Installation of MAC OS 9 on iMAC

Hi, Tom -

That model iMac needs the model-specific Software Install CD that came with it (blue or blue-gray label), which installs a non-standard OS 9.1; or a retail OS 9.2.1 Install CD (white label, gold 9). No others will work as far as installing OS 9 goes.

It has been reported by some users of older Macs that after they have updated the firmware on their machines, the original OS 9 disk that came with them is no longer usable.

Hi, petesped -

Welcome to Apple's Discussions.

Your iMac 800MHz (4.2) machine is of the first model series of the iMac G4 models, which is designated by Apple as the iMac (Flat Panel) model.

That machine is bootable to OS 9, but only to the model-specific version of OS 9.2.2 that came with it.

According to MacTracker, that machine came with a separate OS 9.2.2 Install CD (it would not have had a white label), one which would have probably been named Software Install in smaller lettering under a larger label of iMac G4. You should use that Software Install CD to re-install OS 9.

***

It is possible that your machine was a late model of that series, and came with a combination install disk set, one which boots to OSX but has the ability to install just Classic (for your model, Classic = OS 9 as far as installation goes).

If that is the case, perhaps one of these Apple KBase articles can help -
Article #61802 - How to restore your Apple software
Article #106294 - Mac OS X: How to reinstall Mac OS 9
Article #60847 - How to Perform a Multiple Disc Restoration

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Since your machine originally came with OSX version 10.1.x, any disk set you have for later OSX versions, such as for Jaguar (10.2), Panther (10.3), or Tiger (10.4), will be retail disk sets. None of those retail OSX disk sets include any ability to install OS 9.

Hi tomkbdod;

May I welcome you to the Apple Discussion Forums.

Can you give us more details on iMac?

If it is the new one with the Intel processor then it is not possible to install a version of OS 9 without using SheepShaver. That is a third party solution for OS 9 on Intel based Macs.

Another question exactly why do you need OS 9? What are planning on using that requires OS 9?

Allan

Hi, Lisa. If I have correctly decoded your post, you're asking how to install OS 9 on your iMac.

One of the discs that originally came with the iMac contains an OS 9 installer. Dig that disc out and use it. No retail OS X installer disc or set (including your Tiger DVD) includes an OS 9 installer: only the model-specific OS X installer sets that ship with Macs include OS 9. Models that can start up in OS 9 include an installer for a bootable OS 9 installation. Those that can run OS 9 only as Classic within OS X include a suitable installer for that.

Hi, berrybuzz -

If your iMac was new in 2006 (one of the models released that year), it has an Intel CPU. None of the Macs with Intel CPUs are supported by Apple for any version of OS 9, whether as a boot OS or as Classic - which is why it does not appear as an install option with any of the disks that come with those machines.

However, there is a third-party solution - SheepShaver - which some folk have found to be sufficient. Note that SheepShaver requires OS 9.0.4. Whether SheepShaver will work with your educational software program is a different issue.

Hi, Cathy -

Welcome to Apple's Discussions.

What specific version iMac do you have?

Knowing which machine you have will determine the easiest way to get OS 9 onto your machine, so that it can be used as Classic by OSX. The early iMacs can use a separate OS 9 Install CD; later models need to use the original disks that came with them, which incorporate a combination installer for both OSX and Classic.

If it is one of the original style iMacs, grouped as CRT type models, this Apple KBase article can help you determine which it is -
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58669

If it is one of the next version, grouped as Flat Screen models (the half-dome plus monitor-on-arm), this article can help identify it -
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86793

It would also help to know the processor (CPU, or machine) speed.

Installing Classic (OS 9) will not mess up your install of OSX.

None of the
Macs with Intel CPUs are supported by Apple for any
version of OS 9, whether as a boot OS or as Classic -
which is why it does not appear as an install option
with any of the disks that come with those machines.

My question is, why? I've been an Apple customer for most of my life, and I've been a huge fan in the past of the tradition of full backwards-compatibility, and felt certain that Apple would work actively to preserve this for their customer base, who cannot always afford to ditch everything they've created in older programs. This makes me feel more than a little abandoned.

Why is Apple not supporting the loyal MacGeeks that stuck with the company even when it wasn't doing so well? Can we lobby for full, company-supported backwards compatibility, please?

Thank you.

-Artemis

iMac Mac OS X (10.3.9)

It has been reported by some users of older Macs that
after they have updated the firmware on their
machines, the original OS 9 disk that came with them
is no longer usable.

Well Don, you may have answered my question.

I purchased my Summer 2000 without an internal HD. The original disk failed and was removed by the previous owner. I installed a 120GB HD and loaded it with a retail version of OSX Jaguar, using the Mac OS Extended format with "Install Mac OS Disk Drivers" enabled. I then upgraded it to 10.2.8 via the Internet.

The firmware had already been upgraded to 4.1.9.

It was then time to add the 'Classic' support. I bought grey, machine specific OS9 installation disks that match my machine type and original OS version (9.0.4). However, I am completely unable to get the CD boot process past the little blue folder with the picture that alternates between the Mac smile and a question mark. OSX eventually boots from the HD, and there seems to be nothing I can do about it.

I thought that the problem could be related to the size of the HD. But I am unable to find any reference to maximum HD size for a given OS version.

Your firmware comment makes the most sense. Is there a solution for the firmware issue? In these cases, will a retail OS9 CD work (white label, gold 9)?

Thank you. I have about 35 CDs that will run OS9 or Win95/98. My choice is clear.

iMac 500MHz PowerPC G3 (Summer 2000) Mac OS X (10.2.x) 640 MB RAM

Hi, Artemis. No Mac that shipped with OS 9.2.2 can run OS 9.2.1 or earlier. No Mac that shipped with OS 9.x can run OS 8.x or earlier. No Mac that shipped with OS 8.x can run OS 7.x or earlier. No Mac with a PowerPC processor can read 400k floppy disks. No Mac has ever been able to start up in an earlier OS version than the one it was shipped with. The tradition of "full backwards-compatibility" you refer to is a figment of selective memory, not a fact.

OS X was a complete departure: a totally new OS from the ground up. Nothing written for the older Mac OSes could run in it. Recognizing that it was doomed if everyone had to replace all their software at once, Apple gave us Classic mode: a 5+ year safety net for people who couldn't afford or were too cautious to make a total commitment to OS X — especially during its early days when, to be blunt, OS X just wasn't ready for showtime. Every Mac that shipped with OS X from 2000 through 2005, and several models that were produced well into 2006, could either start up in OS 9 or run OS 9 in Classic mode, even though Apple had publicly declared OS 9 dead and obsolete early in 2002. We had those five years to find tools for getting our work done in OS X while we continued to use OS 9 for some of it. Now the grace period's over for those who want the benefits of Apple's latest and fastest Macs. Virtually no new OS 9-based software has been created and very little has even been updated in the last five years, while in the same period thousands of OS X-based applications have been introduced and improved. Those of us (and I admit I'm one) who didn't use that time to find replacements for all our antique applications will just have to keep using the older computers that can run them.

Hi, berrybuzz -

SheepShaver is an emulation program. Although the Intel ships apparently lack the coding neeeded in order to run OS 9 as Classic or as an OS, SheepShaver provides that in the form of software. From what I've read, SheepShave is designed explicitly to be used with Intel-based machines.

I've never used SheepShaver. There's info about how to acquire it and other needed items on the webpage I linked to, along with a walk-through on installing it and setting it up. I followed the link to the download page for SheepShaver, and it appears to be a free download.

...how do I know that one will actually run in OS X before breaking the seal on the box?

One would think that the requirements stated on the box would be correct. If that misrepresents what is inside, then that should allow the item to be reutrned or exchanged even though it was opened.

You can always check on the game publisher's website, or a fan site, or a game review site - most such have some sort of user forum.

Some games, like some programs (AppleWorks is one), may come in a dual-OS version. Be sure you are reading the part of the instructions that pertain to OSX. There is also a possibility that the game was re-coded for OSX, but that whoever rewrote the instructions for OSX did not do a thorough job of it.

(love that tiger)
I would greatly benefit from using "Mavis Beacons Teaches Typing" which learning over the years; however, a refresher course is needed due to a new online class in Library Tech is being taken.

Results from prior experiences:
My tiger (yes lower cased spelt lol) os left out OS9 unlike the other cats in history. I thought then: No Problema, I will grab another via "SUPPORT (upper cased)" when needed.

I later looked online and assumed incorrectly to download upgrades (starting w/ 9.0 to finally 9.2).

As a result, here am I again? I feel silly; because, an upgrade will not function for an OS9 that was not there in which to begin: Will it/they?
(OBTW: I love OSX & am looking forward to 64bit processing.)

If someone could point me in the correct direction, Mavis will save me from spending more money this semester to asdfjkl; via her via OSX.

Thank you for your help, Lisa S Kelly

Hi,

Maybe you can help me (sorry I'm kind of computer illiterate)-- most of my kids computer games, even new games we recently purchased at the Apple store need to run on OS 9. When I try to install them I get a message that I don't have a version of Mac Os 9 installed that supports Classic. If I download OS 9 does it mess up OS X. I'm not sure what to do.

Thanks

Cathy

iMAC Mac OS X (10.3.9)

I just read your answer to my two questions in another thread: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=786466&tstart=50

You also provided a link to an Apple KBase article describing the iMac models. I may not have a Summer 2000 after all, but there isn't a listing for a blue colored 500MHz machine with a DVD-ROM, so I'm not sure what I have. The original HD size is unknown. My System Profiler identifies it as an iMac (version = 32.14).

Thanks for your generous assistance.

I insert a CD (How to Be Your Own Lawyer) that says "you do not have an OS 9 system folder to use". I took my iMac to the GENIUS bar and they tried the grey iMac software install and restore (Mac OSv10.2.3 dvd v1.0) and the final screen said to install that disk which was already installed with the only button to click being "QUIT". GENIUS said call Apple. Apple sent a new white software install and restore and it ended with the same screen. My computor is iMac model PowerMac4,2 17 inch 800 MHzG4. I have the Mac OS 10 v10.1(big blue X), the 10.2 disks 1 and 2(big leopard skin X) and the tiger and panther black disks (all 4 of them).

powerMac4,2 Mac OS X (10.4.8) 17 inch flat screen 800MHz