Partition for OS 9? How large?

How large a partition do I need for os 9?

Five to ten GB should do it.

(45096)

GeeAlex wrote:
I've partitioned my hard drive with os 10.4.3 taking up most of the space, which I installed.

{quote} I now have a 20 GB partition for os 9.1, but I'm not sure how to install it. My computer won't restart using the os 9.1 disc; it just goes over to os 10. I'd like to have a separate disc with 9.1 that I can use exclusively for classic gaming.{quote}
1.) Is graphics card you're using Mac OS 9 compatible? If not, use one that is.
2.) When stating up with the OS 9 CD you need to hold down the 'C' key.
3.) Try selecting the OS 9 install CD as the start up disk using the Startup Disk Preference in System Preferences.

{quote}How do I install the os on the now erased and empty 20 GB partition?{quote}
You'll need to initialize that partition and update it's drivers using Drive Setup and Disk First Aid, on the Mac OS 9 CD.

-Mike

You don't say whether your Mac is a Quicksilver or MDD model. In either case, the originally installed OS was OS 9.2.2 and OS X. A Mac can't boot/run from an OS lower than the originally installed OS. That's why you can't boot from or install OS 9.1.

You'll have to use the original install CDs that came with your Mac to install OS 9.2.2. I believe the install instructions say you need to install OS X (10.1 or 10.2) first, then install OS 9.2.2. After you install OS 9.2.2, you can trash the OS X files.

 Cheers, Tom 😉

Hi, Gee -

As Tom indicated, OS 9.1 is insufficient for your G4 dual 1GHz model; it can't boot to that early an OS.

If your machine is a QuickSilver, it may have come with a separate OS 9.2.2 Install CD. You should be able to boot the machcine to that CD and install OS 9.2.2 directly onto the 20GB partition.

***

However, if your machine is an MDD (Mirrored Drive Door) model, the machine came with a combination install disk set, one that boots to OSX but which can also install OS 9.2.2 (Classic). Unfortunately the installer will insist that Classic (OS 9.2.2) must be installed onto the same volume (partition) which contains OSX. This is inconvenient, but not unsurmountable.

Go ahead and install OS 9.2.2 onto the OSX partition. Once that has been done, boot the machine to OS 9.2.2 and then drag the OS 9 System Folder to the 20GB partition and let Finder copy it there. Do the same with the OS 9 supporting folders (Applications (Mac OS 9), Documents, and any other folders specific to OS 9).

Make sure that the Mac OS logo/glyph appears superimposed on the System Folder copied to the 20GB partition - this indicates it is blessed, meaning it has been recognized and flagged as a bootable OS.

Then test boot to the copied OS on the 20GB drive. You can do that using Startup Disk control panel, or using Startup Manager.

OS 9 is easily copied this way, via a simple Finder drag-and-drop copy process; cloning is not needed. Usually such a copied OS 9 System Folder is usable immediately.

Once the test boot confirms that it works, you can remove the originally installed OS 9 on the OSX partition. Or, you can retain it for use as Classic, keeping the one on the 20GB partition for dedicated use as a bootable OS.

***

In either case, either machine model, in order to be able to boot OS 9 from a volume the volume must have had the OS 9 drivers installed.

The OS and installer on a stand-alone OS 9 Install CD will not be able to 'see' any volume which does not have OS 9 drivers.

The combination disk sets, such as come with an MDD model, will be able to install OS 9 (Classic) onto a volume which does not have OS 9 drivers, since the installer is run by OSX. Such an install will be usable as Classic, but not as a bootable OS 9.