Imaging Your G3 Macs Using NetRestore With a Boot CD

For Use with iMacs (Bondi, Blueberry, Grape), G3 Towers B&W
Note: These models will not take the Tiger (10.4) image. They must be imaged using . Panther (10.3.9)
This same process can be followed for using your own custom image or installing a standard district image.

For this process you will need the following equipment and supplies:

1. One or more OS X Boot CDs (supplied)

2. Imaging Tools CD containing Firmware Updates (supplied)

3. (Optional) One networked Mac (preferably an eMac) running OS X. This computer would be needed to install your own custom image.

Note: USB drives used for this imaging process must be formatted as Mac Drives.
Step 1

Preparation

Firmware Update

For Imaging any G3 Macs without FireWire Ports.

1. Udate the Firmware on each computer to be imaged. Select the appropriate version based upon model of computer. See the docs and links in each firmware update folder. Firmware Update Info from Apple
Tip: For slotload iMacs and Blue and White G3 towers running OS 9.1 or better, you can update firmware over the web simply by going to:

Apple> Control Panels> Software Update and select Update Now. This will search for all updates required for these models including Firmware Updates. Select all updates and follow the instructions to update these computers.

Note: Slotload iMacs have to be upgraded to OS 9.1 to install the latest firmware update, 4.1.9. An image for that install CD.cdr is located on the Installs Server.

2. Have one or more OS X Boot CDs available.

3. Zap the PRAM of the computer to be reimaged.
Step 2

Boot the Mac

 a. Insert the OS X Boot CD into the target computer.

b. Boot this computer, while holding down the "C" key. This allows you to boot from the CD ROM Drive. NOTE: This may take 15 minutes or more.
Step 3

Setup

NetRestore

 Now that the target computer has booted from the cd:
a. Launch NetRestore from the Dock.
b. This window will appear.
c. In the NetRestore window change the settings to match those shown at the right.

Note: The path you type in the Source window may vary if you use your own computer to host images. The Target drive you select will be the hard drive on your target Mac. The name may vary from that shown in this example.

Troubleshooting: Sometimes the target hard drive does not appear once you have booted from the Boot CD. In those cases you will need to launch Disk Utility from the Dock and erase the target's hard drive. It should then appear again in the Target: window.
Step 4

Begin the Imaging Process

 a. Click the Restore button to begin the imaging process.

b. The progress bar should show a blue striped barber pole as it sets up the process. When a successful link to the remote image is established, a solid blue progress bar should appear.

Note: This process can take from 5 minutes to nearly an hour based upon location and connection speeds. Upon completion, your target computer will reboot using the new SW image.

Step 5

Modify Student and Teacher User Accounts

 a. Upon successful imaging, your computer should boot into the student account. There is no password for the Student user account.

b. Log-in as "Teacher." Check your training notes for the Teacher account password. Set up AppleTalk Printer or an IP Printer.

c. Rename the computer in System Preferences/Sharing.

d. For Macs to be used by teachers, set up Lotus Notes and ClassXP.

Step 6

Document Campus Modifications

 a. When finished with these modifications, modify the image as needed for your campus' customized needs. Reboot the Computer and test all of your changes. Make additional modifications as needed.

b. Record your campus modifications on the Software Specifications Document located in the Users/Shared/ directory. This document is meant to reside in the Users/Shared/ directory with an Alias to it located on the Teacher user's desktop to inform teachers of the SW and other features on their computer. This document when completed can be remotely distributed to all reimaged campus computers using Apple's Remote Desktop Administration Utility (A topic for another training session).
 

g3_osx_imaging_bootcd.html updated 10/28/05 - sj