G3 imac problem

[lifetimepr]

I have an old imac G3 with a broken cd drive. I am trying to find a way to get a file off of my hard drive so I can give it to someone. So far, nothing is working. I bought two external cd drives, but my mac says they need additional software in order to work. I have tried several thumb drives, bot they say the same thing. The only drive I can use is my Zip drive, but nobody I know is able to use that.

My G3 is using OS 8.6. What am I missing?

 

[redheeler]

Updating the iMac to Mac OS 9 could make the thumb drives work, OS 9 has better USB support than OS 8.6. But if you have an external Zip drive you can simply copy it onto a Zip disk and then use a newer computer to copy it to the thumb drive?

 

[davisdelo]

If USB thumb drives are not working then you may not have USB Mass Storage support installed, or it may be disabled in the Extension Manager. It was not initially included in 8.6 if I'm remembering correctly, download it here.

 

[velocityg4]

Why don’t you setup file sharing? Plug an Ethernet connection into your router. Then transfer that way.

 

[lifetimepr]

Updating the iMac to Mac OS 9 could make the thumb drives work, OS 9 has better USB support than OS 8.6. But if you have an external Zip drive you can simply copy it onto a Zip disk and then use a newer computer to copy it to the thumb drive?

I would but all my newer computers are pc's

 

[Project Alice]

I would but all my newer computers are pc's

Both Mac OS (Even OS 8) and Windows can read\write to FAT filesystems. I believe in classic Mac OS it'll be referred to as "MS-DOS file system" or something like that. The ZIP will work on your modern PC's as well.

 

[paardenkapper]

If you're happy to tinker you could just open up the iMac and add another harddrive instead of the broken CD-ROM?

 

[ADunsmuir]

If you're happy to tinker you could just open up the iMac and add another harddrive instead of the broken CD-ROM?

IMacs (G3, G4, or G5) only support one hard drive.

 

[paardenkapper]

Since it's a PATA (IDE) interface you should theoretically be able to use an adaptor for slimline drives.
But I cannot tell for sure since I have no G3 iMac.

 

[Project Alice]

IMacs (G3, G4, or G5) only support one hard drive.

They have more than one IDE port. PowerBook's and MBP's only "support" one hard drive yet we all know many people throw in a second one in the optical bay. Same story with iMacs.

Since it's a PATA (IDE) interface you should theoretically be able to use an adaptor for slimline drives.
But I cannot tell for sure since I have no G3 iMac.

Technically yes you could cram another drive in there with proper adapters. It'd have to be something small. Like mSATA to IDE or something. However, it's clear OP has a tray loader iMac, probably a Rev A or B since it's running 8.6. Tray loading iMacs are extremely picky, and it would probably be easier to go a different route.

If this were me, I'd probably just go the ZIP route. Windows 11 should still recognize a ZIP disk and be able to format it to FAT16 or whatever those usually had on them. Any of them save for exFAT will work on 8.6.

 

[lifetimepr]

I would but all my newer computers are pc's

my mac is not online so I don't know how I would get it updated

Both Mac OS (Even OS 8) and Windows can read\write to FAT filesystems. I believe in classic Mac OS it'll be referred to as "MS-DOS file system" or something like that. The ZIP will work on your modern PC's as well.

Yes, but I don't have a newer mac. And, I don't think I can go from mac to PC...is this correct?

 

[lifetimepr]

They have more than one IDE port. PowerBook's and MBP's only "support" one hard drive yet we all know many people throw in a second one in the optical bay. Same story with iMacs.

Technically yes you could cram another drive in there with proper adapters. It'd have to be something small. Like mSATA to IDE or something. However, it's clear OP has a tray loader iMac, probably a Rev A or B since it's running 8.6. Tray loading iMacs are extremely picky, and it would probably be easier to go a different route.

If this were me, I'd probably just go the ZIP route. Windows 11 should still recognize a ZIP disk and be able to format it to FAT16 or whatever those usually had on them. Any of them save for exFAT will work on 8.6.

I already have the file on a zip disk, but my friend has no zip drive on her mac, and she doesn't want to install mine on her mac, so I need another solution. I don't know how to put in a new cd drive, and yes, I had a tray-loading cd drive, but it's broken.

 

[AphoticD]

Toast Deluxe 4 for Mac might work for your USB CD burners. Download here:

http://macintoshgarden.org/apps/toast-deluxe-4

Edit: Or Toast 5 Titanium might be better for USB support:

http://macintoshgarden.org/apps/toast-5-titanium

 

[Project Alice]

my mac is not online so I don't know how I would get it updated

Yes, but I don't have a newer mac. And, I don't think I can go from mac to PC...is this correct?

No, that is not correct. That's what I was saying. Macs read PC and Mac formatted disks. PCs read only PC formatted disks. Format your ZIP disk "PC" (Which is the FAT file system, or MS-DOS) and it'll work on the Mac and a PC.

 

[crimsonRE]

With such an ancient operating system, getting the machine set up is going to take some technical knowledge in order to get a file off given that the CD drive is kaput. In order to update your software, seems like you'll have to get your iMac onto your local network, if only temporarily. Your network router or modem/router/wifi combo box (whichever you have) should have Ethernet ports on it - plug an Ethernet cable between that box and your iMac. Any Mac OS 8 manual you own will have the directions for configuring it for use on a local network, and out to the greater Internet with the correct router IP address put into the configuration.
Then any web browser available on the iMac should be able to retrieve the software from macintoshgarden.org mentioned above in the second response. The Macintosh Garden (a huge archive of old Mac software) is specifically set up to allow access from old old Macs. Hopefully you can get the USB driver software installed, and away you go...