Changed Startup Disk, need info on Finder

I went ahead and drag-n-dropped a TE file onto the only thing in the Hex folder that would open - the 68K - and it requires OS9 to do so. I removed OS9 from this system a long time ago.

The other one is to look at fork data not normally seen.

Get HexEdit and open that file for a look...

http://hexedit.sourceforge.net/

Open one of those say... txt files that wishes to open on the internal, or drop it on HexEdit's icon, under it's File menu choose Edit other Fork... if it warns you that it doesn't have another fork then exit/cancel, & forget this angle, if it does open a Window to this other fork look for the internal drive's name and app... just report, do not edit. 🙂

Reporting.

Found 220, dropped TE file, no warning issued, big list of number-gibberish.

EDIT: forget above, I'm new to this... window says my TE file "has no RSRC fork. Do you wish to create this fork?" Notes says creating fork allows add data to the file etc.

First, do I click Yes or No to "Do you wish to create this fork?"

One little behavior detail I just noticed.

I created a new TextEdit file by first launching the App from the Dock.

While that App was visibly correctly open in the Dock, double-clicking other existing TE files resulted in them opening in the Dock app. If the Dock app is quit, then double-clicking the files reverts to incorrect launch from internal HD.

FWIW.

What Firmware version do tou have, does it need an update?

The list suggests my G4 (Digital Audio) can take an update, BUT it says there...

"Important: These firmware updates cannot be installed when the computer is started up from Mac OS X. In order to install them, you must start up the computer from a Mac OS 8 or Mac OS 9 System Folder on the computer's hard disk (not from a CD). See the hardware and software requirements listed for each installer for details."

I have no OS9 on this machine, trashed it all long ago (not sure if I have an Installer CD). Furthermore, I don't have a working DVD drive to re-load OSX in case I had to do that (unless that can be done from an available external HD).

Requested Hardware Overview (the Serial # is curiously missing):

Hardware Overview:

Machine Name: Power Mac G4

Machine Model: PowerMac3,4

CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (2.0)

Number Of CPUs: 1

CPU Speed: 667 MHz

L2 Cache (per CPU): 256 KB

L3 Cache (per CPU): 1 MB

Memory: 1.5 GB

Bus Speed: 133 MHz

Boot ROM Version: 4.1.8f5

Still, 2 things... I think 7you may have a "workaround", secondly we need to see why disconnecting the internal drive doesn't a;;ow Option key booting from the FW drive!?

Looking back in this thread (and that takes a while), I don't remember doing an Option boot after disconnecting the internal HD. Pretty sure I simply hit the button on the tower, and nothing else.

Would that be a difference-maker?

Nuts.

I apparently have OS9 on the G4 Install CD. Also found this on my system: "There is no volume with a Mac OS9 system folder for Classic to use."

The learning curve for me to get to OS9 and then back to OSX - without losing anything - looks like days. If i have to buy something (eg DVD drive to install OSX), make that weeks; income's down to a trickle.

That article reads like this is something that should have been done when i first installed OSX.

Any harm in just living with this? As long as projects get saved in the Startup HD, does it matter where the App comes from? Following that train of thought, would it be feasible to trash the Apps from the internal HD, "forcing" files to open using the correct App source, esp if those few file types have an Open-With-Other>Change-All reassignment?

Otherwise, should I try the internal disconnect again, with an Option boot?

I'm losing about a grand a week in my biz, probably my last month n Biz after 40 years, tell me your problems again! 😢

Sorry to hear this, I'm roughly in the same boat after 30-something yrs. I asked the Magic 8-Ball about my future and the reply was "Walmart Greeter."

Try disconnecting the internal drive & Option boot for sure.

Tried this. The blue-grey screen showed up with the two arrows (circle (restart/reload?) and forward (proceed)), but no HD choices as i'd seen at other times. Clicking forward arrow did nothing. Apparently the internal HD really, really wants to be involved.

No harm.

Possibly the most encouraging response in this entire oddball issue. 😝 Now that I know how, I can drag-n-drop files to launch in the Startup, if I thought that was important. Everything else seems to work.

I might tinker with reassigning the Startup to another external. And/or, if can even find a 160G (cheap), just replace the internal and revert that to Startup just for peace of mind.

One more thought... what if I backed up (via SuperDuper) my current main drive (the external Startup) to the internal HD? Is that even possible, or advisable?

Or better yet, just land the project I'm bidding on, which includes a new Mac & Creative Suite upgrade.

So...

I think we may be near the end of this road. Thanks as always - you surely know where the bodies are buried in these machines. I want to acknowledge by way of marking 'correct' or 'helpful' posts, but which ones? Guessing the firmware update is the most recent resolution, though I'm not able to do that at this time.

Thanks again!

250 GB drives for $40...

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Western%20Digital/WD2500JBRC/

You likely know something I don't, but I remember when the current one was replaced (required assistance: difficult install, data loss, open heart surgery), I was told that 160 was the max this machine could take.

250 would be nice, plenty of space for Startup. $40 also nice.