Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

tevion5

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jul 12, 2011
1,967
1,603
Ireland
Is there any way to network a Mac OS 9.1 and OSX mavericks?

I am able to share files from my Power Mac G5 running OSX 10.5.8 to my PM 8600 running Mac OS 9.1. When I try to connect to my G5's IP in the OS 9 "Chooser" it connects and can browse my G5's HDD without issue, over my Airport network. :D

However, when I try to connect to my MacBook Pro running OSX 10.9.1 running an identical file server with identical settings, it tells me it has an incompatible version of AFP (Apple File-share Protocol). :(

I know that Apple removed lots of old networking features in Mavericks, including even FTP! :mad:
Clearly, Maverick's version of AFP is just too modern for Mac OS 9 to handle.

So my question is, is there any work around with perhaps a 3rd party app on my MacBook, for it to share it's files to my 8600, while running Mavericks? :confused:
 
It's possibly the removal of "insecure" authentication methods in Lion and later.

Try this as a workaround:

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4700

EDIT: Actually, this appears to change AFP Client on OSX. I wonder if those settings affect incoming connections for OSX AFP Server as well.
 
Last edited:
Mac OS 9 hasn't been able to connect to OS X's AFP since 10.5. Apple changed the protocol and removed AppleTalk with 10.6 rendering Classic Mac AFP unusable.
 
The only way is by installing netatalk, an open-source implementation of the AppleTalk Filing Protocol, but you have to use a version prior to 3.0 to communicate with older Mac OS.

Unfortunately, I don't know of any OS X-compiled-and-ready-to-go ports, you'd have to compile it yourself. (Instructions on how to compile it are beyond me, sorry.)
 
Mac OS 9 hasn't been able to connect to OS X's AFP since 10.5. Apple changed the protocol and removed AppleTalk with 10.6 rendering Classic Mac AFP unusable.

As usual, Intell as AF, you know your stuff!

I thought I did read something about 10.5 being the last version with appletalk alright. I wonder why they dropped it?

I don't suppose there are methods for connecting to a server on a Windows 7 computer from OS 9? I did read an apple support article about using third party SMB on windows for networking with Mac OS 9. I also think windows 2000 and NT even had a version of Appletalk!

When I try to connect to any of my windows machines (all win 7) it just says "connecting" forever, but doesn't read nothing like an invalid IP.

So you guys know anything about this SMB windows workaround?

(Basically I want to have my 8600 upstairs on my airport network, and be able to access a file server on ANY one of the modern computers in my house.)

Thanks for your help so far anyway guys :)

----------

It's possibly the removal of "insecure" authentication methods in Lion and later.

Try this as a workaround:

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4700

EDIT: Actually, this appears to change AFP Client on OSX. I wonder if those settings affect incoming connections for OSX AFP Server as well.

Well this workaround might help in a while. Right now, I can only share my modern computer an connect to it with OS 9. I can't share from OS 9 because I got the 8600 second hand and don't have the admin password. I am planning to reinstall it, but I just wanted to know I could network alright with my other machines before I did that.

After I wipe it, it might work by serving itself to my MBP :)

(Also, tips for clean installing MAC OS 9 with a retail copy would be appreciated, thanks)
 
Last edited:
AppleTalk was dropped because it was an old technology from the early Mac OS years. It wasn't really used on OS X for anything other than OS 9 compatibility. And when 10.6 dropped support for PowerPC, there wasn't any need to keep Classic compatibility around. I believe Apple even dropped support for creating and formatting non-disk image HFS volumes with 10.6. I think you can get Classic Mac to talk to a Windows 7 SMB file share. I don't exactly remember the process of getting SMB shares on Classic Mac. You could also try FTP. For booting and reinstalling Mac OS 9 on your 8600, make sure it's a 9.0.x or a 9.1 disc. The 8600 can't natively boot into OS 9.2, but can after using OS 9 Helper. I do suggest using OS 9 Helper to get 9.2.2 on there. It's a bit faster, more stable, and allows for newer things.
 
I think you can get Classic Mac to talk to a Windows 7 SMB file share. I don't exactly remember the process of getting SMB shares on Classic Mac.
That required third party software.
 
AppleTalk was dropped because it was an old technology from the early Mac OS years. It wasn't really used on OS X for anything other than OS 9 compatibility. And when 10.6 dropped support for PowerPC, there wasn't any need to keep Classic compatibility around. I believe Apple even dropped support for creating and formatting non-disk image HFS volumes with 10.6. I think you can get Classic Mac to talk to a Windows 7 SMB file share. I don't exactly remember the process of getting SMB shares on Classic Mac. You could also try FTP. For booting and reinstalling Mac OS 9 on your 8600, make sure it's a 9.0.x or a 9.1 disc. The 8600 can't natively boot into OS 9.2, but can after using OS 9 Helper. I do suggest using OS 9 Helper to get 9.2.2 on there. It's a bit faster, more stable, and allows for newer things.

I have a Mac OS 9 retail ISO with the 9.1, and 9.2.1 updates separate, as well as the helper. I believe 9.2.1 adds proper USB support as well. I have an old PCI usb 2.0 card so I might try that, it would make file transfers nice and simple.

I might give the SMB thing on windows a go instead then. Thanks for the help.
 
Mac OS 9 hasn't been able to connect to OS X's AFP since 10.5. Apple changed the protocol and removed AppleTalk with 10.6 rendering Classic Mac AFP unusable.

The only way is by installing netatalk, an open-source implementation of the AppleTalk Filing Protocol, but you have to use a version prior to 3.0 to communicate with older Mac OS.

Unfortunately, I don't know of any OS X-compiled-and-ready-to-go ports, you'd have to compile it yourself. (Instructions on how to compile it are beyond me, sorry.)

Shoot - It's not my day today. :(

I could swear 10.6.x can share files with OS9. Don't forget that SharewayIP was bundled with OS9 to tunnel AFP over TCP/IP instead of AppleTalk, but I will admit that 10.7 and later seem to have no way of sharing with OS9 without third party software and breaks SharewayIP.

----------

I have a Mac OS 9 retail ISO with the 9.1, and 9.2.1 updates separate, as well as the helper. I believe 9.2.1 adds proper USB support as well. I have an old PCI usb 2.0 card so I might try that, it would make file transfers nice and simple.

I might give the SMB thing on windows a go instead then. Thanks for the help.

My experience with OS9 and generic USB 2 cards on machines without built in USB ports is that they are flaky at best, besides only operating at USB 1 speeds. To clarify, a USB 2 card on a B&W G3 or G4 tower works fine on OS9 (but still at USB 1 speeds).

A USB 1 card with an OptiFirelink chipset works as expected on earlier PCI PowerMacs.
 
Though this is designed with the Apple II in mind, it's just as useful for older MacOS access, too:

Can be installed on a VM, Pi, or extra x86 box sitting around.

http://appleii.ivanx.com/a2server/

A2SERVER lets you use a Raspberry Pi, or almost any other computer, to serve files to Apple IIgs and enhanced IIe computers on your network. You'll also be able to boot into GS/OS or ProDOS 8 directly from the network (no drives needed). A2SERVER has been designed to be as easy to set up and use as possible, and it's free.

A2SERVER is based on open-source software, primarily Netatalk 2.2.4, with many utilities and enhancements to make everything as easy as possible.

Choose how you'd like to use A2SERVER, and you'll be up and running shortly.


I used a similar setup with Ubuntu, Netatalk 2.2.4 and Samba, to act as a central server to everything, OS X 10.9, 10.6, MacOS 9.1, 7.6 and 6.0.8, GS/OS (Apple IIgs) w/Ethernet, and ProDOS 8 on //e's.

Everything accesses the same shares.


An offshoot of A2SERVER is A2CLOUD:

http://appleii.ivanx.com/prnumber6/category/a2cloud/

Hello, and welcome to A2CLOUD! It uses a Raspberry Pi, a tiny silent $35 computer, to provide internet access, mass storage, and floppy disk transfer for almost any Apple II — even a IIc.
 
Though this is designed with the Apple II in mind, it's just as useful for older MacOS access, too:

Can be installed on a VM, Pi, or extra x86 box sitting around.

http://appleii.ivanx.com/a2server/

A2SERVER lets you use a Raspberry Pi, or almost any other computer, to serve files to Apple IIgs and enhanced IIe computers on your network. You'll also be able to boot into GS/OS or ProDOS 8 directly from the network (no drives needed). A2SERVER has been designed to be as easy to set up and use as possible, and it's free.

A2SERVER is based on open-source software, primarily Netatalk 2.2.4, with many utilities and enhancements to make everything as easy as possible.

Choose how you'd like to use A2SERVER, and you'll be up and running shortly.


I used a similar setup with Ubuntu, Netatalk 2.2.4 and Samba, to act as a central server to everything, OS X 10.9, 10.6, MacOS 9.1, 7.6 and 6.0.8, GS/OS (Apple IIgs) w/Ethernet, and ProDOS 8 on //e's.

Everything accesses the same shares.


An offshoot of A2SERVER is A2CLOUD:

http://appleii.ivanx.com/prnumber6/category/a2cloud/

Hello, and welcome to A2CLOUD! It uses a Raspberry Pi, a tiny silent $35 computer, to provide internet access, mass storage, and floppy disk transfer for almost any Apple II — even a IIc.

Wow this looks very cool, I'll read up on this! Especially seeing as I just bought an Apple II Plus the other day! :p
 
I also think windows 2000 and NT even had a version of Appletalk!
They do indeed, a Windows 2000 Server VM on my Windows 7 PC is my solution for transferring files to/from classic Macs - it's nice and quick to set up, you just need to install "Services for Macintosh" on an out-of-the-box 2000 VM and create a Macintosh (AFP) share:
 

Attachments

  • Untitled.jpg
    Untitled.jpg
    312.9 KB · Views: 1,392
They do indeed, a Windows 2000 Server VM on my Windows 7 PC is my solution for transferring files to/from classic Macs - it's nice and quick to set up, you just need to install "Services for Macintosh" on an out-of-the-box 2000 VM and create a Macintosh (AFP) share:

This sounds like my best option actually!
 
Ah, yes- forgot about that- NT Server is a great cheap solution to get AFP on a network, though you still have to deal with media conversion if you don't have ethernet in the lower end Mac.
 
What about "Web Sharing"? You'll need to ZIP any files to preserve resource forks, then drop them into the "Web Sharing" root directories.

I've used it before to transfer stuff. A bit of a kludge, but workable.
 
Ah, yes- forgot about that- NT Server is a great cheap solution to get AFP on a network, though you still have to deal with media conversion if you don't have ethernet in the lower end Mac.

My 8600 has built in Ethernet luckily and is connected to my airport network with Internet access. :)
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    1.9 MB · Views: 903
I use Farallon EtherWave adapters for the older machines, though they're not as plentiful anymore. They're the green things that sort of resemble a Manta Ray.

The most common ones nowadays seem to be the AAUI variety, and those are equally has handy as you can put one on a desk next to something else and just extend the CAT5 without having to add a hub/switch/run another cable or resort to switching between devices. Though they're only 10Mbit.
 
Not the problem at all as OS 9's AFP file sharing doesn't work with 10.6 either due to the removal of AppleTalk.

OS 9 supported Appleshare over IP, so it should work with this change.
 
connecting from snow leopard mac os x 10.6.x to my mdd mac os 9.2.2
is possible

cmd-k connect to server afp://192.168.x.x
opens + shows me all drives in my mdd

this doesnt work with lion or above i think.. only with snow leopard
trust me it works ive just done it..
filesharing on the mac os 9 machine must be enabled (which requires enabling appleTalk for whatever reason)
its somewhat useless tho because u cant do it the other way around, cant connect mac os 9 to mac os x afp server.... only the mac os x machine will see the mac os 9 machines file share.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.