downgrade imac g3 to os 8

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Level 1

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downgrade imac g3 to os 8

Hi

I received a nicely preserved iMac G3 from a friend (PowerPC 350 MHz). It's running on OS 9.2.1. I remember the two of us playing "Creepy Castle" on this very computer and I would really love to make it usable again (for the good old times). The game is still on the HD but it only runs in black and white. The monitor control panel won't allow to turn off the color. That was, if I remember correctly, only possible with OS 8.

Now I bought an Original System 8.5 (Package with CD) over the Internet as well as a System 8.6 Disk. Both Disks have Installers on it but OS 8.5 as well as OS 8.6 won't work. I am pretty sure that the original OS was Mac OS 8.5 or 8.6. Running the installers I get the reply that 'this program can't be used on your computer' (translated from German).

Can anyone help me to downgrade the iMac back to OS 8.5 or 8.6 and by that making me happy running Creepy Castle again?

Hope so...Kindly M.

Posted on Aug 18, 2012 2:52 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Niel

Level 10

726,623 points

Aug 18, 2012 2:56 PM in response to I0070190

If it's a Blueberry iMac, you need to use its original disks and not a retail package. If it's an Indigo iMac, that's not possible.

(68969)

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Answer 2

Jeff

Level 6

12,058 points

Aug 19, 2012 10:22 AM in response to I0070190

The blueberry-colored iMac G3-350 shipped with OS 8.6, so it can't run any older version of OS 8 (8, 8.1, 8.5, or 8.5.1). Sometimes, a retail/universal OS installer disk of the same version isn't compatible with a Mac that shipped with that version. This occurs when the retail installer disk was produced before that Mac was released, so that some of the required system software components are missing from that retail disk. The same could be true, when attempting to use another model Mac's Restore Disk. If you have the indigo-colored iMac G3-350, it never ran anything older than OS 9.0.4.

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Answer 3

I0070190 Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 21, 2012 11:47 AM in response to Niel

Thank you. But dear friends, the old blueberry-colored iMac is over 12 years old and I don't find any of the original CD's. I'm afraid if I go to the local dealer, the youngster there will snort with laughter when I ask them for an original 8.6 blueberry iMac OS Disk. Do you think Apple could provide such a disk? Or will I have to find myself another Mac with an old system installed? I would really see Creepy Castle back running.

Best regards

M.

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Answer 4

britny

Level 1

130 points

Aug 21, 2012 2:40 PM in response to I0070190

if you think your local dealer actually has the disc i wouldn't worry about being laughed at. i really do hope you find a solution for this.

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Answer 5

I0070190 Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 9, 2012 11:37 AM in response to britny

Dear chaps. You won't believe it. I'm sitting here, playing creepy castle on my old g3 iMac. Like in the good old days. Someone at the local apple dealer organised me a bootable CD with the original OS 8.6 for the blueberry. Yepp. What joy you can have with an old black and white 12" game... Thanks

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