best way to upgrade from 8.6 to 9.2.2?

Hi, Jason -

At some point, before installing either OS 9.0 or 9.1, you will probably need to update the machine's firmware before you will be able to make ithe install. The best time to do that is now, before removing OS 8.6. You can get any applicable updates for iMacs from Apple KBase Article #58174 - iMac: When to Install Available Updaters.

Once that has been done you can use any retail OS 9 Install CD, install that version, and then update it using download updaters as needed. Since you want to be at OS 9.2.2, I would suggest obtaining a retail OS 9.2.1 Install CD - doing so would reduce the need for download updates to just the one for OS 9.2.2. I also recommend not getting any CD lower than OS 9.1.

You can often get retail OS 9 Install CD's in versions 9.0 through 9.2.1 at sites like these -
http://macsolutions.com/
http://www.allmac.com/
http://store.yahoo.com/hardcoremac/index.html - Apple Reseller
http://www.applerescue.com/

EBay is another possibility.

Regardless of the source, be sure to get a retail OS 9 Install CD - those are white, with a large gold 9 on them; the retail OS 9 Install CD's have a universal installer; model-specific Install CD's do not.

In case you need the updaters -
Article #75103 - Mac OS 9.1 - Download and Info
Article #120030 - Mac OS 9.2.1 - Download and Info
Article #75186 - Mac OS 9.2.2 - Download and Info

thanks for your lengthy reply

i just found a disc with 9.2.2 on it

can i "jump" from 8.6 to 9.2.2?

In all likelihood, no. The disc is most likely either a 'model specific' install (such as one that came with an iBook,) or it is an 'update' disk, that requires 9.1 or later already installed. (I have both kinds, neither will work on an 8.6-running iMac.)

You will need a 'retail' 9.x install CD. NOT an 'Update' CD. (The 'update' CDs dont' even contain a 'full' copy of 9.2.x. They often aren't even bootable.)

Sorry, you'll need a real install disc, then run any appropriate updaters.

The OS 9 retail discs have already been described - they are white and have a huge orange-red nine.

There was an OS 9, and a OS 9.1 that were full retail versions. There may have been a 9.0.4 as well, I am not sure about that.

This becomes more complicated however, because the OS 9.2.1 update OS CD is identical externally to the OS 9 CD. But that CD is useless without OS 9.1 already installed.

Jason Sheen

It is best to say that Mac OS 9 Universal Install CD(s) will contain the - C - Boot instructions off to the Left-hand-half of the CD itself. In fine print is the Verson number and a Part number. Funny way to think, or look for the right one, is in the 9 O'clock position.

Update CD are clearly marked off to the Right-hand-half on the CD. (Bummer Update CDs is when it is labeled as such in the 3 O'clock position.

...Ron

So a friend loans me 9.2.2 and I went ahead and installed it on my Imac (333Mhz). It works but I am having problems (where's my dictionary when I need to spell check- and others) I now know what I shouda done but can I go back and start over? Reinstall 8.6 again and then step up with 9.0 as pointed out above?

Steve

jason,

got to ask yourself if you even want to upgrade to OS9. For many OS8.6 in the pre-OSX Mac OS stakes is as good as it gets. I only went to OS9 on my iMac for USB Printer Sharing.

If your iMac is going to be used for game playing, 8.6 may be sufficient, and disks may be easier to find on ebay. If you're going to want to get it to do a lot of web browsing, then OS9 is probably better, just because it allows you to use Internet Explorer v5 (rather than v4).

A great machine, a design classic, and a definite collectable in the future.

Let us know what you plan to use it for and we may be able to help you source lots of free software for it too.

Hi, Jason -

I've got to find a way to disable the power key though as my 2 year old keeps turning the computer off.

Short of performing surgery on the keyboard itself, I don;t think there's a way to do that - other than replacing the keyboard with one that does not have a power key. The Apple Pro keyboards that came with G4 models up through the QuickSilver models do not have such a key, and are OS 9 compatible. You may be able to locate a used one somewhere.

Some third-party Mac-compatible keyboards also do not have a power key, but make sure if you get one of those that it is compliant with startup keyboard commands. As far as I know, all Macally keyboards for Macs are compliant. Or, keep the original keyboard available in case you need it for that.

In the absence of a working power key on the keyboard you will need to use the power button on the Mac to start it up.