my PowerBook G3 from way back when in 1999 has Mac OS 9.
i was wondering how to update to Mac OS X Tiger when it has no optical drive!!
if i cant update to Tiger, then i would like to upgrade to at least the Public Beta or the Mac OS X Server. I have all the necessary CDs, as i purchased every version ever since they came out.
I know that i can only install Mac OS X on Apple Machines, so an old *Apple* PowerBook should work, right?
I find it unusual that you don't have an optical drive for your '99 Powerbook... If you mean it doesn't recognise DVDs, you can then send your copy of Tiger back to Apple and ask to exchange it for a copy on CDs.
Also, i think only OS X up to version 10.3.9 is officially supported, so you will need this:
http://eshop.macsales.com/OSXCenter/XPostFacto/
If your G3 is the last generation that supports firewire (unlikely), then you can use another Mac and boot into target mode.
http://lowendmac.com/misc/06/0710.html
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?sto...050430005341450
I don't have a G3 though so i can't tell you much more, but i don't think you can do much without an optical drive of some description.
More info.......
There were a range of G3 Powerbooks give us a clue?!?
There were 2 that were available in 1999
One can Run 10.2.8
and the other 10.2.9
If its the PB with Firewire your laughing that is still supported and will run Tiger.
All you need then is an external Firewire CD/DVD drive.
Tell me a bit more about which model you have and I can be more helpful.
i have no idea which it is because it still runs OS 9.
it doesnt have a FireWire Port.
..........hm i wonder....
Well Its one of these puppies
Powerbook G3 OS 10.2.8 Max.
Powerbook G3 (Rev.2) OS 10.2.8 Max.
Powerbook G3 (Bronze Keyboard) OS 10.3.9 Max
its the first one! 
with the 233Mhz (no thats not a typo!) processor!
why in the world would you want to put tiger on a 233mhz computer?
bleh. cuz i hate OS 9
10.2.8 is your limit then mate, Grab yourself some Jag OS discs off Ebay, if your lucky you may come across them on CD instead of DVD.
But I would make sure your memory is maxed out (192MB max I believe)
Might be a bit sluggish though, but then again it will look a hell of a lot prettier
Minimum System Requirements:
Power Mac G3 or G4, iMac, eMac, PowerBook G3 or G4, or iBook computer
128MB of physical RAM
Supports all video cards shipped by Apple on Mac OS X-compatible systems. Quartz Extreme functionality is supported by the following video cards: NVIDIA GeForce2 MX, GeForce3, GeForce4 MX, or GeForce4 Ti; Any AGP-based ATI RADEON card. A minimum of 16MB VRAM is required.
QuickTime Pro functionality requires a QuickTime 6 Pro key. The QuickTime 5 Pro key will not work after this software is installed.
DVD Player requires a DVD-ROM equipped Macintosh with built-in FireWire.
yay. i have exactly 128MB of RAM! i have the Jag Discs already, but they're on DVD. maybe i can convert them to CD? (maybe?)
i do not have a firewire port. how would i do this?
You have to send the DVD to Apple and they will send you OS X on CDs. I think there is a fee to do that. Though i thought Jaguar came on CDs... i forget now, either way, I wouldn't bother.
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