Need help with a MAC G4, want to install windows but sure how

[Mytime34]

I have a G4 that was basicaly given to me and i want to set it up where i can use either MAC OS or WINXP

I do not want to use any emulation programs. I did some resaerch and found that almost all of the parts inside the MAC are actually regualr pc stuff

I was just wondering if the windows operating system is able to work under the power mac processors.

Any help would be great

 

[Rallispec]

won't work

 

[pulse8]

XP on a Mac won't work, but you can install Linux onto it.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Mytime34
I was just wondering if the windows operating system is able to work under the power mac processors.

AFAIK it's not possible, not unless you use a SLOW ASS Windows emulation program like Virtual PC or Soft Windows.

and when I saw SLOW ASS I mean S L O W A S S.

 

[Jzero]

You can't use Windows. The bus architecture doesn't matter in light of the fact that Windows was designed to be run by an x86 processor and PPC has a totally different instruction set.

Your only options are MacOS, The BeOS, or some flavor of linux/BSD.

 

[Platypus]

Get linux, you'll be happier with it anyway.

 

[Rallispec]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: Mytime34
I was just wondering if the windows operating system is able to work under the power mac processors.

AFAIK it's not possible, not unless you use a SLOW ASS Windows emulation program like Virtual PC or Soft Windows.

and when I saw SLOW ASS I mean S L O W A S S.

exactly.

if you cant stand MacOS. install linux.

 

[Viper GTS]

Considering that PC and MAC processors use totally different instruction sets, it won't work without emulation.

x86 vs RISC, two totally different languages.

Viper GTS

 

[Mytime34]

I like the MAC os, i was hoping that i could play some of the newer games on it. It has the dual 800mhz procs

 

[hoihtah]

i wonder how long it'll take before powermac4ever comes in here to evengelize macOS.

 

[Mytime34]

thanks guys for the help

dont worry i am not migrating to MAC, just trying to play around with it.

 

[rhinox99]

Since the NT4 workstation box says that it requires "personal computer with a 486 or higher processor, or RISC_based workstation with Alpha, MIPS R4x00, or PowerPC processor", wouldn't that mean that you can install NT4 on a mac? I've never tried it myself, I'm just very curious

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: rhinox99
Since the NT4 workstation box says that it requires "personal computer with a 486 or higher processor, or RISC_based workstation with Alpha, MIPS R4x00, or PowerPC processor", wouldn't that mean that you can install NT4 on a mac? I've never tried it myself, I'm just very curious

$5 says you don't have any versions except the x86 version.

Viper GTS

 

[MrMilney]

Originally posted by: Mytime34
thanks guys for the help
dont worry i am not migrating to MAC, just trying to play around with it.

Originally posted by: hoihtah
i wonder how long it'll take before powermac4ever comes in here to evengelize macOS.

Careful, some Mac lovers on who post here will also crucify you for writing it MAC (all caps) instead of Mac. I've seen them do it in at least two other threads.

 

[rhinox99]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: rhinox99
Since the NT4 workstation box says that it requires "personal computer with a 486 or higher processor, or RISC_based workstation with Alpha, MIPS R4x00, or PowerPC processor", wouldn't that mean that you can install NT4 on a mac? I've never tried it myself, I'm just very curious

$5 says you don't have any versions except the x86 version.

Viper GTS

So what's the story on the RISC version?

 

[Kenazo]

Windows is not going to happen without emulation. As noted already, you can install linux etc. You can dual-boot linux and MacOS.

If you decide that doesn't work, pm me if you want to sell it!

 

[hoihtah]

Originally posted by: rhinox99
Since the NT4 workstation box says that it requires "personal computer with a 486 or higher processor, or RISC_based workstation with Alpha, MIPS R4x00, or PowerPC processor", wouldn't that mean that you can install NT4 on a mac? I've never tried it myself, I'm just very curious

i do remember this being a possiblilty...
it was on my mcse NT4 book.

but if i recall correctly,
it is not possible to put nt4 on a mac.
as apple decided to stray from prep standards.

or something to that degree.
i forget. it's been a while.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: rhinox99

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: rhinox99
Since the NT4 workstation box says that it requires "personal computer with a 486 or higher processor, or RISC_based workstation with Alpha, MIPS R4x00, or PowerPC processor", wouldn't that mean that you can install NT4 on a mac? I've never tried it myself, I'm just very curious

$5 says you don't have any versions except the x86 version.

Viper GTS

So what's the story on the RISC version?

A compiled executable has to be compiled to work on a specific instruction set. There may be versions of an OS available for multiple platforms, but you have to have a version that is compiled for the platform you want to run it on.

Basically you can't take your x86 NT CD and drop it in a DEC Alpha machine and expect it to work.

Viper GTS

 

[hoihtah]

Originally posted by: MrMilney

Originally posted by: Mytime34
thanks guys for the help
dont worry i am not migrating to MAC, just trying to play around with it.

Originally posted by: hoihtah
i wonder how long it'll take before powermac4ever comes in here to evengelize macOS.

Careful, some Mac lovers on who post here will also crucify you for writing it MAC (all caps) instead of Mac. I've seen them do it in at least two other threads.

little do they know...

MAC and Mac is a two different thing...

like MB and Mb is.

 

[ElFenix]

they used to make cards that were a pc in a slot... processor, north bridge, memory... sorta like sun's PCi card for its computers... that might work. it would probably be more expensive than a pc though.

 

[hoihtah]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
they used to make cards that were a pc in a slot... processor, north bridge, memory... sorta like sun's PCi card for its computers... that might work. it would probably be more expensive than a pc though.

not to mention those cards being too slow to do anything effective.

 

[Palvaran]

It can be done. You would install Virtual PC 5.0 on your System and then select your image of Windows. If you want to play games, especially games that make use of your internet connection, you are going to have a slightly more difficult time thanks to the emulation of the ports under the OS. EverQuest for example is rather complicated to get running in this way. The main thing you will need is memory...lots of it. If you are running OS9 you will be using about 45MB for the OS in your main system memory. Then if you run Virtual PC and your Windows Image of say Windows 2000 tack on an additional 90MB or so. You are already using up over 128MB of memory alone, exlcluding your game, and will have to then goto your swap file. Additionally, some of the G4's processes will be running and emulating so many program might not seem as zippy or responsive. Also, dont forget mouse polling and interrupts. But I digress....

Yes it can be done, but you will need a beffy system and it will never be as good as installing Windows on a pure Windows based machine thanks to emulation.

 

[silverpig]

Install linux.

Get VMWare.

Install windows.

Enjoy.


It's emulation, but it's pretty good. No real 3d acceleration, but if you don't care about games, then it's alright.

 

[PlatinumGold]

thanks guys for the help

dont worry i am not migrating to MAC, just trying to play around with it.

if u wanna play around w/ the mac, what would be the point of installing windows on it???

 

[BD2003]

If youve got a mac, just go with OS X. Its not that bad.