mdmcxyz
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: G4 AGP 450 mhz, OS X, and OS 9.2.2 revisited-HELP

I am new to the group.  I am still eeking out use of my G4 w. OS 10.4.11 and OS 9.2.2, and using a Sonnet 1.2 Encore Processor, without any problem for years.

I could use Option key or Startup Disk to switch between the two OS's, but had been having increasing trouble with OS 9.2.2 finishing booting, and the screen looking very strange until it finishes.  Now, the Option key function doesn't work, and I can't reboot to OS 9.2.2 at all using Startup Disk.  I can use it in OS 10.4.11, and can use OS 9.2.2 in Classic mode, but all my music/sequencing software is OS 9.2.2, so I am dead in the water in that avenue.  I have tried clearing PRAM, NVRAM, resetting all via machine language, no change.  An old string here (A BRODY)  said he knew the URL to download OS 9.2.1 and 9.2.2 updates.  My questions are:  is my motherboard bad (ie, is the startup manager hardwired on the board?); does anyone know the URL so I can download OS 9.2.1 and 9.2.2 update?  Help, SOS, dying G4 needs assistance!  Oh, also, when I try to boot up from my old OS 9 disks, they don't boot, just get a grey screen w. a grid on it.

 

Michael

PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.4.11), 450 mhz, using Sonnet 1.2 processor

Posted on Jun 19, 2015 1:12 PM

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mdmcxyz

Q: G4 AGP 450 mhz, OS X, and OS 9.2.2 revisited-HELP

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  • by mdmcxyz,

    mdmcxyz mdmcxyz Jul 29, 2015 10:02 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 29, 2015 10:02 PM in response to BDAqua

    Hi, BD:  I thought I would revisit and check in with you.  I was fine in OS9 and then needed to use Finale (music notation program) in OSX, so I changed, printed out some music, closed it, and then switched back, and bang, started having the same problem with the screen.

    I tried to let it slide, until the next time I went into OSX, Finale, worked on some music, printed it out, and then switched back, and got the grey gridded screen.....as I was huffing and puffing, and restoring by img of OS9, it still had problems......THEN I suddenly remembered that I had printed when in OSX, and that my selector was still connecting my printer (HP Officejet 8600) to my Mac via USB, and realized I had forgotten about the possibility that my printer connection via USB might be causing the corruption when changing back to OS9, and I now think DEFINITELY that is the problem.  When my printer is connected to my G4 via USB, it is trying to connect, but the HP doesn't support OS9, so some kind of signals are going on and corrupting the startup, and system, etc.   When I have my printer selector switched to my laptop, and I reinstalled the OS9 HD, it runs perfectly, no problems. I can switch to OSX and back many times, and have NO problem.   It is when I forget and have the printer selected to the G4 (after being in OSX) that the printer USB signals are corrupting the OS9 hd/setup!!!!!!!!!  So I think that is the key to the whole problem I have had.

     

    For anyone else who might have similar problems, it might be worth it to disconnect your printer if a newer one and doesn't support OS9, then try reinstalling and see if that doesn't clear up the problem.

     

    Luckily, because I had the good backup images I was able to recover quickly, and also remember about the printer/USB connection possibility, so now I am 99.99% sure that is the cause of all my problem.  I now have a big post-it on my monitor to remind me to change my printer selection back to the laptop before I restart in OS9.

     

    when there is no printer connection via USB (for my particular HP OJ 8600) then I have no corruption.

     

    Thanks again for your help back then, and it helped me to really narrow down and find the source of the problem, and work around it.

     

    Michael

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Jul 30, 2015 9:57 AM in response to mdmcxyz
    Level 10 (123,516 points)
    Jul 30, 2015 9:57 AM in response to mdmcxyz

    Great work, thanks for the report, & good luck!

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