Mac OS X 10.3 installation - frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Find answers to Mac OS X Panther installation questions in this FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) document.

This article has been archived and is no longer updated by Apple.

This article supplements information found on the Mac OS X 10.3 Install and Upgrade Support Page and Panther Installation and Setup Guide (PDF). See those resources first.

Will Panther work with my Mac?

Check this page to make sure.


How do I install Panther?

Simply insert the Mac OS X Install Disc 1 CD (or Install DVD) and double-click the Install Mac OS X icon. You can also start from the disc to install. Insert the CD, restart, and press the C key as the computer starts.

You can also reinstall from a Mac OS X Panther Upgrade CD.


Can I choose which parts I want to install?

Of course! To customize which parts of Mac OS X 10.3 are installed, click the Custom Install button after choosing the installation volume.


Can I quit or cancel the installation?

In the unlikely event that you get cold feet, you can quit the Installer if you haven't clicked Install in the Easy Install or Custom Install pane. If you have already clicked Install, wait until installation finishes. Don't force the computer to restart while Panther is in the middle of an installation.


I see an "Archive and Install" choice. What's that all about?

In a nutshell, it's an optional way to "clean install" Panther. To learn more, read about the Archive and Install feature.


I use a third-party video card and have video issues when I start from the disc. What can I do?

See Mac OS X 10.3 Tip: Update Third-Party Video Card Drivers Before Installing.


My Mac should work with Panther, but it doesn't install. What can I do?

In most cases you won't run into any issues installing Panther if your Mac meets the System Requirements.

If installation stops on disc 2 and a message like this appears in the Install Log, "Can't open package /Mac OS X/Library/Receipts/iTunes.pkg (there was an error reading the file iTunes.bom)," see Mac OS X 10.3: Upgrade Installation Stops at Disc 2, "iTunes.bom" Message in Log.

For other troubleshooting tips, see Mac OS X: Troubleshooting installation and software updates.


What other applications come with Panther?

With your installation you get the popular Mac OS X applications you'd expect, such as Address Book, Safari, Mail, DVD Player, iChat, Chess, and Calculator.

These great applications are also installed with Mac OS X Panther:

  • iTunes
  • iMovie
  • iPhoto
  • iCal
  • iSync
  • Internet Explorer
  • Stuffit Expander


AppleWorks, iDVD, and Keynote are not part of the Mac OS X 10.3 installation. If your computer came with one of these, use can reinstall them using the Software Restore discs, or the disc that has the application's name on it.

Some computers come with third-party applications such as World Book, Quicken, or QuickBooks. These applications are not included with Mac OS X Panther. To reinstall these applications, follow the Software Restore instructions for your computer.


Where's Mac OS 9?

Mac OS 9, for Classic, isn't on Mac OS X 10.3 discs and doesn't get installed when you install Panther. To install a Mac OS 9 System Folder, use a Mac OS 9 CD or follow the Software Restore instructions for your computer.

Also see How to reinstall Mac OS 9 or recover from a software restore and How to Perform Mac OS 9 Clean Installation With Restore CDs.


Three CDs full of great stuff! What's on each one?

Each of the following is installed by default unless otherwise noted. Install DVDs contain all the following on one disc. For "multiple CD" disc sets, here's what is on each disc:

CD 1
Essential System Software
BSD Subsystem
Language Translations
Additional Asian Fonts (1)

CD 2
Additional Applications (listed above)
Additional Speech Voices
Canon Printer Drivers (2)
Epson Printer Drivers 1 (2)
Gimp-Print Printer Drivers
Hewlett-Packard Printer Drivers (2)
Lexmark Printer Drivers (2)

CD 3
Fonts for Additional Languages
Epson Printer Drivers 2 (2)
X11

(1) May or may not be installed by default, depending on language selected at beginning of the install.
(2) For more information, see Mac OS X 10.3: Raster (ink jet) printer drivers included.


I don't think I need "BSD Subsystem," do I? I don't use UNIX applications.

Many Mac OS X applications rely on this component. You should probably install it.


Panther installed, but I wasn't asked for CD 3. Is something wrong?

If you perform an Easy Install, or do not choose to install any of the items contained on CD 3 (such as X11), you will not be asked for CD 3 during the install.

Some Epson Printer Drivers are on CD 3. If you need one, see Mac OS X 10.3: Raster (ink jet) printer drivers included.


Panther's already installed and updated. I need to reinstall the original version from CD. How do I downgrade?

See Mac OS X: How to Reinstall a Prior Version. You usually should update to the latest version of Mac OS X Panther after you reinstall.

If some applications don't work after you reinstall an earlier version, see Mac OS X: Applications Don't Work After Reinstallation.

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