PowerMac G5 server

[Factorvsky]

I am trying to install Ubuntu server onto an old PowerMac G5 I got off craigslist. My problem is that the Mac won't recognize the USB as bootable. When I hit the alt key it doesn't come up as an option to boot from. Help??

[ProjectBox153]

I would just use an optical disc. But the G5 will hold you back depending on what you want to do on it. 

[Factorvsky]

Just now, Jamiec1130 said:

I would just use an optical disc. But the G5 will hold you back depending on what you want to do on it. 

It's going to be a basic storage server/vpn host. Also the optical disk is broken

[ProjectBox153]

Just now, mattbatc said:

It's going to be a basic storage server/vpn host. Also the optical disk is broken

Try a different USB drive?

[Froody129]

A G5 will use a lot of power and not be

all that powerful for what you're trying to do

[Pesukarhu]

You could put the install on a hard drive and use that to install to the other hard drive, the powermac g5 has sata, or at least the one my dad had had sata. Or you can try another optical drive, dont know about compatibility with the mainboard though. I think you can also boot from a firewire storage device, but you probably dont have any of those?

[Factorvsky]

5 minutes ago, Froody129 said:

A G5 will use a lot of power and not be

all that powerful for what you're trying to do

I'm using it as a temporary machine until I can afford a replacement. I just tried a different USB with no luck

[Electronics Wizardy]

11 minutes ago, mattbatc said:

I am trying to install Ubuntu server onto an old PowerMac G5 I got off craigslist. My problem is that the Mac won't recognize the USB as bootable. When I hit the alt key it doesn't come up as an option to boot from. Help??

what specific distro? You need the powerpc wersion. The normal one won't work.

 

You can often boot from a usb using openfirmware mode(cmd alt o f)

 

my g5 won't boot from usb and nees a cd to boot.

 

Id use a different system if you can, there very power hungry is there is almost no support, and there very slow.

[Factorvsky]

1 minute ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

what specific distro? You need the powerpc wersion. The normal one won't work.

 

You can often boot from a usb using openfirmware mode(cmd alt o f)

 

my g5 won't boot from usb and nees a cd to boot.

 

Id use a different system if you can, there very power hungry is there is almost no support, and there very slow.

I'll try the powerPC version. I am downloading ubuntu server 13.10 as I type

[Electronics Wizardy]

Just now, mattbatc said:

I'll try the powerPC version. I am downloading ubuntu server 13.10 as I type

ubntu server won't work, you need powerpc.

 

This is what you want http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current/powerpc/iso-cd/debian-8.7.1-powerpc-netinst.iso

[Factorvsky]

Just now, Electronics Wizardy said:

ubntu server won't work, you need powerpc.

 

This is what you want http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current/powerpc/iso-cd/debian-8.7.1-powerpc-netinst.iso

Okay, I am downloading it right now

[Electronics Wizardy]

Just now, mattbatc said:

Okay, I am downloading it right now

oops this one http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current/ppc64el/iso-cd/debian-8.7.1-ppc64el-netinst.iso

 

You want 64 bit

[Factorvsky]

8 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

oops this one http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current/ppc64el/iso-cd/debian-8.7.1-ppc64el-netinst.iso

 

You want 64 bit

No luck with either

[ProjectBox153]

5 minutes ago, mattbatc said:

No luck with either

How are you making the USBs? Copying the ISO?

[Factorvsky]

4 minutes ago, Jamiec1130 said:

How are you making the USBs? Copying the ISO?

unetbootin

[Electronics Wizardy]

Just now, mattbatc said:

unetbootin

use dd.

 

Then enter openfirmware mode and boot from it.