iBook G4 running Tiger 10.4.11

ic1male · 13 Aug 2018 at 18:56

Is there any way I can restore the computer back to its default settings without requiring the disc that came with it? I guess Apple didn't have a recovery partition back in 2003 or whenever it came out.

Failing that, how can I tidy the computer up? It was at 100% of disk space used so I went into single-user mode and deleting the iTunes folder which gave me 13% space free but I'd like to go further and try and get it as streamlined as possible.

It's only for a bit of fun.

ChrisD. · 13 Aug 2018 at 18:57

Can you boot using recovery mode (Cmd + R)?

Although I think at that OS level you need the DVD.

ic1male · 13 Aug 2018 at 19:03

I'll try Cmd+R but it seems like I might need to find somewhere that is selling ye olde generic Leopard DVD.

MagicBoy · 13 Aug 2018 at 19:11

ChrisD. said:
Can you boot using recovery mode (Cmd + R)?

Nope, thats an Intel Mac 2011 onwards feature...

OP - let me have a look, see what I can dig up. Would you have the machine identifier handy? It'll be something like "PowerBook x,y"

ic1male · 13 Aug 2018 at 19:19

System Profiler says Powerbook6,7

Feek · 13 Aug 2018 at 19:31

Just checked and I've got a Snow Leopard DVD but not Leopard. Shame, you could have had it.

PiKe · 13 Aug 2018 at 19:37

No DMG available via a torrent site?

ic1male · 13 Aug 2018 at 19:49

Feek said:
Just checked and I've got a Snow Leopard DVD but not Leopard. Shame, you could have had it.

Thanks for your email message.

I too have a Snow Leopard disc but it's for Intel Macs only.

Feek · 13 Aug 2018 at 20:02

You should be good with Leopard if it's a 2004/2005 iBook G4, MacTracker lists 10.5.8 as the most recent version. If it's the 2003 model then depending on the clock speed you'll need either 10.4.11 (800MHz) or 10.5.8 (933MHz+). Good luck!