How to Format PowerBook G4?

[Bawx]

I got a very old PowerBook G4 from my friend, but I want to wipe it clean, start fresh. No discs though. How can I do it?

It's running Mac OSX 10.3.9

[pdmcmahon]

Without install DVDs/CDs, you are somewhat short of options. If you have another PowerPC Mac with FireWire, you can clone it via FireWire Target Disk Mode, create a new admin account and purge your account which was copied over.

[Bawx]

I have another PowerBook G4 right next to me.

Can you explain how to do that, or link me to a place that explains it well?

The other Mac is my bosses, so I don't want to **** it up at all. Any risk in that with this way you described?

[pdmcmahon]

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661

[Bawx]

So I see my HD on the host computers desktop, but how do I actually format my HD?

[Nightkrawler]

http://macs.about.com/od/applications/ss/diskutilformat.htm

But you also can select "erase and install" on the leopard installation - be sure that you select the right volume on deleting.

[Bawx]

Wow that seems easy. How come no one told me about this before?

[Nightkrawler]

because those things are in the mac help already :p

so just to be sure you got install discs now?

if your g4 meets the requirements id install leopard on it not only for the features but also to supports most new-ish apps.

[Bawx]

no I don't have any disks. I need them for that? ****

[Nightkrawler]

erm if you just want to copy the hdd from another powerbook you don't need an install disc, but that wouldn't really be a fresh install (unless the install would be fresh that would be copied) - you are aware that when you format the powerbook you remove everything on it (including the installed OS)?

[Bawx]

Oh. I just want to format like I would on Windows, make it fresh, brand new.

[Nightkrawler]

Im afraid that you need install discs for that. Also install discs that are from other Macs (included in the box) won't work because they are only for that specific mac model so you need a copy of generic install discs or a copy of the ones that came with your PowerBook model. Try to get a Leopard install disc from Friends/eBay or other bays if your PowerBook still support it.

[Madoshi]

make a new user, delete all old users

delete any unwanted programs, for the most part there is no uninstall process for Mac OS besides dragging the program to the Trash

take a quick look thru the hard drive to make sure nothing is hiding there

that'll get you close to clean, but not quite

just as on Windows, for a full format and completely clean install you need a Mac OS X install disc. 10.3 (Panther) can be had for pretty cheap on eBay. else you can look for a preowned Tiger or (if it is 867 or better GR4) Leopard DVD, on mailing lists such as the popular Low End Mac Swaplist on Google Groups. they pop up often.

[Bawx]

Can I delete an admin account?