replaced HD ibook g4 - question on installing OS X

Hi, I'm pretty new to macs. I just replaced a failed hard drive on someone's iBook G4 and am now trying to install the operating system. I have the two CD's called "iBook G4 software install and restore." Using them, things go fine until it is time to "select a destination volume," where it doesn't show any volume to select. Running the apple hardware test off the cd shows that it detects the new hard drive, which is OK, and all the other hardware is OK too. So, what to check next? New hard drive is a seagate momentus 5400.3 ST9120822A. Many thanks for any and all assistance.

 

You need to partition the drive... I think. Put in the restore disk and wait to you get to the install screen. Click English or US or what ever it is to continue. You should see a menu at the top as you would if the computer had an OS on it. Click on utilities and choose disk utilities. Erase or partition the drive to your liking using Mac OS X Journaled. Exit disk utilities and continue with the install.
Also make sure the discs are for that computer specifically. I know its obvious, but if there for another type of computer it may not work. Also if that above doesn't work what OS version are you trying to install on what model computer. While you have the menu up click the apple and choose about this mac to see more.

 

Thanks for the reply, I have tried to go through disk utilities but all that shows up to select is the software DVD information and does not show a harddrive to select. I am also using the same software installation disks that came with the computer. The computer is an IBook G4 model number A1054 and I think it is just the original OS X that I am trying to install, Thanks!

 

Run Disk Utility from the disk and format the disk

**Oops nevermind - guess I was idle too long on the page before replying**

 

First off, I'm pretty sure that you have to format the disk as "Mac OS X Journaled", then you can install the OS onto it. It will be HFS+, just to let you know.

 

How do I format the disk if it shows no disk to select?

So, what are the possibilities here? It sounds like
1) I did a bad installation and need to try again, or
2) the new Hard drive is no good, or isn't compatiable, or I needed to do something with setting the jumpers, or
3) something else failed, and this resulted in the problem with the old and the new drive. Hard drive cable? Some sort of hard drive controller? I don't know what the possibilities are.
4) something else about the OS installation and HD formatting, a subject on which I'm pretty ignorant.
Thanks for the help and any reccomendations.

 

I would double check the jumpers for a start. Here is a diagram http://www.seagate.com/support/disc/iguides/ata/100398877a.pdf
You want Cable select, but if doesn't work try just single drive.
If possible try putting the drive in an enclosure or another computer to make sure it works.
I checked, the hard drive should be compatible, so if nothing works give Seagate a call.
You could also try using a leopard or tiger install disk, you probably trying to install jaguar. I have no idea if it will help, but the newer OS might be able to recognize the newer disk.

 

So are you able to get into Mac OS X Installation at all? (booting from the CD)

If so, you should have the Utilities menu and Disk Utility. You can format the whole drive from there...

 

Thank you very much for the help. As soon as I get a little time, I'll open it back up and see what I can see.

 

OK! I finally had time to revisit the laptop. One item I neglected to mention in my first post is that, when taking apart the machine, I noticed the hard drive connector was partly unplugged, a likely source of the trouble. However, as I had a new, larger hard drive in hand, I continued with the replacement. So, today I reinstalled the old hard drive, after double checking the jumper settings on the new one.

Now here's what I've got. Starting up the machine, I get a blue screen with a flashing globe, and then the globe turns into a folder with a question mark for a while. Then it starts, and works fine. This confuses me. Insight, anyone?

 

Here's what happens with the flashing globe:

http://support.apple.com/kb/TA25439

Just hold alt when booting, select 'Macintosh HD' (or whatever you named it) just as usual, and in System Prefs > Startup Disk, again choose 'Macintosh HD' (or whatever you named it). You'll never see that flashing globe again

 

Thanks, that did it. I again have a working iBook, fantastic. Just out the cost of the new seagate drive - perhaps I'll get an enclosure. Thanks everyone.