Ubuntu
ubiquity package

install linux on ibook g4

Asked by Gary Mercado

hi,
i have here with me an ibook G4 . old machine..
given to me by a friend for fixing his car.
no OS , just a grey screen when i turn it on and a flashing "question mark" icon.
i was told it needs an OS, a mac OS 10.3xx or something, as it is the preinstalled OS
but my friend don't have the original copy of the OS.
so i am thinking of installing linux on it, but which linux is possible for this
dysfunctional apple machine ?

what linux can i install and is it really possible to install linux on it ?
or should i just turn it on to lit the screen and use it as a lamp shade.?

thanks
gary

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Theodotos Andreou
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Best Theodotos Andreou (theodotos) said : 		#1

G4 has a PPC processor not intel. It will be possible to install Linux on it but not a current version of Ubuntu. You can try the PPC port of debian or yellow dog:

http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/5.0.7/powerpc/iso-cd/ (I suggest to try the debian-507-powerpc-xfce+lxde-CD-1.iso as it has a lighter GUI)
http://www.yellowdoglinux.com/support/downloads/

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Mark Rijckenberg (markrijckenberg) said : 		#2

That is not true. Ubuntu 10.10 is available for download for the PPC (PowerPC) processor here:

http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ports/releases/maverick/release/

I recommend getting the alternate version of the install cd, because it easily fits on a 700 MB CD. You can get it here:

http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ports/releases/maverick/release/ubuntu-10.10-alternate-powerpc.iso

Even current daily builds of Natty (11.04) are available for download for the PowerPC architecture.

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Theodotos Andreou (theodotos) said : 		#3

@Mark. Sorry for the mis-information. I wasn't not aware of the PPC port. Is it officially supported or is it a strictly community project?

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Mark Rijckenberg (markrijckenberg) said : 		#4

No problem. I believe it is strictly a community project, as described here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_(operating_system)

I installed Ubuntu 10.04 (powerpc port) on my dad's ibook G4 (ppc) and it works really well. I think it is a high quality port. To view Youtube video's on his ibook G4, I manually compiled minitube from source code. It works but there are ugly interlacing issues. So the video quality is half the quality you get on x86, at least on that specific computer.... Nevertheless, it is still possible to view Youtube video's this way....

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Gary Mercado (gary18) said : 		#5

hi theodotos,
thanks for reply.
i will save the link you gave and visit it once i am not busy again with my shop.
i will let you know the result soon,
for now i will consider this solve..
i have not seen or heard such linus OS that can use to mac ibook
and i don't have any idea how it will run and perform.
i hope it will as close as ubuntu performance...

ok, again, thank you

Revision history for this message
Gary Mercado (gary18) said : 		#6

hi, mark
thanks for posting info and suggestion.
i will also try your recommendation..
i will save the link you posted and work on this ibook as asoon as i finish my shop work.

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Gary Mercado (gary18) said : 		#7

hi, mark
thanks for posting info and suggestion.
i will also try your recommendation..
i will save the link you posted and work on this ibook as asoon as i finish my shop work.