Got iBook off Ebay

[Frances144]

Hi there

Partner got his iBook G4 from Ebay.  Very nice too.

Old system admin still on (inc password?) so I zero data'ed the hard drive and installed the system disks that accompanied the iBook.

Sadly, they are OS10.3.7 and my iBook is 10.4.8.  I was going to just shove all my stuff from my backed-up hard-drive onto his iBook so he could have all my apps, etc and settings but his iBook said that my OS was too new and he needed to update his OS.

I have set up the ethernet and he is on the net now, updating his software from Apple and this, of course, is taking an age because there is so much to do!  Anyway, Mac OSX Update COmbined will only update his iBook to 10.3.9 which is still not good enough to have my apps, and settings.

How do I get to 10.4?  After I have got to 10.3.9, will it offer me the next upgrade or do I have to search through my OS disks and find the more up-to-date version?  I can't actually remember what I started on.

Thanks
Francesx

[jepinto]

Upgrades explained

QUOTE

Mac OS X Versions 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, and 10.4, are complete system upgrades that must be purchased.

The point upgrades, such as 10.1.x to 10.1.5 (Final) 10.2.x to 10.2.8 (Final), 10.3.x to 10.3.9 (Final), and 10.4.x to 10.4.8 (Pending), can be downloaded for free.

[Frances144]

Right, thanks for that.

I have just found my 10.4 disks from my iBook and bunged them in.

Now it says "Alert - this software cannot be installed on this computer".  Why not?

Thanks
Frances

[MacHeadCase]

QUOTE(Frances144 @ Dec 14 2006, 10:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Right, thanks for that.

I have just found my 10.4 disks from my iBook and bunged them in.

Now it says "Alert - this software cannot be installed on this computer".  Why not?

Thanks
Frances

Because that CD/DVD install disk can only be installed on the same type of machine. For example, if that OS install disk came with a 3rd generation G5 iMac it can only be installed on a 3rd generation G5 iMac and you can't use that same disk to install the OS on a G4 PowerMac for instance.

Unless they are made with applications that work in Tiger-only, files from a Tiger Mac can be copied over to a Panther Mac.

[Mayo]

I wouldn't sweat upgrading the new iBook; the differences between 10.3.9 and 10.4 are not remarkable. If you plan on upgrading to Leopard when it arrives next spring then wait to buy 10.5.  If you plan on sticking with 10.4 the price for a used 10.4 DVD probably isn't much these days and it is likely to drop even lower in coming months.

[kbeartx]

It's likely the reason it won't let you copy the backup files is that you're including OS system files. If you omit the system files, it should let you copy the backup [but you should be selective, and not tell it to copy EVERYTHING].

[Gregg]

QUOTE(Frances144 @ Dec 14 2006, 09:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have just found my 10.4 disks from my iBook and bunged them in.

Now it says "Alert - this software cannot be installed on this computer".  Why not?

That's just one 'l' short of a disaster!!!

You might have to rebung them.