Classic on my eMac

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Classic on my eMac

I would like to run classic on my eMac. I just had to wipe the disc and I re-installed OS 10.2.4. However the computer won't allow me to install OS9. I have 9.0.4 which I am assuming came with our iMac G3. Am I reading right that I need 9.1 in order to install classic on this computer? The Bondi Blue iMac G3 is not working any more (needs a new optical drive), and I have some classic programs I want to use for my children's schoolwork. Am I going to need to fix the G3 in order to have access to a classic environment, or can I get this to work on my eMac? Sorry for the elementary questions, I am just not real computer savvy. I get the impression from other posts that there is no way to get OS 9.1 at this time if I don't have it already. Thanks for the insight.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.5), iMacG3, eMac G4, intel iMac

Posted on Dec 16, 2008 10:36 AM

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Answer 1

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Grant Bennet-Alder

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Dec 16, 2008 10:57 AM in response to mmTX

If you have the original install discs for the emac, and they included 10.2, there may be an OS 9 on there also. Otherwise, there may be no way to install on your specific model.

To see if it is already installed, open the "Classic" System Preference and let it search for an OS 9 System Folder.

Which model emac is it, and what is the processor speed?

Message was edited by: Grant Bennet-Alder

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Answer 2

mmTX Author

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Dec 16, 2008 11:18 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Well, it is a 1Ghz Power PC G4 that we bought in 2003. In the box I did find a pamphlet that says "Using Mac OS 9" which says that it was factory installed on the computer. But I had to do a clean install with the original software. If I go to the classic preferences now, it says that the computer does not support classic, because there is no classic folder. But, now that I found this pamphlet I will read through it and see if I can figure out what's going on. It seems like there is supposed to be a folder there that is just missing for some reason?? Could it not be a part of the software but had been originally installed at the factory? If so would there be any way to re-install it?

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Answer 3

mmTX Author

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Dec 16, 2008 11:51 AM in response to mmTX

Oh, I understand what you said now! I assumed if it was on the disk it would have been installed when I wiped the computer. But I put it back in and did software restore and I will let you know if it works.

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Answer 4

mmTX Author

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Dec 16, 2008 12:18 PM in response to mmTX

It's working! I had assumed since I had done a clean install that it should be there. I did not realize I would need to also do a "software restore." But that did the trick. Thanks!!

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Answer 5

Dec 16, 2008 2:18 PM in response to mmTX

Glad to hear its working! Great detective work!

It is entirely possible your Mac can not boot from or install ANY retail OS 9 CDs, based on this note from the tech specs:

\[1] Startup in Mac OS 9 is available only with CD-ROM and Combo drive configurations. All configurations can run Mac OS 9 applications in Mac OS X Classic mode.

SP98- eMac (ATI Graphics) - Technical Specifications

Message was edited by: Grant Bennet-Alder

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