Small problem…
Customer has Mac, 2004, and its been updated to OSX 2012…
Given to her after a friend died.
I would love to reset the OS.
She didnt have the Apple KB, So am using PC style.
Iv tried about 6 different ways mentioned on the internet.
Using Win alt R or C and shift…it really dont want to enter recovery mode.
If nothing else, is there a way just to install Linux PPC??
@FaunCB has a lot of skill with this
kubuntu-ppc is a option and void-ppc. free bsd is a really good option(I haven’t played with it so ymmv) Debian has ppc dunno how updated.
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PowerPCDownloads
https://void-ppc.octaforge.org/
https://www.debian.org/ports/powerpc/
https://www.freebsd.org/platforms/ppc.html
Burn disk or USB boot hold t on start up
Have a gander at VoidPPC, but if its really needed and capable, I’d be looking at ubuntu mate 1604. Theres not much else that is “Desktop Ready” yet.
Keep in mind there may be issues with hardware acceleration because of old GPU drivers. However if the machine hase PCIe it will accept any up to date GPU. Have to use AMD/ATI if you want the newer stuff though, but a 9800GT or something on nouveau would work too.
I’d recommend in investing in a velociraptor (can be found used easy) or an SSD for boot though, and then a 1TB HDD for /home. As well, get the fastest ram kit you can afford for it. If its DDR1 try to find a 400MHz kit. If DDR2, 800MHz or 1066MHz. It’ll really boost the machine.
Alternatively, OSX 10.5.8 has some improvements from the PPC hacking community. Leopard rebirth, for example, updates the UI and installs a software center similar to the app store, but with PPC software. Theres also a modern PPC OSX browser from runecats, though for some dumbass reason I can’t remember the name. Just look up runecats web browser and you’ll find it.
Also theres an app called monolingual for OSX that strips all the un-needed architecture code out of the system, and apps, as well as strips out the language packs. This also speeds the system up A LOT. GeekBench score difference on my PowerBook G4 was 734 before monoling, and over 900 after.
Lemme know if you need anything!
Lots of info…
But is there way to get to Bios?? or the boot menu?? recovery??
Something tells me, that the OS on it messed up the DVD…
the DVD sits there and does its things, and after a time pops out the DVD (its blank DVD)
I dont know if it can boot from USB, and I have Simple on Flash. and it dont seem to like it booting.
It has a recovery Something prog, but wants DVD I think… But everything Iv read says it can ONLINE restore.
Tahnks ahead of time.
apple mac g5 have boot commands holding T on boot will access a boot target location menu.
the g5 does support target disc as usb
if you have a osx disc for the mac g5 you can fix it in recovery with the disc. 
or the grey disc
online restore requires the mac g5 recovery disc from my reading which is a grey disc 
She dont have the disk…and considering the age…didnt expect it…
Thanks for info…will use.
let me link you dmgs(iso) of the disc you need dual layer dvd cause its big
https://support.apple.com/kb/DL866?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
https://www.androidphonesoft.com/resources/burn-dmg-to-usb-drive.html
the dmg (iso) and methods of making boot media
These are awesome for booting ISO’s if you don’t have a burner.
OK…
Let say I open this System…
will I be able to replace the DVD or the HD>>>
and If I do… Will it baypass at the crapp…and Just let me install anything THat will work??
You can replace whatever you like but I’m not sure how that will help you install an OS on it.
It will bypass EFI…
It SHOULD ask me to install and mount a new OS…SHOULD.
AFAIK, EFI wasn’t introduced until the Intel Mac Pros. Idk what G5’s booted from…
What will it install though? I thought you didn’t have install media.
Assuming OSX 2012 means 10.8, you’re mistaken about something. G5’s cannot run anything past 10.5.
thuis Imac…
Mac Os X
10.5.8
1.5ghz power PC g5
512 meg.
1983-2005…
If I can install an HD or other without a bootable device will its ask?? then install PPC linux? Or am I guessing and hopping?
Yes that should work. It won’t ask, it will just boot from what’s available.
No sure how it works on this machine. With my Powerbook i had to manually boot from USB. Took some fiddling to get it to work. I worked with this SE post:
That’s all with a G4 though, so could be completely different for you…
I think you might be a little in over your head here.
It is an Apple device so nothing will just work if you are trying to do anything that Apple did not build. You would need to boot into the openboot and tell it to boot from the device that has the bootable media.
There is no uEFI and the BIOS is not a standard PC bios.
Also what is the end goal here. Is there an issue with the OS on it or are you just trying to wipe it and reinstall OSX? I think if you explain what you are actually trying to achieve, we may be able to better help you than just trying to throw a whole bunch of media and boot stuff at you.
Ok um…
Buddy I really don’t know how to say this, your machine has no EFI. Theres no bios, no real menu’s aside from holding the normal keys to get to different options. Such as:
ALT/OPTION = disk / boot select
T = Target Disk Mode (if you have another mac on hand and 10.1-5 imaged you can mount the machine on FW400 and get direct disk access)
I think N gets you network boot?
ALT+Clover+O+F = openfirmware console
in which
if your machine is compatible, and you have linux / osx (10.1-5) on a usb you can do
boot ud:,\\:tbxi and boot off of a usb stick, IF THE MACHINE IS COMPATIBLE, NOT ALL ARE. Though there are ways to get it compatible, but that also requires OSX.
You do realize you can find osx 10.5 online right. Like its not even hard. I’m not suggesting torrents, its just around on blogs and forums.
I won’t link because warez.
But uh.
Literally google osx 10.5 dmg.
At least thats what I did a few days ago.
I think theres no OS installed is the deal.
Also @ECA nothing over 10.5 has PPC compatibility. So its either linux, or tuning 10.5. Tuning isn’t an issue, its just a process like setting up any other OS.
Also recovery mode was introduced well after the G5’s were out the door. Like by 10.7, which was 2012 or 2011.
Just pm me lol ffs what a mess
https://void-ppc.octaforge.org/live/20190901/
Desktop images just dropped today. Maybe this will help you out 
alternatively I can show you how to tweak 10.5.8 to run like a champ.