In search of bootable Mac OS 9.2 or 9.1 (G4 gigabit ethernet, digital audio)

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leonard1956 Author

Level 1

13 points

In search of bootable Mac OS 9.2 or 9.1 (G4 gigabit ethernet, digital audio)

In search of bootable Mac OS 9.2 or 9.1 (G4 gigabit ethernet, digital audio).

Reason: Need a firmware upgrade for the G4 models above. Have the firmware upgrade but, this requires

OS 9.1 or higher environment to execute the firmware update. As you well know the firmware update is pretty much the common denominator for properly updating/upgrading other performance enhancing features. My previous path to solve my search has been a very crooked crooked path without results other than an exercise in futility.

H E L P ..... please.

Thank you kindly,

Leonard

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

Posted on Apr 8, 2018 9:03 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Don Archibald

Level 10

101,665 points

Apr 27, 2018 2:26 AM in response to leonard1956

Hi, Leonard -

You're quite welcome - glad to be able to help.

If you have an external drive that you'd like to be able to use to boot either the GE or the DA, you can use the retail OS 9.2.1 Install CD to install a universal version of the OS. This results in an install capable of booting any Mac capable of using OS 9.2.1. To do that, use the Custom Install function of the installer app on the CD (as I recall, if you are installing onto an external drive you do not need to boot to the CD).

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Answer 2

Apr 27, 2018 6:28 AM in response to leonard1956

Even when you use a retail Install CD, OS 9 installs are, by default, tailored to the machine performing the installation. So, when you used a retail OS 9.1 CD and applied the 9.2.1 upgrade to that, you ended up with an OS 9.2.1 install tailored to the G4 (GE) model since that was the machine used to do the install. What this means is that the installed OS may not fully support the different hardware on a different model, such as the G4 (DA).

The solution is to do a Universal install of the OS using the Custom Install option in the installer on the CD. As I recall, the 9.2.1 upgrade's installer also allowed one to do a Universal install.

It's been a while since I did one of those Universal installs. Unfortunately my OS 9 machine (a G4 (DA) model) is down at the moment (I think it blew its power supply), so I can't confirm the exact steps/procedure to do a Custom Install of OS 9. Dig around in the installer's menus and you should be able to find it.

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Answer 3

Apr 10, 2018 12:38 AM in response to leonard1956

The G4 (GE) model originally came with OS 9.0.4, so it can use either the retail OS 9.1 or 9.2.1 Install CD.

The G4 (DA) model originally came with a model-specific version of OS 9.1 (using Finder v. 9.1.1), and so can not use the retail OS 9.1 Install CD. It can use the retail OS 9.2.1 Install CD.

If you're not sure which model you have (either the GE or DA), look for the retail OS 9.2.1 Install CD. The NA English version of that CD carries the Apple part number 691-3334-A - there was an OS 9.2.1 Upgrade (not full install) CD released, so check the p/n to be sure it is the full-install (retail) version (white label, big gold 9).

Places to look -

• EBay

• Apple User Groups (usually big cities and universities will have one)

• On-line stores. Note that these can be a bit pricey. On the other hand, I just found one on Amazon for US$15.95 - if I didn't already have one, I'd grab that one, just 'cause.

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Answer 4

leonard1956 Author

Level 1

13 points

Apr 19, 2018 10:50 PM in response to Don Archibald

Hi Don,

Just want to say thank you so much for your reply. I own both G4 models and I’m in the process of upgrades, updates, etc. for both machines. While I do have most of the OS versions you have mentioned, I don’t have the G4 (DA) model-specific version of OS 9.1. This has been a real eye opener and explains why there were issues with OS 9.1 installations. It’s been a while since I used those OS versions. I’m now in search of the retail OS 9.2.1 install CD.

Thank you for your time, thoughtful consideration and the valuable info,

Leonard

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Answer 5

leonard1956 Author

Level 1

13 points

Apr 27, 2018 4:18 AM in response to Don Archibald

Hello Don,

just an addendum to bring you up to speed. By the way, my apologies for my correspondence lacking a more responsive reply.

So... as per your suggestion, I purchased the OS 9.2.1 from Amazon. This has allowed me to perform the firmware update on the Digital Audio G4. That was the necessary path regarding the firmware update. I must admit, I was overly eager to solve my updated firmware dilemma. While waiting for Amazon to deliver the OS 9.2.1 install disk, I put together an OS 9.2.1 version by way of the G4 (GE) retail OS 9.1 Install CD and an OS 9.2.1 upgrade. This version of OS 9.2.1 was integrated into the Digital Audio G4 environment by way of a clone. In theory, this approach sounded like it might work. It didn't play out so well. I do have an inquiry regarding the Digital Audio G4 and the OS 9.2.1 installation.

Initially, QuickTime (version 6.0.3) extensions had to be turned off to avoid the OS 9.2.1 platform from freezing right after start up. The cursor doesn’t freeze but is ineffective and fails in every other function it supposed to perform. Disable the QuickTime extensions and the problem goes away.... I have updated the drivers for the graphics card (ATI Radeon 9000 Pro AGP) which seems to have alleviated the OS 9.2.1 freezes for now. Any suggestions that may further stablize the OS 9 startup process??? Please advise.

Oh yes, by the way, as per your suggestion I will be backing up this OS9 via an external firewire drive but, not until I have a good stable version.

Thanks again for all your help,

Leonard

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In search of bootable Mac OS 9.2 or 9.1 (G4 gigabit ethernet, digital audio)

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