Upgrade older PB G4 10.3 for Canon printer?

[LR827]

I have an older laptop I was trying to set up for guests to use. I could not install the software for our printer, a Canon MX340, as the computer needs to be upgraded. I do not know if I can upgrade to 10.5 or even 10.4, since I have a PowerPC processor. Can anyone advise how to go about upgrading this computer so that I can install the printer software? Or am I just out of luck with this?

Hardware Overview:

  Machine Model:   PowerBook G4 15"
  CPU Type:   PowerPC G4  (3.3)
  Number Of CPUs:   1
  CPU Speed:   1 GHz
  L2 Cache (per CPU):   256 KB
  L3 Cache (per CPU):   1 MB
  Memory:   512 MB
  Bus Speed:   133 MHz
  Boot ROM Version:   4.5.3f2

Thanks, as always,
Lorraine

[Paddy]

Lorraine, you should be able to upgrade to 10.4.11 or 10.5.8 with no problems, IF you upgrade the RAM. 512MB is simply not enough to run well. You can upgrade the RAM to 1 GB using two 500 MB sticks. If you use any Classic applications, go with 10.4.11 - otherwise you can use 10.5.8. The advantage of using the more recent OS is better compatibility with browsers etc. Do you have the retail install disks for either of those OS'? (10.4.x/10.5.x - version doesn't matter as either can be upgraded to the final version release via Software update)

Your PB's specs are here: http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powe...ook_g4_1.0.html

The RAM is relatively cheap: http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20Wor...g/133SO512328L/

[LR827]

Thanks, Paddy.

I think the maximum I can upgrade is 10.4.11 because I read somewhere after I sent this that I my PB G4 has a PowerPC processor and the 10.5+ require the Intel processor. Is it still possible to purchase a 10.4.11? I keep being referred to Leopard software, but that won't work.

Lorraine

[jchuzi]

10.5 can be installed in a computer with a PPC processor provided that it operates at 867 MHz or faster. You will want at least 1 GB RAM as well. 10.6 is the first OS that requires Intel only.

[chriskleeman]

Hi Lorraine,

Jon and Paddy are correct. You can go to 10.5.8 on that machine. They are also correct that you will need to max out the RAM. OS 10.4.x discs have been getting quite scarce, but if you are going to want to run Classic for any OS 9 applications, as Paddy suggested, you can only do that in 10.4.x, and not in Leopard, 10.5.x

Happy Hunting!

Chris

[LR827]

Thanks all! This is very helpful, as always.


Lorraine

[jchuzi]

QUOTE(chriskleeman @ Sep 27 2010, 05:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OS 10.4.x discs have been getting quite scarce, but if you are going to want to run Classic for any OS 9 applications, as Paddy suggested, you can only do that in 10.4.x, and not in Leopard, 10.5.xHappy Hunting!Chris

Many flavors of OS 8, 9 and X are available at FastMac but some are exorbitantly priced. Be sure that you get a generic version (black label). Machine-specific versions (gray label) will only work in the exact model for which they were issued. If you look on eBay, the same precaution applies.

[LR827]

Well, I ordered the extra 1 GB ram at OWC. They also said 10.5.x would work on my machine, and recommended I look on Amazon. They did not have it, so I went to MegaMacs. They have 10.5.6 new for $249 but at the very bottom of the specs, it says

Installation Requirements:
Power Macintosh G4 867 Mhz or faster, G5 or Intel based Macintosh
DVD Drive
512MB of physical RAM

It looks like my PPC processor will not work with 10.5, unless there is something else I need to do to upgrade it? Otherwise, I should get 10.4, yes?

[Paddy]

Er, Lorraine, read it again.

QUOTE

Power Macintosh G4 867 Mhz or faster, G5 or Intel based Macintosh

And that's a LOT of money to pay for 10.5.

Try eBay - there are some Buy it Now auctions for less:

http://cgi.ebay.com/MAC-OS-X-10-5-1-LEOPAR...f#ht_600wt_1139

NOTE: make sure the disk looks like the one in this auction (universe pic - black & purple) NOT plain gray, which means it's a system specific disk and will NOT work on your Mac - your Powerbook shipped with a much older version of OS X.

[chriskleeman]

QUOTE(LR827 @ Sep 28 2010, 11:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, I ordered the extra 1 GB ram at OWC. They also said 10.5.x would work on my machine, and recommended I look on Amazon. They did not have it, so I went to MegaMacs. They have 10.5.6 new for $249 but at the very bottom of the specs, it says

Installation Requirements:
Power Macintosh G4 867 Mhz or faster, G5 or Intel based Macintosh
DVD Drive
512MB of physical RAM

It looks like my PPC processor will not work with 10.5, unless there is something else I need to do to upgrade it? Otherwise, I should get 10.4, yes?

Hi Lorraine,

I'm not sure what exactly is keeping you confused about whether or not Leopard will work in your PowerBook. As long as your PowerBook's G4 processor is 867mhz or faster, which yours is, at 1 Ghz, and you have a Combo Drive which will read DVD's, which your machine should have shipped with according the specifications I found, Leopard will work for you up to the last upgrade, 10.5.8.

The only reason not to get Leopard IMO, would be if you will be running any applications in Classic for OS 9, which is not supported in Leopard. The last OS X operating system to support Classic is Tiger, OS 4.11.

Paddy's advice on what particular discs to look for is correct, do not buy a grey one, you're looking for a black and purple retail full install. I just browsed through eBay, and there are several you could bid on, or get the one that Paddy linked to for a "Buy It Now".

HTH,

Chris

[Texas Mac Man]

Tiger install DVDs are in short supply. Tiger is no longer available at the Apple Store but may be available for $129 by calling Apple Phone Sales @ 1-800-MY-APPLE (1-800-692-7753). For other sources, do a Google search for MA453Z/A (10.4.6), MA190Z/A (10.4.3) and M9639Z/A (10.4) . Also look on eBay. Be sure & buy a retail version (black with silver X) and not a model specific version (gray). See http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1976068 Can I use another Mac's system restore disc on my Mac?.

Possible Alternative if you are currently using Panther 10.3 – Do a Google search for Tiger 10.4 Upgrade DVD . It will upgrade your 10.3 to 10.4, but it doesn’t contain the full retail Tiger installer. Should be cheaper than the retail Tiger install DVD.

After you install the base 10.4.x, update to the final Tiger version 10.4.11. Here's the link for the 10.4.11 combo update http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24901?viewlocale=en_US

Look at this link Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger Installing Software Support Page
http://www.apple.com/support/tiger/install/

You can also download the Tiger Installation and Setup Guide
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/Tiger_Ins...Setup_Guide.pdf

When you upgrade the OS, do it via Archive & Install. See About the Archive and Install feature http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1710
Be sure to select Preserve Users & Settings. Also, repair permissions before and after the install.

[LR827]

Oooooh, Paddy & Chris... I see!  

But you must admit, the way it is written...

Well, Texas Mac, thank you for all the links. It looks like I can get Leopard after all. Thank you all so much!!

Lorraine