WTF is wrong with my G4 Powerbook?

[thirdlegstump]

I know from experience that OS X is picky about 3rd party ram so I pulled out the stick of Crucial I had and left just the Apple branded (Samsung) 512MB module in there. This is a TiBook 500MHz with 1GB memory. The Panther disks are brand new without a single surface scratch. I started a format and install installation with the easy install option and it's just taking way longer than I believe should be taking. OS 9 was running fine on it previously so I know that I have no hardware issues. Firmware is up to date and I did a PRAM reset prior to installation to clear out any issues.

I started the installation about 2 hours ago and the time remaining is going SLOWLY through the last 5 minutes. It's still on 2 minutes but it doesn't seem to be moving much. I can hear the CDROM spinning as usual. I think at this point it's stuck. I've had this problem with a few other G3 and G4's in the past but have always been able to resolve it by simply trying again. This one is being stubborn.

Help.

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

Have you ran OSX on this powerbook before? Did the install want you to do any firmware updates?

 

[thirdlegstump]

Yea it was dual booting with 9.22 and Jaguar. No it didn't ask for a firmware update.

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

Does seem aweful long for an OSX install.. Have you tried starting over? Maybe ask your question at Everymac.com forums if you don't get an answer here first.

 

[thirdlegstump]

Yea tried reinstalling again after a drive initialization. What a POS.

 

[thirdlegstump]

b

 

[imported_Phil]

Ah, Apple. Superb :beer:

 

[thirdlegstump]

Just heard from some people that it may be going to sleep during installation. WTF!?! That's ridiculous. Anyway it wasn't going to sleep since I keep messing around with moving the mouse anyway. Every step of the install is so freakin slow it's driving me nuts. It's no wonder that I strayed away from the Mac awhile ago. I was hoping to do some browser speed comparisons between a 500mhz Dell and this TiBook but it looks like it's not even going to happen.

 

[Anubis]

coudl be that teh HDD is going bad, i know that corrupt sectors make teh windows install take forever

 

[thirdlegstump]

Yea I'm going to later try replacing the drive and see if that's it. I just hope that that's NOT it since it's a REAL PAIN to open the case.

 

[addragyn]

Your TiBook is almost 5 years old so it could defintely be a dying drive. Besides the one in there is slow as hell anyway. However IMO it's harlding worth upgrading that machine unless you're using it for OS 9.


I've only had OS X install problems when I was overclocking.

Try this.

-boot computer, plugged into ac

-while booting hold ctrl + apple + o + f, you'll get the open firmware prompt
type "reset-nvram"
"set-defaults"
"reset-all"

-not boot your install cd by holding the c key down

-at the screen where you can choose your install destination, go to "install options"
-choose "erase & install"

-in the easy install pane choose "custom install"
-deselct all the languages, printers, and apps you don't need

-when the install starts it will have an option to verify your install disc, choose "no"

tip: when you get to the registration/welcome screen after installing OS X you can leave it blank by hitting apple + Q

for the latest firmware go to asu.info.apple.com

HTH

 

[thirdlegstump]

I've already done all of that. I'm no Mac novice : )