BROWSE HOW TOs

How to Format a Mac G4 Hard Drive

By eHow Computers Editor

Rate: (4 Ratings)

Upgrading your Mac will keep it running quickly and smoothly. If you have just installed a new hard drive on your Mac G4, you'll need to format it and then install an operating system (Mac's current operating system is known as OS X).

Flag Article

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Apple Mac G4 computer
Hard disk drive
Mac OS software

Format and Install on Your Mac

Step1

Use Apple's Disk Utility (OS X) or Drive Setup (OS 9), which should be included in your OS CD.

Step2

Insert your OS X CD and run the Apple Drive Setup. If your computer doesn't boot automatically when you turn it on, hold down the "C" key at the same time you switch it on. This will allow you to boot to your new drive.

Step3

Select the drive you want to format from the list of drives on your G4 (if this is your only hard drive, it will be the only one that shows up).

Step4

Initialize the G4 hard drive by clicking the "Initialize" button. This will bring up the "Initialize Options" panel.

Step5

Click the "Custom Install" button if you are an advanced user. In the next box, choose "Mac OS Extended" in the partition volumes section. Then click the "OK" button. Your drive will then format. It will be mounted on the desktop for you to use.

Step6

Troubleshoot any problems you have installing OS X by checking the Apple support website (see Resources below). It contains hundreds of articles related to support issues.

Tips & Warnings

Some Mac OS software now comes in DVD format. Before you purchase a new copy of Mac OS, be sure it is the right medium for your computer. If you don't have a DVD player on your Mac, for example, you won't be able to install the software!
While Macs are not prone to crashing like Windows PCs are, it is always a good idea to back up your files. Many users do this with external hard drives connected to their computers.
If you are reformatting a hard drive you already have, the best way to install the OS is to do a "clean install." This will wipe out the data on your hard drive, however. Be sure to back up before you reformat.

Who Can Help:

Resources

Apple support website for articles related to troubleshooting OS installation.

Comments

Sayedaziz said

Flag This Comment

on 4/13/2008 I formatted my G4 with OS X. Installation completed successfully. But when I tried to boot from hard disk the screen becomes unreadable and computer hangs. I left for hours to allow OS to synchronize with my sony monitor(CRT).

Any remedial suggestion will be highly appreciated.

Aziz