Would OSx86 install on a mac system?

[osmthi]

Well, my brother's friend gave me his old PowerBook G3 (which has OS 9.2). I don't really have any use for it, I just thought it would be cool to have. I'm wondering if I could use an OSx86 DVD to install OSX on that PowerBook? Or is the ISO strictly just for Intel processors...?

 

Thanks for your help.

[rohde]

OSx86 is only for Intel. You can get a PowerPC version for your G3 if you so desire (that is if your Powerbook has enought RAM and a large enough HD).

[onixwj]

Hey, in case you're interested in why lights come on when you flip the switch:

 

I'm wondering if I could use an OSx86 DVD to install OSX on [a] PowerBook [G3]?

This is slightly simplified, but if you understand, you get the gist of what this is all about: A computer company called Apple has a computer operating system (an "OS") called "Macintosh" whose name was later shortened to Mac OS. Until recently, Mac OS only worked on a certain class of central processing units (CPU's; the main microprocessor chip in computers) made by a company called Motorola. Recently, Mac OS has been made to work on a different class of CPU's -- ones made by a company called Intel. This is the same class of CPU's that every "IBM compatible" computer or "Windows machine" has used for the past 15 years. The first of these processors was the Intel 80386. The second was the 80486. By that time, other companies (e.g., AMD, Cyrix, etc.) were making chips that were compatible with the '486, so Intel's fifth chip in this line was called "Pentium" which was a name that they could trademark and spend lots of money on marketing in order to differenciate it from those compatible processors from its competitors. It's the kind of {censored} you get from advertising, marketing, and public relations in U.S. business. So anyway, when Apple decided to build its computers with Intel x86 chips instead of Motorolla (& later IBM) PowerPC chips, people named the port of Mac OS that works with those Intel chips (and with AMD 'x86 chips) "OSx86".

 

So duh, OSx86 definitely will not work with PowerPC hardware -- only with x86 hardware.

[sanity]

This is the same class of CPU's that every "IBM compatible" computer or "Windows machine" has used for the past 15 years. The first of these processors was the Intel 80386. The second was the 80486.

 

By 80386, I assume you mean 8088; and by 15 years, I assume you mean 26 years. (for IBM compatible, not Windows) (if you meant Windows, then when you said 15 years, I assume you meant 21 years)?

[macgirl]

OSx86 is only for Intel. You can get a PowerPC version for your G3 if you so desire (that is if your Powerbook has enought RAM and a large enough HD).

That's not entirely true. All of the OSX86 Installation DVDs are Universal (means both codes are included) so yes it is posible to instal on a PPC Mac. But with some models you need some help, there is a program called XPostFacto that let you install even on an older Macs, in my former job there was two PowerMac 8600, in one of the I could install Mac OS X 10.1.x, with the latest XPostFacto I could install up to Mac OS X 10.2.x, but I gues in less older Mac 10.4 could be installed.

[onixwj]

By 80386, I assume you mean 8088

No, while the first IBM personal computers (the IBM PC/XT) were based on the Intel 8088, and the later IBM PC/AT was based on the Intel 80286, "x86" has come to mean something (can't say for sure; I'm no micropressor expert) specific to the 80386 and beyond.

 

(if you meant Windows, then when you said 15 years, I assume you meant 21 years)?

Is that right? I was thinking Windows came on the scene around 1988.

[osmthi]

Thanks for explaining that onixwj, but you said that like I've never touched a computer in my life.

[onixwj]

Thanks for explaining that onixwj, but you said that like I've never touched a computer in my life.

You asked your question as if you've only touched a computer a few times. If you're unclear, you can't expect the rest of us to guess.

[Kevlar]

That's not entirely true. All of the OSX86 Installation DVDs are Universal (means both codes are included) so yes it is posible to instal on a PPC Mac. But with some models you need some help, there is a program called XPostFacto that let you install even on an older Macs, in my former job there was two PowerMac 8600, in one of the I could install Mac OS X 10.1.x, with the latest XPostFacto I could install up to Mac OS X 10.2.x, but I gues in less older Mac 10.4 could be installed.

 

 

macgirl is right like always.. I have taken a unpatched 10.4.3 and 10.4.4 "Intel" disc and successfully installed them on a G4 400mhz, 512mb ram with no trouble.

[onixwj]

All of the OSX86 Installation DVDs are Universal (means both codes are included) so yes it is posible to instal on a PPC Mac.

So are you saying that OSx86 is simply OS X version suchandsuch and beyond, rather than a different version of OS X?

 

with some [Apple computer] models you need some help, [and such help is provide by] a program called XPostFacto that [lets] you install [OS X] even on an older Macs[. For instance at my former job there were] two PowerMac 8600. n one of the[m] I could install Mac OS X 10.1.x, with the latest XPostFacto I could install up to Mac OS X 10.2.x, but I gues in less older Mac 10.4 could be installed.

 

I tried to quote this to say what you meant, but gave up. If you are a non-native speaker of English or you composed your post from a mobile phone while trying to get off the train, I apologize.

 

Regardless, XPostFacto lets you install later versions of Mac OS X (like 10.3 and later, I think) on old world Macs -- like the original PowerBook and earlier. It has nothing to do with running OS X on x86 hardware.

[macgirl]

Yeah, Im a non-native English speaker person, since I was born in Mexico and live all my life here.

 

But some of my errors are the blame of my two right hands I have, sometimes I wrote a word that it is incomplete but I do not notice until I hit the "add" button, sometimes I edit the post but sometimes I do not notice. Like "the" and "them", when I wrote I thought and feel that I pressed the last key but it is usual that I forget to type or press the last letter on some words.

 

Anyway I pointed that the recent installation DVDs work on PPC Macs because someone asked it for a PowerPC G3 PowerBook, and this thread begin with that, or I also did not understand it right?

 

Yeah, this is the PC Forum and not the Mac Forum but the thread was here, should I change it to the Mac Forum?

 

HaHa, just did it again I just wrote "shou" instead of "should" I get worse loosing now two letters instead of one.

 

Hey Metrogirl I do not need alcohol/be drunk to write dumb things

 

So duh, OSx86 definitely will not work with PowerPC hardware -- only with x86 hardware. <_>You said that so vehemently that sounds convincing, but the fact is that there is no X86 Mac OS X, there is Just Mac OS X that works in X86 Processors. Of course once you install some patches, like the maxxuss' some binaries are Intel only instead of Universal, that is the case of the Kernel, maxxuss strip the PPC code.

 

In the future when Apple decide that they no longer support the PPC Macs it will have a X86 Mac OS only.

 

Even the OSInstall package of the Intel iMac restore DVD works in a PPC Mac with the same modification for the generic X86.

 

Also, if you use slang words like "suchandsuch" we (non-native english speakers) do not get it.

[onixwj]

Macgirl: Please don't get defensive. What you wrote didn't make sense. We can probably guess what you meant, but why do that when we can just ask?

 

the fact is that there is no X86 Mac OS X, there is Just Mac OS X that works in X86 Processors.

So the answer to the OP's question is, "There is really no such thing as OSx86. Did you mean to ask whether Mac OS X version 10.4.3 will run on a PowerBook G3?" right?

 

if you use slang words like "suchandsuch" we (non-native english speakers) do not get it.

No problem. If you read something you don't understand, just ask and there are plenty of people here who can explain it to you. Please don't guess, because doing so just tends to lead to miscommunication. We're here to discuss technical issues, not chit-chat about the weather.

 

 

my brother's friend gave me his old PowerBook G3 [...] I'm wondering if I could use an OSx86 DVD to install OSX on that PowerBook?

There is no separate "OSx86" operating system. In order to answer your question, we'll need to get some more information and then go search Apple's Web site or maybe use Google to search the whole Web:

1. Which PowerBook G3 do you have?
   
2. Which version of OS X would you like to install?
   

[telmac5]

I installed the Intel OSX 10.4.4 on a PowerMac G4. It installs fine but some Intel mac features are missing like the RSS News screensaver.

 

There are two versions of OSX. One for PPC and one Universal PPC/ Intel which installs on Intel or Mac PPC.

 

I installed 10.4.3 PPC on a Powerbook G3 Lombard without Xpostfacto by plugging the hard drive in a desktop. Then recently upgraded to 10.4.5 PPC with the combined update, skipping past 10.4.4, However, 10.4.5 makes spotlight index the hard drive continUously, which makes the laptop unusable for hours. I disabled spotlight with SPOTLESS 1.03. now the old Powerbook g3 is pretty zippy with 10.4.5!

 

You need at least 128-256mb memory to run OSX on the Powerbook G3. If it's not a Lombard or Pismo, see OWC's OSX XpostFacto Center re: installation.

[macgirl]

Macgirl: Please don't get defensive. What you wrote didn't make sense. We can probably guess what you meant, but why do that when we can just ask?

Well if nobody didn't get it at all I grant, but if Kevlar get it and also posted before you I believe is not that bad to get it. There is a saying here in Mexico that says that there is no worse deaf than the one than does not want to hear.

So the answer to the OP's question is, "There is really no such thing as OSx86. Did you mean to ask whether Mac OS X version 10.4.3 will run on a PowerBook G3?" right?

10.4.1, 10.4.3 (both builds) and the Restore 10.4.4 (with a little edit) can be installed in PPC Macs, I don't know for certanty that they install on the PowerBook G3, but I since PearPC could install I believe it should because PearPC Emulates G3 PPC.

 

The term "OSX86" is an invention just to refering to Mac OS X running on X86.

 

Maybe Darwin can called somehow like that because there is a Darwin for X86 and Darwin for PPC, but even the sources are "universal".

 

Also I think that making different versions of Mac OS for X86 and PPC is an unnecessary effort.

No problem. If you read something you don't understand, just ask and there are plenty of people here who can explain it to you. Please don't guess, because doing so just tends to lead to miscommunication. We're here to discuss technical issues, not chit-chat about the weather.

Sure, no problem.