Can the DP 1.42 G4 boot OS9?

[ddhhddhh2]

Hi, I'm looking to acquire a Dual 1.42 G4 and I was wondering if it can boot natively into OS9? It's been quite some time since this model was released, so I'm not sure if it's possible. I vaguely recall that the last MDD model could, but I'm not sure if it applies to both the Dual 1.25 and Dual 1.42 versions. Thank.

 

[Nermal]

The 2003 model had official support for OS 9, but was only available up to 1.25 GHz. The 1.42 GHz (2002) model cannot officially boot OS 9.

 

[ddhhddhh2]

The 2003 model had official support for OS 9, but was only available up to 1.25 GHz. The 1.42 GHz (2002) model cannot officially boot OS 9.

Okay, I understand now. Thank you.

 

[theMarble]

I believe you can run MacOS9Lives on a 1.42 MDD, which is an unofficial version of 9.2.2 for newer G4's. Might want to check if your GPU is supported though.

 

[Wild Hare]

No, not natively BUT it can boot OS 9 if you install the Unsupported OS 9 from MacOS9Lives. http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php/topic,2143.0.html

I’ve transitioned several 1.42 GHz FW800s in this way and actually have dual-partitioned HDs & SSDs to also run OS X Tiger, as well. Do read the details from the above link for more info.

AND maybe the same download is available from Mac Garden too. https://macintoshgarden.org/apps/mac-os-922-install-unsupported-g4s

 

[GMShadow]

A general rule of thumb is if it's got AirPort Extreme (not basic AirPort) or FireWire 800, it won't natively boot OS9 - Classic Mode only.

Hacked versions of OS9 are indeed another matter.

 

[ddhhddhh2]

No, not natively BUT it can boot OS 9 if you install the Unsupported OS 9 from MacOS9Lives. http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php/topic,2143.0.html

I’ve transitioned several 1.42 GHz FW800s in this way and actually have dual-partitioned HDs & SSDs to also run OS X Tiger, as well. Do read the details from the above link for more info.

AND maybe the same download is available from Mac Garden too. https://macintoshgarden.org/apps/mac-os-922-install-unsupported-g4s

I got it, basically, the original OS 9.2.2 doesn't support the FW800 version of MDD G4. According to Mactracker, FW800 was released in 2003 and came in Singl 1.0 and Dual 1.25/1.42. The software description label indicates that the original OS for FW800 is Mac OS X 10.2.3 (6H58).

Interestingly, the last MDD G4 (2003-2004) released was not equipped with FW800, but it had Dual 1.25/1.42. The software description label indicates that the original OS for this model is Mac OS X 10.2 and Mac OS 9.2.2.

Since both models have Dual 1.42 specifications, the easiest way is to identify FW800, right? However, even if has FW800 or some specifications not natively supported by OS9, it can still use MacOS9Lives to enable OS9 booting capability.

I hope I didn't misunderstand anything, thank you so much.

 

[GMShadow]

I got it, basically, the original OS 9.2.2 doesn't support the FW800 version of MDD G4. According to Mactracker, FW800 was released in 2003 and came in Singl 1.0 and Dual 1.25/1.42. The software description label indicates that the original OS for FW800 is Mac OS X 10.2.3 (6H58).

Interestingly, the last MDD G4 (2003-2004) released was not equipped with FW800, but it had Dual 1.25/1.42. The software description label indicates that the original OS for this model is Mac OS X 10.2 and Mac OS 9.2.2.

Since both models have Dual 1.42 specifications, the easiest way is to identify FW800, right? However, even if has FW800 or some specifications not natively supported by OS9, it can still use MacOS9Lives to enable OS9 booting capability.

I hope I didn't misunderstand anything, thank you so much.

The 2003 MDD was basically a re-release of the original MDD, it’s single 1.25 or dual 1.25 only. And yes, it was re-released for customers who still needed native OS9 booting…largely because QuarkXpress *still* hadn’t been properly ported to OS X even by then.

 

[Wild Hare]

The last 2003 MDD to boot OS 9 natively [the “Lazarus Mac”] https://512pixels.net/2016/11/lazarus-mac-mdd-g4/ came configured as a single processor 1.25 GHz machine. It could also be custom configured with a dual 1.25 CPU.

“due to demand from users who still needed to boot MacOS 9 -- but configured, by default, with a single processor” -EveryMac.com (As also noted per GMShadow, above.)

AFAIK the 1.42 GHz MDD only came with the FW800 model and that CPU is often swapped (along with their highly-coveted copper heatsinks) back into MDD FW400 models by those that prefer to boot OS 9 natively with the fastest, unmodified MDD CPU available. And the copper heatsinks alone, often sell for $100 or more. And yes, there was also a 1.25 GHz DP FW800 MDD. / No 1.42 GHz DP FW400 (unless you swapped that CPU into a FW400 MDD.)

I often viewed the FW800 MDDs as inferior because they would not boot OS 9 natively and with the “Unsupported OS 9.2.2” installation… “Firewire 800 ports are seen as FW400 ports are FW400 ports are Not recognized, all other hardware functions as normal”. Thus, losing two FW400 ports AND the FW800 port reduced to FW400 speed.

However, in the multi-partition and multi-boot scenario mentioned above, Airport Extreme use AND the firewire ports return to normal under booted OS X (Tiger and Leopard) and that now seems to be an adaptable advantage in a machine once deemed unable to boot OS 9. (“Hacked” seems to be a dirty word.)

“…the easiest way is to identify FW800, right?”

Yes, first I look for that single FW800 port and then check the CPU speed. If you’re an OS 9 “purist” get a FW400 MDD. IF you don’t mind a bit of work, the 1.42 GHz DP MDDs can be easily modified and adapted. And I suppose that it all really depends upon your primary goal / intended use.

 

[Nermal]

The software description label indicates that the original OS for this model is Mac OS X 10.2 and Mac OS 9.2.2.

The factory image was later updated to 10.3 and 9.2.2. The factory install - at least on mine - was actually bad (I seem to recall that it couldn't mount .dmg files) and I remember having to reinstall it myself from the DVD!

Edit: Yes! It was indeed .dmg mounting