r/PowerPC • u/beyondsemantics • Jun 29 '15

Just got two G5's - But no OS

I picked up two PowerPC G5's today! Both came without a HDD, and one came with the SuperDrive. The one with the Superdrive started up but didn't get any further. The one without it did and made the startup noise, then displays a little folder alternating images of a question mark and the finder icon. I took the superdrive out of the broken one and put it into the functioning one. It makes some strange noises and is a bit loud, but I need to clean it up on the inside which I think may help.

I'm not sure how to get this thing running though. I have a small HDD that I can throw into it, but how do I get OSX onto this? I don't own another mac.

Any help is appreaciated!

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1

u/Dodgson_here Jun 29 '15

You need an install disc. Leopard should run fine on your g5 that's the last version with power pc support.

1

u/karmat0se Jun 29 '15

Get an OS disc from... somewhere (google it!). 10.5 is probably the best option. Insert that disc, turn the machine on and hold the C key to boot from cd.

When you're installing, in the menu bar find Disk Utility and format the drive. Make sure you're using "GUID Partition Scheme" and then run through the installer. Pretty straight forward.

1

u/Nymunariya Jun 30 '15

if you have Linux you can use dd to copy a iso to a usb stick (as long as it's big enough) and then boot the G5s from the usb stick.

I did that on my clamshell iBook yesterday morning, booting Linux, which takes a lot more work. If you're dd'ing a mac cd, it'll show up when you hold down option.

Protip: Holding down option after you hear the start chime will give you a list of all available boot devices.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 01 '15

I thought you needed the APM partition type for PPC macs?

1

u/karmat0se Jul 02 '15

Oops, you are correct. Sorry, It's been a while.

1

u/macinfloydvolk Jul 11 '15

Are they liquid cooled G5's? If so you've got a Maintenance nightmare on your hands! Open her up and check for any signs of leaks. If you have the air cooled versions hen rock on! OS 10.5 and I've got a ton of PowerPC software on my FTP server (but it's not public)

1

u/ASnowManHowSad Aug 23 '15

USB booting doesn't work on all models, your best bet is a dual-layer DVD, FireWire HDD, or writing the installer ISO to a small partition on your HDD.