OS X version 10.3 Installation QuickStart

Macintosh OS X version 10.3 Installation QuickStart

Before the Upgrade

1. Check your hardware and firmware for compatibility.

Minimum Requirements

PowerPC G3, G4, or G5 processor.

2GB hard drive space.

128MB of RAM (256MB or more recommended).

Built-in USB.v
Built-in display or Apple-supplied video card.

You will most likely be able to run Panther if your Mac was produced within the last four years. Any iMac, eMac, iBook, PowerBook G4, Power Mac G4, or Power Mac G5 can run Panther, as long as it has adequate RAM.

2. FireWire hard drives

If you have an external FireWire hard drive, read the official statement from Apple below.
Important Note: Apple has identified an issue with external FireWire hard drives using the Oxford 922 bridge chip-set with firmware version 1.02 that can result in the loss of data stored on the disk drive. Even with the improvements available in this update, Apple recommends you update the firmware on your FireWire drive. Please contact your drive manufacturer for more information.

3. Back up important documents.

Back up all your important files, including your Eudora Folder and Explorer Favorites.

4. Login Items

Login Items must be disabled before you install Panther. To disable Login Items:

Select SYSTEM PREFERENCES from the Apple menu or from the Dock.

Open the LOGIN ITEMS pane in the System Preferences window.

Record all the items in the list on a piece of paper.

Select each item and click REMOVE until the list is empty.

Quit System Preferences.

5. Mac OS X Firewall

Mac OS X has a firewall that is, by default, turned off. If you have turned the firewall on, you must turn it off before proceeding with the upgrade. If you have not turned the firewall on, or have no idea what a firewall is, please proceed to the next step.

6. Verify your hard disk.

Before installing Panther, you must verify and repair your hard disk. To do this, follow the steps below.

Insert the first Panther CD, run the installer, and click the RESTART button when prompted.
When your computer boots from the CD, choose INSTALLER > OPEN DISK UTILITY.
Select the volume on which you want to install Panther, then click the FIRST AID tab.
Click REPAIR DISK and wait for the repair to finish. If errors were repaired, click REPAIR DISK a second time. Do this as many times as necessary to make sure that the disk is completely error free.
Quit Disk Utility and reboot you computer from the hard drive.

7. Verify your disk permissions.

You should also verify and repair your disk permissions. To do this, follow the steps below.

Launch DISK UTILITY from Applications > Utilities, then click on the FIRST AID tab.

Select your hard drive and click the REPAIR DISK PERMISSIONS button, then wait for the repairs to finish.

Quit Disk Utility and restart you computer.

The Upgrade

1. Run the Panther installer.

Insert the first Panther CD and double-click on INSTALL MAC OS X.

Click the RESTART button and enter your ADMINISTRATOR password to have your computer boot from the CD.

2. Language Setting and License Agreement

Select your preferred language and click the CONTINUE button.

Once you have passed the Welcome Screen and read the Read Me file, read the License Agreement, click CONTINUE, then click AGREE.

3. Make final selections and begin upgrade.

Select the drive on which you want to install Panther, then click CONTINUE.

Click the CUSTOMIZE button, then uncheck LANGUAGE TRANSLATIONS.

Click UPGRADE to start the upgrade process.

After the Upgrade

1. Verify your disk permissions.

Once Panther is installed, you need to verify your disk permissions again. To do this, refer to step 7 in the "Before the Upgrade" section.

Written by: Adrian Wilson '07