How can I reformat a P-P-P-Powerbook G4 without disc?

[Q]

About a year ago I traded for a used Powerbook G4 from here on AT for my mom. The computer is in great condition, works for her needs (internet), but the thing is terribly slow. If this were a Windows computer, I would be running some cleaning to speed it up, but of course, Mac doesn't have this (or as far as I know, and yes I have downloaded some things but they didn't help)

Anywho, I want to do a reformat to get it to it's original state. There is literally nothing needed on it except for Firefox, so I don't need to back anything up.

Now, I'm guessing I have to boot from a disc given by Apple, but since I got it used I don't have it.

It's running OSX 10.3.9.

EDIT: I mean the Powerbook is for my mom.

 

[umrigar]

i might be able to image a DVD from a 10.4.2 Powerbook G4 set I have in my possession.

not sure if it will install on yours, but often newer discs will work on older hardware.
the reverse is not true

 

[rdp6]

You could look for a retail copy of Leopard.

 

[secretanchitman]

About a year ago I traded for a used Powerbook G4 from here on AT for my mom. The computer is in great condition, works for her needs (internet), but the thing is terribly slow. If this were a Windows computer, I would be running some cleaning to speed it up, but of course, Mac doesn't have this (or as far as I know, and yes I have downloaded some things but they didn't help)

Anywho, I want to do a reformat to get it to it's original state. There is literally nothing needed on it except for Firefox, so I don't need to back anything up.

Now, I'm guessing I have to boot from a disc given by Apple, but since I got it used I don't have it.

It's running OSX 10.3.9.

EDIT: I mean the Powerbook is for my mom.

leopard will work...but how fast is the cpu and how much ram do you have? 1ghz and 1GB of ram at least im hoping...

 

[zacharace]

leopard will work...but how fast is the cpu and how much ram do you have? 1ghz and 1GB of ram at least im hoping...

Yeah, I think we need the exact model/specs of OP's PB; there's a huge difference between a 500mhz TiBook and a 1.5ghz hi-res AlBook.

 

[Q]

I'm not looking to spend any money, IIRC it's a 1ghz PowerPC CPU and 768mb RAM.

G4 Aluminum -- she literally just uses Firefox on it, nothing else.

 

[umrigar]

I'm not looking to spend any money, IIRC it's a 1ghz PowerPC CPU and 768mb RAM.

G4 Aluminum -- she literally just uses Firefox on it, nothing else.

do you want a copy of the discs in my possession? i won't have them for more than about a week.

 

[Keitero]

A copy of Tiger will work fine on a machine of those specs. I'm sure you can buy a copy for around $50 - $80.

 

[victorm]

you can order another disc against the serial number of the machine - just buy it through a distributor (bricks and mortar, preferably). alternatively you can "find" one and burn it to a disk yourself. Leo is too much for that configuration, as someone above suggested, although you can try to trim it down once installed if using only Firefox (aka Internet browsing only).