Getting 10.4 onto an Indigo 366 clamshell?

[JEBB]

I have MacOS 10.3 on it but would like to upgrade to 10.4 for which I have the install DVD. The machine doesn't have an internal DVD drive. Can I use an external DVD drive or must I replace the internal drive. If so, which DVD drive works with that machine. Thanks.

[OWC Jamie]

External DVD works but sometimes can be tempermental. The way I do it is to use a Firewire hard drive - I have a drive with multiple partitions on it, and installers from 10.4 and 10.5 duplicated using disk utility on it.

http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?stor...1112529955

[PeterB]

Hi Jebb,

Easiest way to get Tiger onto that machine is to clone from another machine onto it, using the Clamshell in target disk mode.

You can replace the internal drive-- I myself have-- but the takeapart is a hassle, and you won't be able to continue using the original bezel without significant modification.

[MacArtist]

I did what PeterB suggested about Target Disk Mode with an Indigo iMac. Worked like a charm.

Start up the non-DVD Mac holding down the T key. It should show up on the surrogate Mac like a Firewire drive. From there, you should be able to install 10.4 by selecting the non-DVD Mac's hard drive and you are golden.

[Jimmypoo]

I do it in TDM all the time -- but does that unit HAVE a FW port?

I've been planning for about 4 years now - to have a basic install of every OS, saved to DVD, ready to reclone onto a drive (not that this is completely helpful here, without a DVD), so that just the basics - no iMovie, iDVD, etc., for machines that can't use it anyway, can be popped onto them, and also have a reasonable size, as in no languages, no printer drivers, etc.

One day I'll do it!

But Target Mode is great - because I don't think G3/400s were supposed to be Tiger-able, were they? Didn't that OS require a "G4" for install? Wouldn't know it by using it, that's for sure.

[PeterB]

Jim, yesssss, the 366 Indigo is the first clamshell to have Firewire. And I've done what you referred to -- put a basic Tiger install on a hard drive, use that to clone with to whatever. Saves a lot of time and hassle. The lowest machines I currently have Tiger on are the Blue and White G3/500's (450's stably overclocked). They run it just fine, given a good amount of memory and decent sized hard drive... only wish they could do TDM.

[Jimmypoo]

Same here on B/W. Removed G4 and put back G3 (@450), and Tiger was no challenge.

Just the disk controller and the B/White reputation for flaking out and screwing data on
drives, either via Target, ATA card or direct. Got 3 now that do it.

I booted t from my fresh Tiger mini first week I had it -- and within 5 minutes that drive needed
Diskwarrior and Disk Utility so the mini could boot ITSELF from it. I thought it might be
the CPU, so I removed it. Went back to OEM, tried a dozen different RAM configs (I have
about 10GB in 256 sticks) - all with same result.

I think that if I don't ever find a Sawtooth++++ for a drive farm, then this one should be
converted to primarily an OS 9 machine that can be accessed via the network, just for
data and music, buried in a room somewhere.

I'm almost relieved it isn't a Sawtooth - cause then I'd be looking at those damn 7448s!!

:-D

The 1GHz G3 at $120 does have some potential, but for 40% speed, when I have the
Mini -- why bother? If the mini isn't fast enough, I'll use the MacBook. Or one of the 10
iMacs in the garage (all Indigos).

Yes.... My name is Jim, and I'm a Mac-aholic. I'm also a Printer-aholoic and things that
connect via FW/USB-aholic too.