Install Mac OS 9 on a partition from Mac OS X environment

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Level 1

8 points

Install Mac OS 9 on a partition from Mac OS X environment

Hello !

I bought an iMac G3 500MHz, 512 MB RAM, CD-ROM, 20 GB HDD Indigo (Summer 2001) model, which has Mac OS X 10.4.11 installed.

But I really want to install Mac OS 9, to have a dual-boot between them. Can I install it on a flash drive from Mac OS X environment or from boot ?

I tried to install it form the Mac OS X environment, but it just opened Classic and I don't want that.

I have the original CD of Mac OS 9 (the retail one, not the grey one).

Thank you !

iMac, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Nov 11, 2012 5:20 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Allan Jones

Level 9

68,990 points

Nov 11, 2012 7:35 AM in response to arnizoom

Is the drive already partitioned? If not you must do so and specify "install OS9 drivers" during the partitioning/formatting.

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Answer 2

arnizoom Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 11, 2012 8:04 AM in response to Allan Jones

Yes, it is. I formatted the whole flash drive like this :

-Mac OS Extended (Journaled)

-Apple Partition Map

-Install OS 9 Disk Drivers

Thanks for the quick answer !

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Answer 3

Niel

Level 10

727,313 points

Nov 11, 2012 8:09 AM in response to arnizoom

Insert the CD and restart with the C key held down. Perform a clean install or install onto a different drive or partition.

(71483)

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Answer 4

arnizoom Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 15, 2012 3:55 AM in response to Niel

Hello,

Thanks for help, but I have another problem with it !

So, I have my Mac OS 9 Flash Drive twice on the desktop and Finder is still sending me pop-ups about a problem with my HDD. I tried to reinstall, but that didn't make a change, and I ran Disk Aid, but it can't fix it. And when I try to plug in to the computer any other flash drives it freezes and I need to restart the computer.

Thank you !

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Answer 5

Nov 15, 2012 6:37 AM in response to arnizoom

Are you trying to use a USB Flash Drive (stick) as a boot volume? PowerPC iMacs can't use a USB drive as a boot volume. You might have managed to successfully boot from the Flash Drive, but it's pop-up menu problem is it's a USB connection, and it's having problems with it.

Just out of curiosity, you do know that Classic running under OS 10.4.11 IS OS 9, don't you? It's been a few years since I ran OS 9, so besides making OS 9 faster, is there something else that booting from OS 9 can do that it can't do when ran as Classic under OS 10.4.11?

Good luck.

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Answer 6

arnizoom Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 15, 2012 7:02 AM in response to Rambling Joe

Yes, I am 😀.

Uhuh, ok, thanks for explaining me why it's happening. But it runs actually good, the pop-up isn't showing anymore, only the icon of the stick is still there twice.

I know, but I had a few problems with Classic, so I tried to install it like that. I decided to install Mac OS 9, because I never used Mac OS 9 before and I was curious about it.

Thanks for reply !

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Answer 7

Nov 15, 2012 8:55 AM in response to arnizoom

The computer sees both partitions, so it shows both partitions. Rename the partition with OS 9 on it something like Flash 9 HD, and rename the other partition Flash 10 Drive. Or name them Mutt & Jeff, Tom & Jerry, Archie & Edith.

You could even change their icons if you wanted.

Good luck.

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Answer 8

arnizoom Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 15, 2012 9:20 AM in response to Rambling Joe

Actually, I didn't install on a partition, but on the whole disk...

Unfortunately, 10 minutes ago my USB hub broke 😟

Thanks for help

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Answer 9

Nov 15, 2012 11:24 AM in response to arnizoom

When it rains, it pours.

Good luck.

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