. Best to keep discussion to one thread.

voldenuit · 04-23-2006, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayne


	You could also use "target disk mode" to install Tiger from the DVD drive on another Mac.

If the iBook in question had FireWire, indeed, you could.

Matthew, it's a Bad Plan.

Either use the old iBook with OS9 or get a beefier machine to run a modern version of OS X.
Anything else will be cumbersome and in the end, frustrating.

hayne · 04-23-2006, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voldenuit


	If the iBook in question had FireWire, indeed, you could.

Oops - I didn't read the original post carefully enough!

jeffo · 04-24-2006, 09:51 AM

I believe that XPostFacto will allow Tiger (X.4) to be installed on that iBook, but I honestly think that Panther (X.3) will run quicker on that computer. I have two snow iBooks (500mhz) and I noticed that they seemed a bit more sluggish with Tiger on them (vs Panther). Like mentioned above Apple does/did have a trade in program that will give you CDs instead of the DVD, and I think it only cost about $10 to do it.

Note: I just checked the compatibility chart on XPFs site and your iBook is listed as allowing Tiger to be installed.

04-18-2006, 04:33 AM	#1
matthewtattoo Prospect Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Baltimore Posts: 7	Reformating an iBook G3 Can anyone help me? I bought an iBook G3 on Ebay and I would like to reformat it, as I do not have the original owner's password or OS9 discs. I have read that an iBook with a Firewire port can be used like an external hard drive in Target Mode and I do have a Power Book G4 with A Firewire port. Herein lies my problem. The iBook only has a USB port and it does not read DVDs. How can I reformat this iBook? The iBook is currently running OS X, even though the memory has not been upgraded from it's original 64MB memory sticks. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated, I am a newbie in the world of Macs.

04-19-2006, 01:24 AM	#4
matthewtattoo Prospect Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Baltimore Posts: 7	Thanks gents, one more thing? Is it possible to boot the iBook G3 using the discs that came with my Power Book G4? Or will I have to aquire OS X somewhere else?

04-19-2006, 09:41 AM	#5
Raven Hall of Famer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Montreal Posts: 4,782	You will have to get a retail copy of OS X. The CDs that come with your G4 are meant to be used with that model alone and it is illegal to use them for another machine (though even if you tired to install the moment you'd boot from CD you'd get a warning stating you can't install it on that model) as the licence was sold for that specific G4. __________________ Waffled foreheads are a symptom of broken keyboards and inexperienced users

04-23-2006, 04:39 PM	#10
hayne Site Admin Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montreal Posts: 32,473	Or buy Panther (10.3) on eBay. Make sure that you get a retail version of the CD, not just an upgrade or "restore" disk (that came with some particular model of Mac). You could also use "target disk mode" to install Tiger from the DVD drive on another Mac. But then your friend wouldn't have the Install CDs as a troubleshooting tool. And I merged your two threads into one. Best to keep discussion to one thread. __________________ hayne.net/macosx.html Last edited by hayne; 04-23-2006 at 04:44 PM.

04-18-2006, 09:45 AM	#2
voldenuit League Commissioner Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Old Europe Posts: 5,146	I seriously doubt you can run OS X inside 64 MB, it may boot, but it's probably not useful. You'll have to either upgrade the RAM very seriously or run OS 9. Without FW, your best bet is to use CDs or Ethernet to move data.

04-18-2006, 11:25 AM	#3
jeffo All Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 713	I have run Jaguar (X.2) on 64mb of ram before, but it was just to test the machine, I didn't actually try to use it like that. It did take alot longer to boot and do some other things. I tried installing Panther (X.3) on a machine with 96mb and it never got past trying to boot from the install CD. It got part way booted and then kept accessing the CD and never got past that. If you only have USB on this iBook then it has to be a clamshell one, which will run OS X fine as long as you stay away from trying to play videos and things like that. You will have to be patient with it though. When you insert the OS X install CD into the computer and restart it, hold down on the C key. This will force it to boot from the CD, not the harddrive. When this comes up to the first install screens, go to the menus at the top. In one of them you should see Disk Utility, select this and you can format the harddrive as many times as you want. When you quit out of the Disk Utility it will automatically take you back to the install screen. If this doesn't work, let us know.

04-23-2006, 05:40 AM	#6
matthewtattoo Prospect Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Baltimore Posts: 7	New problem: The iBook g3 that is speak of doesn't support DVDs, how do I make a cd copy of OS X when I get it?

04-23-2006, 05:59 AM	#7
matthewtattoo Prospect Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Baltimore Posts: 7	I recently bought a iBook G3 from an Ebay auction. It came equipted with OS X, yet it's only running on the original 64 MB memory. I have since installed the largest memory upgrade possible and am going to purchase OS X. I need to reformat this machine and have run into this problem. This Clamshell doesn't support DVDs. To my knowledge OS X comes in DVD format. Since I wish to wipe this computer clean, as I don't have the password from the previous owner, how can I get OS X onto a CD to reboot this machine. I've been advised that this G3 with it's memory maxed will run OS X, though it will be slow. The machine is a gift for a friend that just wishes to use it for e-mail and such. Is there any way to get OS X into CD format or is it possible to do some digging in the machine and retrieve the original owner's password so that I might wipe his profile from the machine or at least remove the original profile from it's administrative status? Any help is greatly appreciated.

04-24-2006, 09:51 AM	#13
jeffo All Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 713	I believe that XPostFacto will allow Tiger (X.4) to be installed on that iBook, but I honestly think that Panther (X.3) will run quicker on that computer. I have two snow iBooks (500mhz) and I noticed that they seemed a bit more sluggish with Tiger on them (vs Panther). Like mentioned above Apple does/did have a trade in program that will give you CDs instead of the DVD, and I think it only cost about $10 to do it. Note: I just checked the compatibility chart on XPFs site and your iBook is listed as allowing Tiger to be installed.