Power Mac G4 digital audio Firmware Update 4.2.8

I need a Firmware 4.2.8 update for a Power Mac digital audio G4.


Hardware Overview:


Machine Name: Power Mac G4

Machine Model: PowerMac3,4

CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (2.0)

Number Of CPUs: 1

CPU Speed: 733 MHz

L2 Cache (per CPU): 256 KB

L3 Cache (per CPU): 1 MB

Memory: 1.5 GB

Bus Speed: 133 MHz

Boot ROM Version: 4.1.4f1

Serial Number: XB****KXS

Sales Order Number: ****

[Personal Information Edited by Host]

iMac, macOS High Sierra (10.13.3), 32 GB of memory

Posted on Mar 30, 2018 11:56 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 3, 2018 8:56 PM

Appears to be the archive page that my search had missed;

another site offers the same file with link-back to Apple's:


From 2001, details include:

DownloadUser uploaded file File Size: 1263 Kb

archive link via pure-mac.com


"...The Power Mac G4 Firmware Update 4.2.8 will run only on Power Mac G4 and Macintosh Server G4 models with

AGP graphics running Mac OS 9.1 or later from a local hard disk. If you are using Mac OS X on your Power Mac G4 or

Macintosh Server G4, you must start up from a local Mac OS 9.1 or later writeable partition (not a CD or network disk)

before following the update instructions. Firmware Update 4.2.8 includes improvements to starting up Mac OS X from

the local hard disk, FireWire target disk mode, network startup, gigabit networking (on systems with gigabit hardware),

and system stability. This update also adds support for additional security options that allow the Open Firmware to be

password-protected..."


..from mactracker specification app..

Introduced January 2001

Discontinued July 2001

Model Identifier PowerMac3,4

Model Number M7627, M7688, M7945, M7681

EMC 1862

Order Number M7627LL/A (466 MHz), M7688LL/A (533 MHz), M8451LL/A, M7681LL/A (733 MHz)


So you likely have the correct if not only Firmware Update for the vintage cited.

Thank you for verifying the firmware version in an original archive source.


In any event...

User uploaded file

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 3, 2018 8:56 PM in response to Jan Hedlund

Appears to be the archive page that my search had missed;

another site offers the same file with link-back to Apple's:


From 2001, details include:

DownloadUser uploaded file File Size: 1263 Kb

archive link via pure-mac.com


"...The Power Mac G4 Firmware Update 4.2.8 will run only on Power Mac G4 and Macintosh Server G4 models with

AGP graphics running Mac OS 9.1 or later from a local hard disk. If you are using Mac OS X on your Power Mac G4 or

Macintosh Server G4, you must start up from a local Mac OS 9.1 or later writeable partition (not a CD or network disk)

before following the update instructions. Firmware Update 4.2.8 includes improvements to starting up Mac OS X from

the local hard disk, FireWire target disk mode, network startup, gigabit networking (on systems with gigabit hardware),

and system stability. This update also adds support for additional security options that allow the Open Firmware to be

password-protected..."


..from mactracker specification app..

Introduced January 2001

Discontinued July 2001

Model Identifier PowerMac3,4

Model Number M7627, M7688, M7945, M7681

EMC 1862

Order Number M7627LL/A (466 MHz), M7688LL/A (533 MHz), M8451LL/A, M7681LL/A (733 MHz)


So you likely have the correct if not only Firmware Update for the vintage cited.

Thank you for verifying the firmware version in an original archive source.


In any event...

User uploaded file

Apr 3, 2018 10:14 PM in response to K Shaffer

Hello K Shaffer,

Many thanks for the help regarding my Firmware Update 4.2.8. Many apologies for not replying sooner. Haven’t had any luck getting updated thus far. It’s been the OS 9 that’s been the biggest and on going issue keeping me from accomplishing a firmware installation. Had to dig pretty deep into the archives for an OS 9 operating system.


Decided to partition a SSD. OS X on the first partition (master), OS 9 on the second (slave). Made a special effort to play

by the rules, all the protocols, more than I want to mention (initializing HDs installing OS, cloning/backing up the installations, repairing disk permissions before and after installations, zapping the pram, performing a pram deep reset,

etc, etc. At last, when the time came to deploy OS 9, anticipating a Firmware Update finish. That just wasn’t gonna happen. OS 9 refused to install properly, at least three times and claimed the SSD wasn't a HD supported by apple, thus initializing/formatting the disk was out of the question as well as the firmware update.


Currently, installing a second drive (IDE drive), apple supported and OS 9 dedicated, OS 9 insoles prior to installing HD. That’s next as well as getting the SSD to show up, not mounting at the moment. That’s minor...... but the OS 9 SSD compatibility issues with the SSD............the mystery prevails for now. Any feedback/input, feel free to reply.


Thank you kindly,

Leonard

Apr 4, 2018 1:26 AM in response to leonard1956

Testing a normal IDE/ATA hard drive (formatted via Drive Setup) is probably a good idea. If in doubt regarding the exact Mac OS 9 version for a Power Mac G4 (Digital Audio), please see Mac OS 8 and 9 compatibility with Macintosh computers - Apple Support (including note 3).


At least according to a developer note, the computer in question is even capable of booting from "a USB storage device that follows the USB Mass Storage Class specification". Therefore, a Mac-(re)formatted USB flash drive (containing an appropriate Mac OS 9.x system folder) could possibly be used as an alternative startup disk, but whether that would constitute "a local hard disk" as in the Power Mac G4 Firmware Update 4.2.8 document is another matter.


BTW, the links in my previous reply can also be found via Apple - Support - Downloads (under Browse Downloads by Product) by choosing "Mac desktops" and repeatedly clicking the "Load more results" button.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Power Mac G4 digital audio Firmware Update 4.2.8

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