Upgrading from OS8.5 to OS9.2

I can barely make it out on the image, but it says Mac OS 9.2.1 UPDATE CD. That means it is for updating an existing installation of Mac OS 9. Since you have Mac OS 8.5, it will not work. This document explains where this eBay item probably came from.

http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/MACOS9.2.1_Updating.pdf

And the Mac OS 9.2.1 is a free downloadable updater anyways, as are the updaters for 9.0.4, 9.1, and 9.2.2. You just need to get any version of 9 installed first.

I don't know which G3 you have, but you can buy Mac OS 9 installation CDs from these vendors (and others). Their prices are reasonable.

http://eshop.macsales.com/Catalog_Item.cfm?ID=5913&Item=APLOS91CD
http://fastmac.com/sos.php

However, these are typically OEM disk, disks that came with new Macs. Therefore, you may want to specifically ask for a disk for your Mac (or one that is known to work with your Mac).

Hello Jay,

Appreciate the "cheap bugger" approach. Just think of it as being radically thrifty!

Nonetheless, I think you're better off biting the bullet and buying a retail, full install, orange-nine-on-a-white-background OS 9.2.1 CD.....especially if you're a tinkerer and plan to play with dual boot OS9 and OSX installations, or update firmware on second-hand Macs. Trouble with eBay and OS CDs is that there are a whole lot of machine specific CDs, blue labels, grey labels, guaranteed to work copies (that don't), update CDs, &c.,&c., and it's hard to wade through the chaff (and then wait to discover you've been outbid at the last minute).

I get my OS CDs from http://applerescue.com. They currently list OS 9.2.1 CDs at $38, shipping is free and quite prompt.

Anyhow, that's my opinion. Hope that helps......Jon

If you want OS9 disks then take a look at this site

http://www.applerescue.com/



G4 733mhz Mac OS X (10.4.6) iMac G3 vintage 1999

Hi, Jay -

I agree with the recommendation to get a retail OS 9.2.1 Install CD, one capable of performing a complete install.

One item not mentioned - if your G3 is a B&W model, it will need to have a firmware update installed before it will accept later versions of OS 9. The best time to install that is while OS 8.x is still on the hard drive.

You can download the B&W G3 firmware update from here -
Article #58374 - G3 (B&W) Firmware Update; it is also included on retail OS 9 Install CDs.

Jay,

Just how fast is the G3 ? I went to OS9.2.2 on my slow old G3, found it so much slower for very little extra functionality, I went back to OS8.6.

Very few will disagree that for speed and security, OS8.6 was about as good as it got.

If yours is a 450MHz B&W, OS9 will sing. If it's 233MHz, it may be just usable.

Depending on the version of OSX in question, the system may need all the
RAM it could handle and maybe a larger hard drive, too. Sometimes, it is
easier and better to include the equivalent of a retail boot disc and some
basic software and let whoever gets a computer figure it out.
That may mean knowing the minimal RAM requirements and
other specifications for the system and the OS you've got.
And making sure the configuration can handle these properly.

Things like Firmware Updates and how much a model can be upgraded; plus
information on configurations you may see and what they are, can be better
understood if you get a free use download of MacTracker from their web site:
http://www.mactracker.ca

Information and knowledge with the wisdom of when to do what, or leave
well enough alone, comes from experience and reading. Hope you don't
give up, older Macs are better than being dumped in a recycling bin.

how can I tell what the speed is

If Mac OS 9 is the system, run System Profiler. Normally, if can be accessed from the Apple menu (Apple System Profiler).

If Mac OS X is the system, go to the Apple menu again, and select About This Mac. This is open a small window with basic information about the system. If you click the "More Info..." button, System Profiler will run and provide more details.

A local shop generously offered to install OSX on it for $50.

Unless the local shop is including an official Mac OS X installation CD (per Mac) with the service of installing Mac OS X, it is not a deal at all. I believe that would be illegal.

how the %$^&#@ do you set up a LAN connection in OS 8.5?

You will have to let us know what you are trying to do. Are you trying to connect to another Mac? A PC?

Jay,

Despite the "help" from the others, forget about OSX on a G3, unless it's essential, the extra cost of more memory and disk, to end up with a painfully slow Mac is really, REALLY, not worth it.

The Apple System Profiler, already mentioned, can give you the full spec of the G3 you have. The Apple System Profiler has been around since OS8.5, and may have been in OS8.1 - I didn't stay on OS8.1 very long so I can't remember. The Apple System Profiler is under the Apple Menu (in the top left corner).

You could also help us to help you by describing the appearance of the Mac in as much detail as you care, adjectives like "grubby" and "dusty" can be used to enhance the description of some features if you really want.

Under OS8.5, with correct configuration (telling the Mac to use the Ethernet port for TCP/IP) the Mac should be easily able to join a LAN. OS8 and OS9 were pretty poor at detecting connections started after boot time, so it may require a restart at first. Once you're comfortable we can get round this requirement, by using the Location Manager.