macplus and no boot disk

[Mactaldi]

We've just recovered our MacPlus from the attic - but can't boot it as we've lost the disk. Our other machines are windows and linux (we have an Iomega zip, but with USB connection!) - does anyone know any way of making a boot disk (we do actually have one old 800k floppy, but it's not a boot disk).

Thanks

ps We can get access to new macs through work.

[David Schmidt]

does anyone know any way of making a boot disk (we do actually have one old 800k floppy, but it's not a boot disk).

You are going to need an intermediate Mac. One that can both receive information from the Internet (Apple's OS 6 disks via ethernet or 1.4M floppies) and write disks back out that the Mac Plus can read (variable speed 800k floppies). So, unless you have a local person with the hardware or a nice soul here, you're going to have to go retro.

http://retrotechnology.com/herbs_stuff/m_books.html - seems to have system software for sale

http://retrofloppy.com - could probalby image diskettes from Apple for you

http://store.syndicomm.com/index.php?cPath=2_31 - has Apple II OSes for sale; maybe they have Mac OSes somewhere too?

Apple gives the OS away here:
http://download.info.apple.com/Apple_Support_Area/Apple_Software_Updates/English-North_American/Macintosh/System/Older_System/System_6.0.x/

ps We can get access to new macs through work.
Yeah, they're no help. You need older technology. :-)

[Sawtoothdude]

i actually have the original system disks for the mac plus all in a box. I have no idea if i would be able to send an image or something through email. PM me if you have any ideas

[danimations]

i have a similar problem... just picked up a Mac Plus and 20SC hard drive... what's the best way to check if the HD is okay, and get the system to boot from it? Do I have to assign the SCSI drive a port number? Does it matter which port I plug the SCSI cable into (top or bottom)? I think it may be stuffed, as it does not boot from the HD automatically. maybe the HD just needs formatting?

Otherwise... am I able to make a boot disc from my PC if I find a low density floppy to format on my PC? If so, what utilities should I use to perform that operation?

Also, sawtooth... could you email me those disc images also? that'd be great. :D

[David Schmidt]

Otherwise... am I able to make a boot disc from my PC if I find a low density floppy to format on my PC?
No, different technologies are at play with 800k disks between PCs and old skool Macs. You can't bridge the gap between a Mac SE and "modern" usb-wielding PCs. You need something else - a Mac that can read PC-formatted floppies, a modem and some comms software, or some boot media. All kind of chicken-and-egg situations.