Ed Contaldi

Q: Get eMac to run in Classic Mode without system disks?

I purchased an eMac G4, off the Internet, with 10.4.11 installed. I received no system disks with that computer. Unfortunately, I found that it does not run in Classic Mode. I understand that eMacs came with their own specific system disks--I have a copy of a 9.2 system disk. Is there a way to install the files necessary to run in Classic Mode without acquiring the eMac-specific system disks (if they are even available) for the purpose?

 

Another problem: While following some bad advice, I dragged the system folder from the 9.2 disk onto my eMac's desktop. As you can guess, it was unsuccessful in getting it to run in Classic Mode. When I tried to drag this system folder to the Trash, I would get a message that said it could not be placed in the Trash because it was in use. I attempted to rename the folder, but still received the same message.

 

HOW CAN I GET THIS FOLDER OFF THE DAMNED COMPUTER???

eMac G4, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Apr 26, 2011 7:31 PM

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Q: Get eMac to run in Classic Mode without system disks?

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  • by roam,Solvedanswer

    roam roam Apr 27, 2011 1:54 AM in response to Ed Contaldi
    Level 6 (13,569 points)
    Apr 27, 2011 1:54 AM in response to Ed Contaldi

    Copying the System folder only works if it has already been installed by the OS X installation,  but it is actually Classic, the OS 9 emulator used in OS X.

     

    Your eMac can't boot into OS 9, nor into the OS 9 CD nor install OS 9. You need the original OS X disks and install Classic that way using the Restore option.

    The second method is to find a Mac running OS X that has Classic installed and copy that folder. This is what you were trying to do.

     

    Not having the disks, either upgrade or the original is often dismissed as unimportant when getting an old Mac but the disks permit useful functions such as reinstallation of software and maintenance, and they are frustratingly missed come a blue moon.

     

    As for deleting that OS 9 folder, your Tiger OS has become confused but I'm not sure how to untangle things. If the OS thinks it is being used, there are technical tips about that in the following link, about half way down.

    Solving Trash problems

  • by Ed Contaldi,

    Ed Contaldi Ed Contaldi Jun 30, 2011 8:09 PM in response to roam
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Jun 30, 2011 8:09 PM in response to roam

    Thank you very much. Your comments were very helpful and cleared up some mysteries about Classic Mode for me.

     

    You wrote: The second method is to find a Mac running OS X that has Classic installed and copy that folder. This is what you were trying to do.

     

    I copied the Classic Folder from an iMac running 10.4.2. I dragged it onto the desktop. My eMac still doesn't run Classic Mode. I'm wondering if it had to do with the Classic folder being copied from an iMac. Any Ideas?

     

    It seems like I've got to deal with the possibility that I might need to buy eMac 10.4 disks to do a restore to get Classic Mode up and running. Because of that, I need to figure out how this eMac would do on the Internet. I presume I'd need an Airport card.

     

    1a. Can you download 10.4.11 from apple.com using airport and 10.4.X. 

     

      b. Can it hook into Modern Router?

     

      c. Is it Wireless?

     

      d. How will 10.4 do with modern browser?

    Thanks Again Ed and his son Dom

  • by roam,Helpful

    roam roam Jul 2, 2011 12:08 AM in response to Ed Contaldi
    Level 6 (13,569 points)
    Jul 2, 2011 12:08 AM in response to Ed Contaldi

    I copied the Classic Folder from an iMac running 10.4.2. I dragged it onto the desktop. My eMac still doesn't run Classic Mode. I'm wondering if it had to do with the Classic folder being copied from an iMac. Any Ideas?

    Copy it to the hard drive, not your Desktop. They are different locations.

  • by Ed Contaldi,

    Ed Contaldi Ed Contaldi Aug 7, 2011 11:27 AM in response to roam
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Aug 7, 2011 11:27 AM in response to roam

    Should it be in the System Folder or any specific folder?

  • by BDAqua,Helpful

    BDAqua BDAqua Aug 7, 2011 12:24 PM in response to Ed Contaldi
    Level 10 (123,501 points)
    Aug 7, 2011 12:24 PM in response to Ed Contaldi

    It doesn't matter where it is, the Classic Pref Pane can set it to where the OS9 folder called 'System" is, not to be confused with OSX's folder called "System Folder".

  • by Ed Contaldi,

    Ed Contaldi Ed Contaldi Aug 27, 2011 12:03 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Aug 27, 2011 12:03 PM in response to BDAqua

    I tried placing the Classic file on the hard drive.  It started to launch 9.2 emulation, but then gave me the following message:  "The system software on the start-up disk only functions on the original media, not if copied to another drive."

     

    What next?

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Aug 27, 2011 12:21 PM in response to Ed Contaldi
    Level 10 (123,501 points)
    Aug 27, 2011 12:21 PM in response to Ed Contaldi

    Ed, that sounds like you copied the "System Folder" off a CD, not the "System Folder" of an installed working version of OS9.

     

    But did this  "System Folder" work for Classic on the iMac???

  • by Ed Contaldi,

    Ed Contaldi Ed Contaldi Jul 3, 2012 9:16 AM in response to roam
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Jul 3, 2012 9:16 AM in response to roam

    To review from earlier posts:

     

    I have an Emac from 2005 running  system 10.4.3. I bought it without the system disks that include Classic Mode. It doesn't run classic mode because it appears that the files necessary for that were never installed. I've tried using retail update versions of 10.4 but they seem to not install classic mode.

    It seems that my only solution is to try to get the original system disks that would've shipped with the computer and would contain full system files including classic mode. It seems that retail system disks for OS X nearly update OS X, but this update doesn't installing classic mode.

    With that said, I'm trying to find visually identify System Disks for sale online that perform a full system install of 10.4.3 or later, INCLUDING CLASSIC MODE. I have found discs on the internet that are called Emac OS 10.4.4 system install discs. That have a gray label and no graphics or images. In the pics on eBay that I've seen, it is difficult to read what's printed on the CD. It's difficult to contact some sellers on ebay. Does the set of two gray discs that I've described, which are listed as "Mac OS X 10.4.4 Install Discs Emac only." sound like the original system install discs that will allow to install Classic Mode? 

  • by roam,

    roam roam Jul 4, 2012 5:31 AM in response to Ed Contaldi
    Level 6 (13,569 points)
    Jul 4, 2012 5:31 AM in response to Ed Contaldi

    Just passing and saw you post Ed.

    from Mactracker:

    eMac 2005

    Screen shot 2012-07-04 at 10.16.57 PM.png

    Those grey disks sound like they may be original BUT I must CORRECT AN ERROR I made a year ago.

    I was wrong when I said eMacs did not run the original System 9. The first eMacs apparently did come with OS 9.2.2

    This leads me to a thought, given that you want to run an old game under classic; you could purchse from Low End Mac OS 9.2.2. on CD quite inexpensively. Here is the link.

    http://lowendmac.com/deals/best-classic-mac-os-prices.html

     

    Maybe that's all you need Ed for the software you want to run. Less risky than eBay and no big outlay.

  • by Ed Contaldi,

    Ed Contaldi Ed Contaldi Jul 5, 2012 10:50 AM in response to roam
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Jul 5, 2012 10:50 AM in response to roam

    So I could boot up on the 9.2 disk and run 9.2 software?  Then eject the disk and go to 10.4?

     

    Do you know if the System 9.2 disk would be eMac specific?

     

    Your response was very helpfiul.

  • by roam,

    roam roam Jul 6, 2012 4:48 AM in response to Ed Contaldi
    Level 6 (13,569 points)
    Jul 6, 2012 4:48 AM in response to Ed Contaldi

    I have not done it, but it seems possible. A detailed explanation can be found in the following link.

    http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-10331436-263.html

     

    In your very first post you mention you already have a copy of OS 9.2. but for some reason it does not work. Maybe the copy is defective or maybe involves some anti-piracy snag tieing it to the original iMac - just guessing about that.

    Anyway you may have to get hold of another OS 9 install CD and give that a shot.

  • by Ed Contaldi,

    Ed Contaldi Ed Contaldi Jul 6, 2012 6:54 AM in response to roam
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Jul 6, 2012 6:54 AM in response to roam

    Thanks so much for all the help Roam!!

    I'm going to buy the disks which look to be the original 10.4.4 install disks for an eMac to try to solve this problem, and to have for future use.

    I couldn't have gotten this far without your help.

    Ed

  • by Ed Contaldi,

    Ed Contaldi Ed Contaldi Jul 15, 2012 3:20 PM in response to roam
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Jul 15, 2012 3:20 PM in response to roam

    Hi Roam,

     

    On a note only tangentially related to the installation of system disks, my son seems to have inadvertently deleted a large number of Garageband .band files.  It's not clear to me exactly how, but it happened when he was backing up his Garage Band files due to an upcoming system install using the 10.4.4. disks that I discussed with you and purchased off of eBay.  The file loss seemed to have something to do with him dragging his folder of Garageband songs folder onto a CD to back them up.  Somehow, he inadvertantly created an alias for the Garage Band folder, and in the process made the original folder inaccessible/lost.  When I click on the alias I get a message that says the original folder can't be found.  I search and cannot find the original Garage Band folder with his songs that the accidentally created alias refers to.

     

    Can you suggest any way to deal with files that are missing and you have no idea of how they got missing?

  • by roam,

    roam roam Jul 15, 2012 5:44 PM in response to Ed Contaldi
    Level 6 (13,569 points)
    Jul 15, 2012 5:44 PM in response to Ed Contaldi

    Hi Ed

    When you move files to be burned to a CD, the files are shown in a Burn Folder. In this folder the Finder makes an alias to the file or folder.

     

    However if you change any folders within the burn folder like delete one, you will be affecting the originals and delete that too because the folders inside are not aliased, only the first one. But who knows what happened.

     

    If the files are gone see if you can recover them with Disk Drill application from cleverfiles.

    http://www.cleverfiles.com/

    set your search criteria to be .band but I don't know how successful it is with recovering folders.

     

    I hope it goes well. Good luck

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