14Pat
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Q: Reformat PowerMac G4 466 to OS 9 only, original CD's not working

I have acquired a bunch of old family photos that I need to scan and re-touch, to send digital copies out to all family members.

 

I have an old version of "Photoshop" that I bought, that I was going to use to re-touch the photos. It is installed on my PowerMac G4 "Graphite" tower (466 MHz). It was running OS 9. I then upgraded to OS 10.4.11 (Tiger) with OS 9.2.2 in the "Classic" environment. It now quits every time I click the cursor on an uploaded photo!

 

I would like to revert the OS back to OS 9 (i.e. reformat it and re-install OS 9.1 and then re-install the "Photoshop" program).

 

The problem: When I use the CD's that came with it (Software Install & Software Restore) that contain OS 9.1, I get a floating box that states "Input Not Supported".

 

Question: How can I reformat the HD (to get rid of OS X) and re-install the original OS 9.1?

 

Thanks!

PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.4.11), wOS 9.2.2 in "Classic" environment

Posted on Dec 8, 2015 1:03 PM

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14Pat

Q: Reformat PowerMac G4 466 to OS 9 only, original CD's not working

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  • Helpful answers

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Dec 8, 2015 1:17 PM in response to 14Pat
    Level 10 (123,895 points)
    Dec 8, 2015 1:17 PM in response to 14Pat

    That would be the Monitor telling you the input from the Mac is not supported, I suspect this is a different Monitor from when you had OS9 on it Before?

     

    Os9 isn't very good at dealing with wide short screen monitors.

  • by 14Pat,

    14Pat 14Pat Dec 8, 2015 2:18 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 8, 2015 2:18 PM in response to BDAqua

    Not sure I understand your answer. Are you saying that it is my monitor that is not compatible? It is the one that was connected to the G4 before the upgrade to OS X 10.4.11.

     

    If it is the monitor, as you say, how do I determine that ... and then how do I correct the glitch to fix it, so I can use my original CD's to reformat the G4 back to OS 9?

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Dec 8, 2015 2:47 PM in response to 14Pat
    Level 10 (123,895 points)
    Dec 8, 2015 2:47 PM in response to 14Pat

    Hmmm, if it's the same Monitor it should work, is it using the same interface? VGA, DVI, ADC, HDMI???

     

    Are there any input settings on the Monitor it's self?

  • by 14Pat,

    14Pat 14Pat Dec 8, 2015 3:10 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 8, 2015 3:10 PM in response to BDAqua

    Same interface, VGA. Not sure about the input settings, will check and see if that makes a difference. Will let you know.

    Thanks!

  • by nicholasmilner,

    nicholasmilner nicholasmilner Dec 9, 2015 5:44 AM in response to 14Pat
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 9, 2015 5:44 AM in response to 14Pat

    Hi 14Pat!

     

    BDAqua has raised some good points, perhaps try a different monitor first, or it could be the video card outputting an unsupported resolution for that monitor (or even most monitors perhaps?)

     

    do you happen to have a firewire drive to boot from that?

  • by 14Pat,

    14Pat 14Pat Dec 9, 2015 7:13 AM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 9, 2015 7:13 AM in response to BDAqua

    Okay, so I have determined that it is the monitor! Memory is a little foggy as to when I actually hooked it up to the G4, so it must have been after the OS Tiger update!

     

    I do not have another monitor/display. I might have to look into purchasing a used unit (have to determine what would work) or ??? The G4 has 2 ports (VGA & ADC). If I read the specs right the card is Rage 128.

     

    Any suggestions would be appreciated!

     

    Thanks!

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Dec 9, 2015 10:41 AM in response to 14Pat
    Level 10 (123,895 points)
    Dec 9, 2015 10:41 AM in response to 14Pat

    nicholasmilner is likely right. Rage 128 wants a 4:3 monitor, likely capable of 640*480 for setup.


    Details

    • GPU speed: 166 MHz
    • Video memory: 32 MB
    • Memory speed: 166 MHz
    • Memory bus: 256 bits
    • Resolutions: 640 x 480 to 1920 x 1440
    • Ports: ADC and VGA on Apple version, DVI-I and VGA on ATI version
    • Dual monitor support: no
    • Cooling fan: not on Apple version, included on ATI version
    • Minimum OS: Mac OS 9.0
    • System Profiler ID
      • Mac OS 9: ATI,Rage128Ps, ATI,Rage128Pro
      • Mac OS X: ATY,Rage128Pro

     


    I don't know where you're at, but I'd check Recycling places, likely get one free or for very little, I got a nice 1280*1024 VGA LCD for $5 at a yard sale... perfect condition!