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PowerMac G4 Sawtooth, OS 8.6 - Optical Drive Options ?

Hi, I have several questions about a fun project I am doing to be able to run a old Librarian Software for a SP12 Drum Machine. BUT, there are so many questions, I will post them separately in their own threads. I just wanted to make sure you knew the background of the reasons I am using this old of a set up and I have limitations, etc..

Anyway. First question:

I just acquired a PowerMac G4 400mhz (AGP Graphics) Sawtooth model. I am going to need to find a old OS disc of Mac OS 8.5 then the update to 8.6 (as this is the OS needed to run that secret program). But I see the optical drive in there now looks weird, and says "DVD Rom". It is white and very bulky. Now, will that read normal CD's and DVD's that OS's are on ? Or how do I find OS 8.5 on DVD Rom ?

Then besides all that, after I get it running OS 8.6 smoothly, what are all my possible optical drive upgrade options ? I would really like the latest CD (hopefully DVD ??) combo drive to work in it. Is that possible ? If so, or if not, can someone please just post the name, make and model number of the best, newest Optical drive that will work in that set up (under Mac OS 8.6, G4 Sawtooth, etc..) ?

THANKS !!!

Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Oct 5, 2010 10:20 PM

Top-ranking reply

BDAqua

Level 10

245,603 points

Posted on Oct 5, 2010 10:34 PM

Hi there,

It is white and very bulky. Now, will that read normal CD's and DVD's that OS's are on ?

Yes, it'll read CDs & DVDs, but only Write CDs.

Then besides all that, after I get it running OS 8.6 smoothly, what are all my possible optical drive upgrade options ?

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/optical-drives/superdrives/powermac/

Though for 8.6 you may have doctor some files.

I would really like the latest CD (hopefully DVD ??)
Also External Drives...

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/optical-drives/

http://www.mackb.com/Uwe/Forum.aspx/mac-apps/1385/Mac-OS-8-6-compatible-CD-burne rs

I am going to need to find a old OS disc of Mac OS 8.5 then the update to 8.6 (as this is the OS needed to run that secret program).

First most 8.6 SW did run under OS9, are you certain this SW won't?

eBay is a place to look, this is one & seems expensive, but...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-OS-8-6-Universal-Install-cd-Manual-etc-/310257408978

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20 replies

BDAqua

Level 10

245,603 points

Oct 7, 2010 11:35 PM in response to Don Archibald

Wow Don... you're asking me???

i remember wanting and saving up for both, but never got the chance since OS & HW changes kept me from ever going forward without 2 or 3 steps backwards,and that was for OS7!

OSx, (the little x was a Freudian slip, but I'll let it stand), has been even more of a money pit... I'm about to go back to OS9 or earlier, where everything I do was easier, there are no further irritating, obnoxious, and sometimes debilitating updates! 🙂

Oct 8, 2010 12:07 AM in response to Jon Smith

Thanks Jon. I'll keep this all in mind. For now, I think I am feeling risky, and I am going to at least try this G4 I got since, well, .... I got it. It was free !

Talks I've been hearing is this Griffin G4Port Serial adapter or the Stealth Adapter really do make the computer think it is "built it". So this will work maybe for the app I am using. Only challenge now is to find a copy of the model specific G4 Sawtooth AGP Graphic Mac OS 8.6. That will be the most challenging. But I like a challenge.

I don't see why I can't order one from Apple ? I mean, with everything digital now, how much space could it possibly take up for them to keep a digital file copy of every OS they ever made ? It would be that hard, plus people could get them when they wanted. I'd pay for it to obviously. I don't mean for free download. I just mean they should keep it digital for their storage. Etc..

Anyway, if all this don't work, THEN I will move to get a G3 of some sort.

Jon, just to be clear, exactly which model are you referring to when you say "Beige G3" ? Would this be a Minitower ? Or no, the ones before that ?

Thanks -

Oct 8, 2010 12:13 AM in response to Don Archibald

Don Archibald wrote:
One thing that should perhaps be checked out re the GeeThree or Griffin approach -

If I read the Watersedge webpage correctly, it indicated that SP12 needed to use both the modem port and the printer port, not just one. If that is the case, does either the GeeThree or the Griffin solution provide two ports?

Good point Don. And great thinking. But no, if I am reading it correctly, it says you can use one if your Midi interface only uses one, or you can use 2 if your midi interface happens to be the ones that need both to hook up to. The Software will run on either Midi interface fine.

But, this is such a good question that I would hate to overlook. That I am just going to email their tech support again, and ask that question.

God, they are probably loving me by now - LOL ! All these questions about this old crap and the most that will happen for them is I buy their $99 software.. Ha ha.. Poor guys, this software has been unsupported by them now for about 10 years ! And guys like me still bug them about ideal configs for it. lol -

Jon Smith

Level 4

1,390 points

Oct 8, 2010 10:31 AM in response to Roulette Records

Hello Roulette,

Hey, if you got it for free, the price was right! Half the fun in life is getting something for nothing and putting it all together and making it work - particularly if it's unusual in some regard.

The beige G3 - or more properly the platinum G3 - refers to the desktop and minitower produced from late in 1997 to the start of 1999 --- and sometimes peripherally to its cousin, the AIO - or All-in-One, produced around the same time. They supplanted the 9500 and 9600, though the tower looked pretty much the same.

They seemed to invite user improvement, more so than the earlier models, and a cottage industry grew up around this interest. A lot of people got their initiation into the innards of Macs tinkering with the beige G3s - yours truly among them. They were quite competent - even amazing - machines for their time, particularly when breathed on by dedicated enthusiasts.

So, have at it, and best of luck ... Jon

Jeff

Level 6

12,220 points

Oct 8, 2010 9:56 PM in response to Roulette Records

There is one other hardware option, although I don't know if the system will recognize the serial ports provided as built-in. The now-discontinued "Keyspan SX Pro" PCI card provided (4) serial ports for "newer" Macs (B&W G3s and G4s) without them. Keyspan has since been acquired by Tripp Lite, so product support is poor for Keyspan's older products. You can find the card at eBay or check the web for other sources having NIB stock. Micro Center carried it for some time but I balked at buying it, because it was ridiculously over-priced for what it provided. If you're interested, the drivers for it can be found here.

PowerMac G4 Sawtooth, OS 8.6 - Optical Drive Options ?