GC8

I have an old slot-loading iMac (currently running OS 9.x), which Id like to upgrade to OS 10.4 and use for t'internet: simple so far..... The optical drive doesnt work, so I'll have to use an external USB device. Will this be possible and can anyone point me in the right direction for guidance/advice?

I worked in the IT industry for a good while, so Im competent, but I know next to nothing about Macs; and nothing at all about <OS-X.

Any help appreciated, but pointing and laughing wont be...

Markus

What type of external USB device are you on about? CD/DVD drive? If so then it might work, if of course there are OS 9 drivers for it, as I think OS 9 would still require drivers for external drives.

First choice would be said approach, pop in 10.4 disk into external USB drive, boot from it (reboot, hold down C key on keyboard to get it to boot from CD), then install 10.4

My second choice would actually be to have an external enclosure with firewire on it and a disk inside that has a partition that has had the 10.4 installer restored to it, then boot from said partition (pretty sure older machines, ie; pre intel based macs, could only boot from Firewire, whereas newer ones will do firewire and USB) and it'll run the 10.4 installer allowing you to upgrade.

ScoobyDoo555

3rd choice (as I did this with both of my kid's Imacs -

If you've got another Mac (with Firewire), connect the two up, boot the old Imac with "T" pressed down (puts the Mac into Firewire Target mode).....

The old mac's HD will appear on your new mac's desktop - run the CD/DVD from there, and install onto the old HD

Piece of cake

Dan

Running 2 Imacs with 10.4

RichB

That thing still working Dan?

ScoobyDoo555

LOL!!!

Yes, my friend

Got an Elegato EyeTV box on it, with a media drive, and she uses in her bedroom

Hasn't had an issue since I got it

She wants a feckin laptop now!! Just because wifey & I have MacBook Pros!! Cheeky little sod!! LOL!!

DAn

GC8

Unfortunately the slot-loader doesnt have a 1394 port, so I will have to attempt to use a USB-attached optical drive...

Markus

You sure it doesn't have Firewire on it? Got a model number for it by any chance?

The reason I ask is that I'm looking at the Mac Tracker app and the first slot loading iMac was introduced in October 1999, and it does list that it had 2 Firewire ports and 2 USB ports.

The other fact it reports is if it's the 350MHz version then the highest OS version it can run is 10.3.9, if it's the 400MHz version it'll run 10.4.11.

I mention the above as I don't want you to have to purchase an external optical drive to find out that it won't then actually run 10.4 at all.

Prior to that model, they were tray loading cd/dvd drives, and those machines did not have Firewire.

GC8

Certain. Only the 400MHz model has the 1394 feature: the 350MHz does not.

Simon