Easiest method to prevent losing vital data to hard disk crash is to backup repeatedly. Though Mac can start up from Mac Panther OS installation DVD and external Firewire drives, term "startup disk" usually means an internally mounted drive.

Instructions

Prepare to Backup Your Mac OS Panther Startup Disk

Step 1

Decide that you do have Mac OS X Panther (10.3.x) installed by go to "Apple" menu and choosing "About This Mac." The resulting box shows edition of Mac OS that is installed.

Step 2

Decide how many bootable drives you have by go to "System Preferences" in "Dock," below "Apple" menu or in "Applications" folder. Choose "Startup Disk" and see exactly where Mac OS Panther is installed. It might install in many places, but you desire to back up disk that generally starts up from.

Step 3

Calculate amount of data that you must back up by choosing proper drive icon on "Desktop" and selecting "Get Info" from "File" menu. The resulting "Get Info" dialog box tells you how much data is on drive you want to back up.

Step 4

Ensure you have sufficient single or dual layer DVDs to hold data that is on drive, or have extra internal (IDE or SATA) drive or external drive that is big enough.

Step 5

Have browser window open to these commands or to same instructions on Mac resource site. Have printed copy of these instructions useful if you lose Internet connectivity during procedure.

Backup to DVDs Manually

Step 1

Put in empty DVD in internal or external burner, and pull folders to its icon on "Desktop." You get an aware message when achieve DVD's capacity.

Step 2

Right click on DVD icon and choose "Burn Disc" from resulting Contextual menu, or highlight DVD with click and choose "Burn Disc" command from "File" menu. DVD will burn and be confirmed, after which you eject it.

Step 3

Keep on earlier two steps until you have backed up complete drive.
Backup to DVDs with a Backup Utility

Step 1

Get freeware or marketable backup utility, like La Cie's no cost SilverKeeper, and install it. Many basic backup utilities work in similar way.

Step 2

Begin SilverKeeper and establish backup routine for manual use per instructions.

Step 3

Take out DVDs once SilverKeeper burns them, carry on procedure until drive is totally backed up.

Backup Mac OS Panther Startup Disk to Another Hard Drive

Step 1

Find second drive's icon on "Desktop" and drag all folders from startup disk's "Home" directory to backup drive by yourself.

Step 2

Make use of SilverKeeper or favored backup software if you desire to establish automatic and not shown backup. Also put it up to run as you see procedure.