Running OS 8... on a non-PPC Performa 6300?

Here's the spec page on the Performa 6300 http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macperforma/stats/mac_performa6300cd.html Says it will operate on OS up to OS 9.

 Cheers, Tom 😉

I think you're talking about the Quadra 630, not the Performa 6300. The Performa 6200/6300 machines all use PPC processors. The Quadra 630 uses the same case, but it has a '040 68K (non PPC) processor, and yes it can run OS 8.0 and 8.1. 8.5 and onwards require a PPC.

Unless someone has swapped in an earlier motherboard with a 68K processor, a stock Performa 6300 has a 100 MHz Motorola 603e processor, and is part of the PowerPC (it's marked on the case) series. When we regularly discussed those older models in this Forum some years ago, it was generally thought that OS 8.1 was the optimal version to run, although OS 8.5.1 or OS 8.6 is more modern. With a very limited 1 MB of DRAM for video support and no PCI slot, that Mac has serious upgrade limitations.

Two possibilities:

1) In the past, the PPC motherboard in this Performa 6300 has failed, and it has for some reason been replaced with a 68K motherboard from a Quadra 630. This is quite possible because the boards are interchangeable with this case design, and the 68K boards do work in the PPC cases.

2) The machine is actually a Quadra 630, but the front bezel has been replaced with one from a Performa 6300 series machine. This is rather unlikely, but still possible.

Check Apple System Profiler - what does it say about the computer?

I don't think it would identify itself as a Performa 6300 if it had a 68K logicboard from a 630. Simplest way to solve this is to remove the logicboard and take a look. It's quite easy to do, as this case allows you to slide the logicboard out. Remove the screws holding the back on, and slide it out by grabbing the two tabs.

Quadra 630 logicboard (large flat '040 chip near the middle, no heatsink):
http://www.academ.com/info/macintosh/q630board.jpg

Performa 6200/6300 series logicboard:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2462/3643776617e991e41438o.jpg

If you bought it new, then it should be identical to the Performa 6300 pictured here. "PowerPC" is printed on the front bezel, to the left of the headphone jack.

The Performa 631CD has a 33MHz '040. It can run System 7.5.1 up to Mac OS 8.1.

So yes, you can use OS 8. 🙂

Hope that helps!

No, but I imagine it would be slower than using System 7.6.1 on the same machine.

Mac OS 8.0 and 8.1 system requirements:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=30363

OS 8/9 compatibility list:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1835

Unless it is absolutely necessary (e.g., for software compatibility reasons) to use Mac OS 8, an earlier operating system (such as the downloadable System 7.5.3, possibly with the System 7.5.5 Update) may be a better choice for a Performa 631CD. The differences are not that significant. Some features can be added through shareware programs.

Jan

Providing that the system software installer is used (not a drag-copied system folder from another model), merely suitable components will be installed. That is, the installed software within one of the supported operating systems will work with the Performa 631CD (which does not have a PPC processor).

Jan