Okay, say I was still running, oh I don't know, 9.2

[yewberry]

on my g3. Yes, imagine it's a blue and white g3 running 9.2.2...I'm properly embarassed. :blush: (I've just never felt the need to update.)

I have, in front of me, OS X. It's 10.1 and I'm thinking about using it! (Disclaimer: I tried to install panther the other day, and that's a definite no go.)

What should I know about OS X before I jump in? Are there dangers lurking around every corner?

Oh, and you should also imagine that I'm a complete doofus about computers and respond as such.

Thank you!

edit: since when is there a "v" in definite?

[architect359]

1. Why wouldn't Panther run on your B+W G3?

I was under the impression that it was covered? I've heard that it runs very slow but it still runs. Anyway, I digress. I've gone the route from 7.5.5 to 10.1 to currently 10.3.9. I don't believe that there are dangers - unless you intentionly do something. For instance, the terminal app = don't touch unless you know what's what i.e., wrong input on the command line and you could kill your machine. I think that's the most dangerous tool to play with. Other than that, its not a steep learning curve to get familiar with the OS. You should try to upgrade as far away from 10.1 as you can - in my opinion, the 10.1 series was basically the beta stage. Try 10.2 at the least. Good luck and hope you enjoy the upgrade. :-)

<edit> ps: no need to be embaressed. I was on my ol' '030 Apple IIci while it seemed that everyone was switching over to the PowerPC platform.

[yewberry]

2. I tried and tried

but there was no joy in mudville with panther.

I have all of the system requirements listed, but it simply would not recognize the software disk...just plain wouldn't respond. (When I tried to install, I got a message saying that I needed to restart. When I tried to boot up from the panther disk, it wouldn't even start up. No chime, just...nothing. Huh.) I got a third-hand explanation that the panther disk couldn't be read by the g3, but it'd be fine if I used my CD burner to install. Wha??

So, now I guess I will set up the OS X tomorrow. I think that I was half-remembering stories about OS X being buggy when it first came out and looking for reassurance.

Thanks so much for your input!

(PS--I had a IIci, too...used it all the way up 'til the advent of my blueberry imac!!)

[architect359]

4. Sorry to hear that

Now that Zorro mentioned it in the post below - I do recall that there had been a stink about the G3 machines, or at least the earliest versions.

I clung onto that IIci until the DVSE iMac came out. In fact, I have 10.3.9 running on that machine w/o a problem (so far). I wonder about Tiger - that may be too much for my iMac though. Anyway, as I mentioned before try 10.2 or if not, get as high up in the 10.1 series. If you're stuck with 10.1, I wonder if it's just better to get a more current machine or just stay with Classic? I mean, there's the Mac mini that's pretty affordable, or maybe trade in your B+W at a place like PowerMax. I understand that they'll take your old machine and give some credit back for the new one (which may not be much for a B+W at this stage). They also have refurbs and second hand machines. Oh, Smalldog Electronics is another resource for refurbs too.

Anyway, hope this helps and good luck.

[Zorro]

3. Some early iMacs aren't OS X compatible

I remember Apple settled a class-action lawsuit about this a couple of years ago.

You might want to do some Googling to research this issue before you make the plunge.

[Poiuyt]

5. I installed Tiger (10.4) on a B&W Powermac

Could the problem be that the Panther install disks are on DVD and you have a CD drive in the B&W?

[yewberry]

7. Ding ding ding!

Yup, that's the third-hand answer I got.

Did you install Tiger with an external device?

[Poiuyt]

8. Yes

I used another computer hooked up with firewire target disk mode

[yellowdawgdem]

6. I am pretty much in the same situation

I am running 9.2 on a g4, and don't really see a reason to upgrade to osx. I mean, I see lots of reasons, but they are mostly things like having more choices for a browser, or being able to use stuff that is current. otoh, I don't really like the interface for osx, and am sticking with what I like. Also, it seems like the newest versions of osx , such as tiger, would overpower the slower macs.

[TeeYiYi]

9. What about Jaguar 10.2.8 . . .

You can install Jaguar onto a G3. That's the highest OS that will work with a G3. You're going to have to step up to a newer machine to move to Tiger (or Panther). I still use Jaguar on my G4 and it works great. I have my drives partitioned and I still have 9.2.2 as a startup on one partition. Jaguar is definitely better than 10.1. I'll be moving to Tiger soon though. FYI, I never boot in 9 anymore.

TYY

On Edit: I've been looking around on the internets and from what I can tell, you should be able to install Tiger on a G3. The system requirements for Tiger on Apple.com include the G3. I also read some individual success stories on different forums. So, nevermind about my comment re: "the highest OS what will work". That may have been true with Panther, but Tiger is a different animal. :D

[TeeYiYi]

10. Here's a link . . .

. . . to some good advice if you decide to upgrade your G3 to OSX.

http://resale.headgap.com/osxnotes.html

TYY

[rocktivity]

11. And here's where you can buy Jaguar for only $17 if you have a DVD drive

from Other World Computing. If you don't have a DVD drive, they sell http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/optical-drives">those, too.

:headbang:
rocknation

[emulatorloo]

12. Don't go less than 10.3 -- cheap 10.3 here:

http://www.megamacs.com/v1/index.php?action=view&pid=2286872&criteria=10.3

or here:

http://www.eshop.macsales.com/item/Apple/OSX103CD/

(PS Tiger works great on my Blue and WHite)

[politicat]

13. Go HERE: www.lowendmacs.com and read the articles on B&W OSX

http://www.lowendmac.com/ppc/g3c.shtml

and this article is really important:

http://www.lowendmac.com/lab/05/0301.html

Don't feel bad - lots of people still run OS9... and 8, and 7. Run what works best for your machine.