Installing 10.5 Leopard on a iMac PPC G5 via USB - Flash drive

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Tonza72 Author

Level 1

7 points

Installing 10.5 Leopard on a iMac PPC G5 via USB - Flash drive

Hi ...

I'm trying to re-install the operating system on my PPC G5 .

No matter what commands I execute in Open Firmware I can't the computer to boot from the USB - drive .

I restored the disk image (ISO) to the USB - drive on a computer, that has mac OS X Sequoia on it .

I used the Disk Utility to do this ... and Disk Utility displayed no errors whatsoever,

so I guess the restore operation went smoothly .

Anyone wanting to post some general commands here, that I could try and run in OF .

I've tried this and that and mainly get the "Can't open ..." thingy .

On one occasion it started to boot (from the USB - drive I guess again .),

but then immediately gave me the prohibited sign .

Some help here ...

Thanks,

/ T .

Earlier Mac models

Posted on Apr 21, 2025 10:20 AM

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Answer 1

Apr 21, 2025 11:06 AM in response to Tonza72

You'll need to use the System Reinstall CDs that originally shipped with the computer to restore the OS and the applications.

One other option may be to find an original retail disk with 10.4 Tiger or 10.5 Leopard and boot with that to reinstall the OS.

You cannot create a bootable USB with a Mac that is too new to run the 10.5 Leopard. You must create it with a Mac of the era that is capable of running 10.5; a Mac produced before mid-2009.

This is Apple's guidance for creating that bootable flash drive: Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Tonza72 Author

Level 1

7 points

Apr 21, 2025 11:12 AM in response to D.I. Johnson

So ... it fails booting from the usb - drive due to the reason the drive was made with a modern Mac .

I'm only trying to install with a USB - drive, c'os the internal SuperDrive is no longer in a working condition .

Wonder would it boot off of a external USB - DVD - drive ? ... I have two of those and a set of DVD - discs .

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Answer 3

Apr 21, 2025 11:28 AM in response to Tonza72

Tonza72 wrote:

Wonder would it boot off of a external USB - DVD - drive ? ... I have two of those and a set of DVD - discs .

I see no reason why it shouldn't boot from a compatible external DVD drive and the original discs.

I'd give it a try.

As for the internal SDrive... "no longer in a working condition"? What happens when you insert a disc?

If it just spits it out, it may be that the laser lens is dirty. Have you considered running a lens cleaning disc in it?

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Installing 10.5 Leopard on a iMac PPC G5 via USB - Flash drive

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