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Level 1

90 points

Can't get OS9 to boot on iMac G4

I just got this iMac g4 800mhz 17" off ebay (scary). It came with no restore disks. I didn't realize it would be such a problem to get OS9 up and running.

I had a copy of OS9 retail that I thought I could use to install, but that would not even be recognized and I could not boot using it. So what I did was copy over my System Folder (with os9 updated to 9.2.2 i think) from a working computer (beige g3). I'm trying to boot into OS9, but the computer just won't even try. It does work in OSX "classic" though. I tried blessing it from the terminal and did not get any errors, but still the computer will not even try booting it. The folder blinks question mark for just a moment and then boots into OS X.

I thought maybe I could boot from my PB G4's os 9 install disk, but if freezes during startup--progress bar gets about 1/5 and freezes before any extensions show. I don't know what to do. I bought this purely for running OS9 and I can't even get that going.

Any ideas to get this working? Thanks

Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Jul 8, 2010 9:21 AM

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Texas Mac Man

Level 8

46,857 points

Posted on Jul 8, 2010 10:03 AM

Here's the spec sheet on your iMac http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/stats/imac800_17fp.html

It came with a special version of OS 9.2.2, so you'll need the install disc. What you did (copy OS 9.x) is OK to run classic mode, but not sufficient to boot the iMac.

There's a slight chance that Apple may have the install discs. You can call Apple Customer Support 1-800-767-2775, provide the Serial Number and specifications of the Mac, and for a fee, a replacement set of system discs (if available), can be ordered. However, the discs will be for the original version of OS, that was pre-installed, when the Mac was manufactured.

 Cheers, Tom 😉

Also, look at this link http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2496245&tstart=0

Message was edited by: Texas Mac Man

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Isolder Author

Level 1

90 points

Jul 10, 2010 8:37 AM in response to Simon Teale

I finally got hold of a 9.5.1 Mac OS ROM, but STILL the iMac black screens shortly after the progress bar starts moving in os 9 boot.

Man.. is this a defective computer or what? It seems like it's in good condition, Mac OS X runs fine..

I read something about there being a few other files that might need copying like System/System Resources.. maybe that's it?

Pulling my hair out here, really want to get OS 9 going.

Jul 10, 2010 10:07 AM in response to Isolder

Well done to get this far. I presume that you've managed to get the OS9.2.2 System Folder off the iMac discs and onto the iMac internal disk and then replaced the Mac OS ROM file in it before selecting it in the Startup Disk system pref.

Does that very OS9.2.2 System Folder start in Classic without issue ?

Last thing I can think of is to find something like an MDD OS9.2.2 System Folder at the Mac Garden also. The MDD was released at the same time as your 17" iMac and used both ATI and nVidia graphics cards. So cross my fingers.
I'm also sure that an MDD OS9.2.2 full install has also been discussed at the Mac Garden.

Isolder Author

Level 1

90 points

Jul 10, 2010 10:20 AM in response to Simon Teale

Yeah, I got the system folder off the imac disks and replaced the rom, etc.

It starts in Classic without a problem.

I'll have to see if I can get someone on the garden to upload their entire system folder I guess then.

This really *****, I wish I could get an error or something rather than a black screen.

Jul 10, 2010 10:44 AM in response to Isolder

I'm sure there's been one for an MDD and one for an eMac been made available to help others out. Knew I kept the link handy, for use in emergencies: http://macintoshgarden.org/forum/emac-os-922-needed

It's a strange error, I'm starting to think that the internal disk may not have OS9 Drivers installed, but then I don't know how far you would get through the OS9 boot process before it caused an issue.

Isolder Author

Level 1

90 points

Jul 10, 2010 12:20 PM in response to Simon Teale

Yes! The system folder on the last link you sent worked. I reformatted the drive to make doubly sure that the hard disk drivers were installed, installed osx and copied that folder over and it booted right on up into OS9.

I know that I had installed the drivers the previous time, but I partitioned the drive so my classic and OSX partitions would be separate. Maybe that caused a problem.. Anyway.. so glad it's working now. Thanks for your help Simon, and everyone else. Ahh so glad this is working now.

Can't get OS9 to boot on iMac G4

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Can't get OS9 to boot on iMac G4