wipe os x install xp on G4 PowerMac 2

[durham2]

Hi,
I didn't dare post this on a mac forum. I've inherited a power mac g4 running 2 PowerPc G4(2.9) CPUs. CPU speed 500mhz, L2 cache 1 mb and memory 1 gb. Bus speed 100mhz, boot rom ver. 4.2.8F1.

I want to disconnect and remove the current hard drive(not actually wipe it) and install xp on a new hard drive. I have a licensed copy of xp with the installation disks. I don't want to run both Mac and xp, rather xp only, so please don't explain about Paralel, Virtual Pc etc.

Am I about to run into bios issues if I try to boot the install disks on the G4? I've searched some Mac forums and of course this issue has never occured to mac users.

Thanks, Don Durham

 

[vacunita]

Unless the the architecture is the New Intel based one then you can't do it.

Mac's were not designed to support any kind of Windows OS until recently with the move to the Intel architecture.

But maybe someone more knowledgeable than me can chime in with a better answer.





----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[kmcferrin]

Can't be done. There was never a version of Windows XP for PowerPC. In fact, the last Windows OS that was available in a PowerPC flavor is Windows NT 4.0, though neither NT4.0 or 3.51 PowerPC versions would run on a PowerPC-based Mac.

If you want to run Windows on a Mac, your two options are virtualization (Parallels, etc) or, if you have a new Intel-based Mac, Boot Camp.

 

[durham2]

Thanks for your help and advice fellas.

I don't have the os x discs so it looks like I may have to try Parallels. (Even thought the Mac shop I consulted claimed they'd never heard of it, wishing instead to $ell Virtual Pc)

I haven't seen a stand alone copy of boot camp so guess that's a non starter.

Cheers, Don Durham

 

[BadBigBen]

The only way you are going to install XP on a G4 is to run it through a VIRTUAL MACHINE, such as Virtual PC or VMWARE...

or install Linux on it, then run VMware or Wine...

or sell it, most will pay a nice sum for it, leaving enough over to buy an intelbox and a pint of lager...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[kmcferrin]

You have to get Boot Camp from Apple. I don't know that they charge for it though. It used to be free when it was "in beta", but it's been officially released now. Not that it's going to help you in this situation, since you won't be able to run it on a G4.

 

[BadBigBen]

@kmcferrin - FYI aswell as others, unfortunately that is a NO-GO there for PPC based Macs... see the following:

Requirements

Apple's Boot Camp FAQ lists the following requirements:

* An Intel-based Mac with latest firmware
* A Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard installation disc or Mac OS X Disc 1 included with Macs that have Leopard preinstalled for installation of Windows drivers
* 5GB free hard disk space (15GB is recommended for Vista)
* A full version of one of the following OSes:
o Windows XP Home Edition or Professional with Service Pack 2
o Windows Vista (32-bit) Home Basic, Home Premium, Business or Ultimate

Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boot_Camp_(software)

What is Boot Camp?

Boot Camp is software included with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard that lets you run compatible versions of Microsoft Windows on an Intel-based Mac.

Source:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=306823

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[kmcferrin]

@kmcferrin - FYI aswell as others, unfortunately that is a NO-GO there for PPC based Macs... see the following:

That's exactly what I said...twice.

 

[BadBigBen]

oops- my bad...

<slaps himself>
I need to read to the end before I answer...
</slaps himself>

Plus, I did not mean to make it sound like an affront either... just info... My sincerest apology...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[kmcferrin]

That's OK. I just re-read my post and I sound like a jerk too.

Such is life on the Internets.