Re-installing Mac OS X Leopard on my Powerbook G4?

Question

Hi there,
I am an "still-learning" Mac OS X Tiger user and I bought my Powerbook G4 from a friend's sister 2nd hand, so I don't see her anymore.
The problem is this first user set an admin password and whenever i try to install some applications like the latest version of iTunes or iLife I just can not proceed, because I do not know the master - admin password.
So, what I want to ask is that, is there a simple way for first uninstalling the exsiting OS, which is MacOSX 10.4.2 Tiger, and installing a fresh OS, like MacOSX Leopard may be.
This thing is really simple on Microsoft Windows based operating systems, cus CD is bootable and I just switch 1st booting to CD from HDD on BIOS. I hope you ll guide me with a simple way like that.
Thanks for your help MAC Experts!

Answer 1

It is just as simple with a Mac.
PLace the Original Install Disk in and select Erase Install and it will re download the Operating System like it came from the factory without anything but the Operating System. If you choose Archive Install you will not be the Administrator and the old Passwords will remain.

Answer 2

Don's answer is basically correct, except that the original install disk (which I assume you got with the computer) for a G4 PowerBook could be Panther (10.3) not Tiger (10.4) or Leopard (10.5, which is not available yet). Check carefully, or you might end up going back to an older OS.

If the original disks are Tiger, you need to insert the system install disk and restart the computer while holding "c" on the keyboard. This will boot the computer from the CD and allow you to reinstall the OS from scratch.

If you want, you can skip running the installer and select Reset Password from the Utilities menu on the installer CD. You could then set up a new Admin account on the computer for yourself.

peace


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Answer 3

Here are the requirements: ac computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor 512MB of memory DVD drive for installation 9GB of available disk space Some features require a compatible Internet service provider; fees may apply. Some features require Apple's .Mac service; fees apply. It appears that you are good to go, from what I see.