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How do I install OS 9 on a G4 quicksilver please?

N

notaclueUK

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 7, 2008
4
0
Hi,

I have an G4 quicksilver that was originally bought by my now ex-partner who then decided he didn't want it.

I know very little about computers generally but I'm trying to do my best to get this one running properly. Everyone says I should just buy a PC but I LIKE my mac. I just don't understand it.

Anyway, earlier this year the hard drive died (gutted...I had nothing backed up but too late for tears now) and I got it replaced.

The repair centre installed OS X 10.2.8 on it but no classic um...operating system (is that the right term??!??) on it at all.

I have all the original discs that came with the mac when it was bought so: Software Restore 1-4, Mac OS X Install (version 10.1) and OS 9 install. They are all grey. I don't have the two white discs with a big "9" and a big "X" on the front that some people have. and I have the Hardware test disc.

I would REALLY like to install OS 9 on my mac if only because I have some old educational games for the kids (and a couple for me ;)) but they won't run without classic.

I am completely clueless when it comes to anything like this as you can probably tell from the way I am describing what I've got.

Can anyone help? Please appreciate I don't know ANYTHING so feel free to talk to me like I am 6.Actually a 6 year old probably knows more than me.

I put the grey OS 9 instal disc in and held down the "C" button (even I could grasp that bit) but then there was no drive for it be installed onto. I think I either need to partion my drive or do a clean instal but I have no idea what either of those things entail and all explanations I have found online have too much jargon in them.

I thought about buying a retail copy of OS 9 (the white disc with the big 9 on it) that I have seen for sale second hand but now I'm wondering if I would just have then same problem of no drive to put it on to.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give and sorry if this question has already been asked 99 times.
 
You started off correctly by starting up with the OS 9 disc and holding down 'C'. When you got to the point where it asks if you want to partition or do a clean install, choose clean install. Then, proceed with directions on the screen and you should be fine.
 
hmmm...

Thanks for saying I started off right. :)

I just tried again. I will tell you what I did. Probably too much info but...
OK, I did the hold down C button and got to a screen with a nice "CD" backdrop and a Window entitled "Power Mac G4 Install CD"

Icons in Window: Late breaking News, before you install, Install Mac OS 9.2 pdf, Mac OS install, Applications (Mac OS 9), CD Extras, Utilities

I opened "Install Mac OS 9.2" and got to "Select destination" and it says "Choose a disc to install the software on then click select".

At the bottom in small print it says "A valid destination volume can't be found. To continue the installation process mount a valid volume for software installation". Yes, that's easy for you to say.

In the bottom left-hand corner was an options box which I opened and it said "Perform clean installation" with a check box which I checked and closed again.

The select box was now available so I clicked it and did the "before you install" and "license agreement" pages (oooh it was all getting very exciting....) and then I got to a bit where it said "Click start to install MAC OS 9.2.1 on Power MAC G4 install CD" and I thought that couldn't be right :confused:

and obviously it didn't work :(

Now I know some of you are probably shaking your heads reading this tale. :rolleyes:

I smile at my own simplicity :eek:

Please help! I will be forever greatful x x x
 
When you get to the stage where you can choose the destination do you only have the Install CD showing?
Are there no other drives available?
 
Use the Disc Setup Utility to wipe you Hard Drive, updating OS 9 drivers. Once that is done, try running the Installer again.

Edit: In OS X, run Disc Utility, check the properties for your HD and make sure you have OS 9 Drivers Installed, if not, install them, then Install OS 9. Then do a Clean Install, just make sure it doesn't wipe your HD. It may rename the "System" folder to "Previous System Folder", just rename it back to "System", and everything should be fine.

TEG
 
Right I've been reading through all your replies. Thanks so much to everyone who is trying to help me with this. Lack of knowledge is sooooo frustrating

OK TEG after reading your reply i ran disc utility and under "partition" it had the box next to "install mac OS 9 drivers" already checked and it is dimmed.

Was this what you meant?

Please could you clarify the next step?

Did you mean to go back and repeat the steps I carried out earlier?

I can't install OS 9 because there is nothing to install it on to (see above). The drop down box next to Destination disc is dimmed and its asking me to "mount a valid volume..."

I could cry. But I won't.
 
kingjr3 said:
Just read the link I posted.
Click to expand...

Hi kingjr3

I looked at the link you posted but I wasn't sure which bit was relevant as it is about discs formatted in OS X that won't mount in OS 9.....

Sorry if I'm missing the point. Is this because I said I had games discs to run??!??

I tried 1. "Try Drive Set Up First" but when I got to step 3. I wasn't sure what to select and what I did select just to see what options came up there wasn't a functions menu or anywhere to select "Update Driver". It just had an "Initialize" box at the bottom

Or did you mean the bit at the bottom about formatting a disc. Are you trying to tell me I should reformat or partion my hard disc?

In step 5 of "Erasing a disc" before it says erase it says select the "install Mac OS 9 drivers" checkbox but as stated above when I looked in disc utility earlier that box is already selected so why do I need to erase my disc or is this because I need to partition it? which is the bit at the bottom of the page

See...I really am clueless. People like me shouldn't have such sophisticated machines cos you have to make a ninny of yourself on pages like this. :eek:
 
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