OS 7.6 Problems

Patrick,

Do you have a universal install disc for 7.6 or is it a model specific disc?

This page:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=112400

indicates that it wants 7.6.1.

Do you have two drives or two partitions that would let you boot from one and then run install from the CD without booting from the CD?

Jim

You can upgrade straight from Mac OS 7.5.5 to Mac OS 7.6.1 by clean installing. I read in the Readme file that some bugs were fixed in Mac OS 7.6.1 that Mac OS 7.6 introduced by accident. I'm not quite sure about it but due to the bugs present in Mac OS 7.6 you might actually have more success installing from a Mac OS 7.6.1 CD-ROM.

" I do have a 7.6.1 upgrade CD. Can I choose clean install from the upgrade CD if running it through os 7.5.5? Can I even upgrade 7.5.5 to 7.6.1?"

If the OS 7.6.1 CD is a full installer CD, you'll have no problems. If it's just a CD with the OS 7.6.1 Update, you can't - you first need to install OS 7.6, and because your 7300 doesn't support 7.6 - it's not possible. The 6500s also couldn't run OS 7.6, but required OS 7.6.1. In addition to OS 7.6 installer CDs, Apple also sold full-install, retail CDs with OS 7.6.1. In spite of the similarities to OS 7.6/7.6.1, all releases of OS 7.5.x comprise a different series, to which the 7.6.1 Update can't be applied.

Patrick,

Craig and Jeff raise some good but somewhat conflicting points. Careful reading of the read me files will help.

The reason for mentioning multiple drives was to get around 'failure to boot' issues when trying to boot from a CD. Boot from a hard drive, insert the 7.6.1 CD and try to run the installer from the CD to the second hard drive.

Jim

Pulling out my 3-ring binder of old Apple TIL articles, this document was #21011:

"Power Macintosh Computers: Some Don't Support Mac OS 7.6."
The recently-introduced Power Macintosh computers ship with either System 7.5, version 7.5.3 (Power Macintosh 4400/200) or System 7.5, version 7.5.5 (Power Macintosh 5500, 6500, 7300, 8600, and 9600 series computers).
None of these systems supports Mac OS 7.6, and Mac OS 7.6 will NOT install on Power Macintosh 4400, 5500, 6500, 7300, 8600, or 9600 computers.

A coupon to receive the OS 7.6.1 full-installer CD for $9.95 s/h was included in the box with those computers. These CDs contain an OS 7.6.1 System folder to boot computers not supported by 7.6, and have 13 sub-installer folders within the "Software Installers" folder. You should be able to determine which 7.6.1 CD you have, by exploring its contents. When launched, the installer first checks the computer's gestalt ID, to determine if it's compatible with the software. That's why the OS 7.6 CD installer stops dead in its tracks. As a workaround, you could try booting from the OS 7.5.5 hard drive and run a small program (there were two available on the web - check VersionTracker for "GestaltLab") that temporarily changes the machine's ID. You choose/substitute the gestalt ID # of a supported computer to fool the installer. If successful, you'd be able to install OS 7.6 from your CD and then run the 7.6.1 Update from the other CD. The gestalt-modifying utility is a temporary alteration and the computer reverts to its actual ID # after restart. For this reason, you'll likely need to run it again, prior to running the 7.6.1 Update.

Jeff,

Thanx for a nice definitive answer. I knew there had to be a gap in systems there somewhere. Denis Eddy posted a very good system review up through 7.5.5 which reminded me why I never bothered with that update.

The 7.6.1 update looks to be mandatory for those models.

Jim

Patrick,

You have not indicated whether or not you have tried booting from a hard drive and then running the installer. At this point, rather than trying to fight the limitations of the 7300, I would put the drive into the 7200/90, install 7.6 there, update to 7.6.1 and then transfer the drive over to the 7300. Be sure and select a universal installation and not just a model specific installation.

Normally, I would have the drive in an external hard drive case so I can use the drive to boot several models as a diagnostic tool. In fact one drive is partitioned with several OS options in case one OS does not work, I can boot from the next. In extreme cases, I use zip disks that are model specific so I do not have to change the startup partition, just designate the zip drive in drive setup, pull power from all other devices and then start through a stack of OS zips until something works.

You have hardware options you have not considered using. Try that external SCSI port for more flexibility in repairs and upgrades. Good luck.

Ji˜m

Most of those disks will do the "Universal Install for any Macintosh". But you have to search for the option, it does not jump out at you. Sometimes it is at the end of the list of optional pieces you can install singly.

P

Now on to your next advenvture. We enjoy reliving our learning experiences with those machine as you become a very capable technician. Enjoy your journey.

J