OS 9.2.1 Retail CD Versions

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OS 9.2.1 Retail CD Versions

Hello there,

I'm looking to buy a OS 9 retail CD for my recently acquired PowerBook G3 Pismo. I've seen two versions of what I would think were the same CD. Is there a difference between OS 9.2.1 retail CDs labeled 691-3212-A and 691-3334-A? I want to make sure I get what I need...a bootable CD that can install the system software!

Thanks

MacBook Intel Core Duo 2.0, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Jan 19, 2009 2:59 PM

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Answer 1

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Don Archibald

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Jan 19, 2009 4:12 PM in response to india349

Hi, india349 -

Welcome to Apple's Discussions.

Not sure what the 691-3212-A disk might be - I have all the retail OS 9 Install CDs, and that is not one of them. There was an update-only CD for OS 9.2.1 that came with some of the early retail packages for OSX 10.1 which, unfortunately, had a white label and looked just like a retail OS 9 Install CD. I say "unfortunately" because it was an update only disk, and was not bootable nor usable for an initial install - basically, it was just the download updater for OS 9.2.1 on CD, and required a pre0exisiting install of OS 9 in order to be used.

Both of the retail OS 9.2.1 Install CDs I have are labelled with 691-3334-A.

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Answer 2

india349 Author

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Jan 19, 2009 4:26 PM in response to Don Archibald

Hi Don, thanks for your prompt reply!

The CDs I've seen on eBay labeled with the "3212" look as you described, with a big gold 9. Some of the labels of these CDs, however, clearly state "To start up from this CD, hold down the C key as the computer starts up." which would lead me to believe it's bootable. Is it possible that this an International English edition and not a North American English edition?

india349

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Answer 3

Jan 19, 2009 10:17 PM in response to india349

Hi, india349 -

It is possible that the 3212 disk might be an International English version. If so, in the fine print on the disk's label it would probably refer to OS Z9.2.1 - the "Z" is the indicator for International English.

An International English version is usable, but can produce some problems - for example, download updaters for the North American version will not be usable with any International English version (OS 9 updaters are language sensitive).

I know that some of the folk who regularly post in these forums reside in the UK or Australia - perhaps one of them can help determine that.

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Answer 4

india349 Author

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Jan 20, 2009 3:27 AM in response to Don Archibald

Hi again,

What triggered me to ask this question is that the CD is labeled "SSW 9.2.1" and not "Version 9.2.1". After some more snooping around eBay, I discovered this discrepancy. There doesn't seem to be any "Z" near the version number.

Thanks for your kind help so far.

india349

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Answer 5

india349 Author

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Jan 20, 2009 4:10 AM in response to india349

Well, it appears that after EXTENSIVE Googling, I have finally found my answer.

The "3334" disks were sold as boxed retail by themselves and are fully functioning bootable installers of Mac OS 9.2.1.

The "3212" disks are the same as the "3334" disks but were sold as part of the Mac OS X Up-to-Date program for Mac OS X 10.1. Customers who had originally bought OS X 10.0 received a full OS 9.2.1 installation and then used the included "upgrade" CD to get to 10.1.

Here is a link from the Internet archive which shows this: http://web.archive.org/web/20011124194804/http://www.apple.com/macosx/uptodate/

Thanks for your help, Don.

india349

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Answer 6

india349 Author

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Jan 20, 2009 4:12 AM in response to india349

Answered.

Message was edited by: india349

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Answer 7

Jan 20, 2009 6:36 AM in response to india349

Hi, india349 -

Thanks for getting that info, and for posting it. I've added it to my notes.

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Answer 8

india349 Author

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Jan 20, 2009 4:34 PM in response to Don Archibald

For future readers of this thread, I want to point out that the update CD Don mentioned earlier does have a gold 9 like retail editions, but has boldfaced text on the right-hand side of the 9. Retail editions have boldfaced text on the left-hand side.

india349

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Answer 9

Jan 20, 2009 10:26 PM in response to india349

Hi, india349 -

Another subtle indicator - the term "SSW", which you indictated was on the "3212" disk (as in "SSW 9.2.1"), is not used on regular retail OS 9 Install CDs. I suspect it was stated that way on the "3212" disk because that particular disk was included as a component of a package, the package in this case being for OSX 10.1, and not shipped as a stand-alone disk.

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