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Some G4 OS 9 install woes

fuchsdh

fuchsdh

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Jun 19, 2014
2,032
1,841
So I got my MDD, and an OWC SATA SSD with an IDE adapter. My goal is to install OS 10.3 and OS 9 on partitions on the SSD, and use the original HDD for a later OS or something that strikes my fancy.

After fiddling, I got the SSD installed, although in the process the original hard drive disappeared from the boot options (I swapped their position in the drive cage, so I'm wondering if this has anything to do with the master/slave status, but it's probably just a loose power connector or something.

I partitioned the drive using the 10.3 install discs, although I realized that my discs are upgrade only and I need another copy of OS X. Apparently my Jaguar discs are also upgrade only. D'oh. Installing OS X will have to wait.

My real problem begins when I try and install OS 9, however. I inserted a 9.2.2 disc, but it threw up an error when I booted from it—I have to install 9.1 first to upgrade. I go to the 9.1 disc, but I can't boot too it—I get the Mac/flashing folder icon. I go back to the 9.0 disc, but get the same issue—doesn't show up as a boot option when pressing the C key or Opt. There don't appear to be any serious scratches in the discs, so I'm wondering if I'm missing something regarding the installation. The obvious answer to me is the MDD don't support the earlier versions of OS 9, but then the question is whether it's possible to install OS 9 without the system restore discs for the model.
 
2nd on what model? Did you have OS 9 running on the old hard drive?

If have one of the final OS 9 bootable Macs, you may have this issue- The oldest OS they can run is 9.2.2 so you can only install OS 9.2.2. The OS 9 retail disk is 9.1 specifically, therefore not compatible with the 9.2.2-only computers.

The OS 9.2.2-only boot Macs are:
PowerBook G4 Titanium 1Ghz and 867Mhz
PowerMac G4 MDD Models w/o FireWire 800
eMac 1Ghz (I think)

(PowerMac G4's prior to these are capable of booting/installing using the OS 9.1 retail install disk. PowerMac G4 MDD's WITH FW800 cannot boot OS 9 at all, it's classic mode only for these guys).

If you have one of these last generation OS 9 bootable macs install OS 9.2.2 you have a couple options. The first would be to obtain the PowerMac G4 system restore discs appropriate for your model. The second is to install OS X (10.2-10.4), find the MDD G4 OS9 system files online, and copy them onto your hard drive (which must be formatted with OS 9 drivers using OS X install discs). The third is to do a NetBoot of 9.2.2, which I don't know much about it but you could research it.

I don't know if this is your problem, but I just pulled this up for anyone it may apply to. I just had to go through a similar procedure for my 1Ghz TiBook.
OS 9.2.2. System Folder for PowerMac G4 MDD

Again, for this method to work, you will need OS X disc or at a minimum OS X already installed with the OS 9 drivers, which is possible.
To use this software to boot an MDD in OS 9, use Disk Utility in Mac OS X (10.1-10.4) to format a hard drive in "Mac OS Extended" format, and be sure to choose the option to include Mac OS 9 Drivers. Once formatted mount the .dmg file and copy the System and Applications folders from the disk image to the hard drive. Restart your MDD via the Startup System Pref Pane or with the Option key held down, and select your Mac OS 9 drive as the Startup Disk.
Click to expand...
 
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catzilla said:
So no MDD can boot OS 9.1...
Click to expand...

Correct, no MDD models can boot 9.1. And like I said, FW800 cannot boot OS 9 because logic board ROM does not support it*. It creates an annoyance since restore discs tend disappear with age.

*Though I am now reading here it FW800's can may boot OS 9 if you make some modifications. It turns out Apple ended up selling a MDD 1Ghz FW800 server in the edu market that could boot OS9. FW800 will slow down to FW400 and USB 2.0 to 1.1.
 
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I've got a first-gem MDD so the FW800 issue isn't mine.
A.Goldberg said:
2nd on what model? Did you have OS 9 running on the old hard drive?

If have one of the final OS 9 bootable Macs, you may have this issue- The oldest OS they can run is 9.2.2 so you can only install OS 9.2.2. The OS 9 retail disk is 9.1 specifically, therefore not compatible with the 9.2.2-only computers.

The OS 9.2.2-only boot Macs are:
PowerBook G4 Titanium 1Ghz and 867Mhz
PowerMac G4 MDD Models w/o FireWire 800
eMac 1Ghz (I think)

(PowerMac G4's prior to these are capable of booting/installing using the OS 9.1 retail install disk. PowerMac G4 MDD's WITH FW800 cannot boot OS 9 at all, it's classic mode only for these guys).

If you have one of these last generation OS 9 bootable macs install OS 9.2.2 you have a couple options. The first would be to obtain the PowerMac G4 system restore discs appropriate for your model. The second is to install OS X (10.2-10.4), find the MDD G4 OS9 system files online, and copy them onto your hard drive (which must be formatted with OS 9 drivers using OS X install discs). The third is to do a NetBoot of 9.2.2, which I don't know much about it but you could research it.

I don't know if this is your problem, but I just pulled this up for anyone it may apply to. I just had to go through a similar procedure for my 1Ghz TiBook.
OS 9.2.2. System Folder for PowerMac G4 MDD

Again, for this method to work, you will need OS X disc or at a minimum OS X already installed with the OS 9 drivers, which is possible.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. http://macintoshgarden.org/apps/mac-os-922-powermac-g4-mdd

However the instructions are a bit unclear:
To use this software to boot an MDD in OS 9, use Disk Utility in Mac OS X (10.1-10.4) to format a hard drive in "Mac OS Extended" format, and be sure to choose the option to include Mac OS 9 Drivers. Once formatted mount the .dmg file and copy the System and Applications folders from the disk image to the hard drive. Restart your MDD via the Startup System Pref Pane or with the Option key held down, and select your Mac OS 9 drive as the Startup Disk.
Click to expand...

Ok. So the first step's done—I've got the SSD partitioned via the Panther install discs so they're OS 9 ready. Here's the question though. "Mount the .dmg film and copy the System and Application folders from the disk image to the hard drive"—so I essentially need to boot to my old hard drive in the MDD, download and mount the supplied download… and then I just copy over the system folder and such to the bare/empty OS 9 partition I’m trying to create? And that will turn it into the OS 9 bootable drive they describe?
 
fuchsdh said:
I've got a first-gem MDD so the FW800 issue isn't mine.

Thanks for the info. http://macintoshgarden.org/apps/mac-os-922-powermac-g4-mdd

However the instructions are a bit unclear:


Ok. So the first step's done—I've got the SSD partitioned via the Panther install discs so they're OS 9 ready. Here's the question though. "Mount the .dmg film and copy the System and Application folders from the disk image to the hard drive"—so I essentially need to boot to my old hard drive in the MDD, download and mount the supplied download… and then I just copy over the system folder and such to the bare/empty OS 9 partition I’m trying to create? And that will turn it into the OS 9 bootable drive they describe?
Click to expand...

Yes, drag and drop install works fine for OS 9
 
A.Goldberg said:
Correct, no MDD models can boot 9.1. And like I said, FW800 cannot boot OS 9 because logic board ROM does not support it*. It creates an annoyance since restore discs tend disappear with age.

*Though I am now reading here it FW800's can may boot OS 9 if you make some modifications. It turns out Apple ended up selling a MDD 1Ghz FW800 server in the edu market that could boot OS9. FW800 will slow down to FW400 and USB 2.0 to 1.1.
Click to expand...

CORRECTION: NO G4 Desktop (With the exception of the USB 2.0 Models of the iMac and eMac) HAVE USB 2.0 ports. Kinda odd if you ask me because they had USB 2.0 back in 1999 that MS made support for with Windows 98SE yet Apple didn't offer it until 2004 with the iMac and eMac USB 2 models.
 
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MatthewLTL said:
no G4 mac (With excepton of the eMac iMac and Mini HAVE USB 2 ports....
Click to expand...

And

The whole range of Aluminum Powerbooks with the exception of the very first generation models

All iBook G4s

BTW, Intell has said that the FW800 models have USB 2.0, but Apple intentionally(and very adamantly) locked out the USB 2.0 capabilities in them. Someone else(I forget who) reported that when they downgraded the firmware on their FW800 to the MDD2003 version(to allow OS 9 booting), the USB ports actually functioned at 2.0 speed.
 
here is the MDD 9.2.2 install disc
http://www.mediafire.com/download/fks4q3i0hlk77e0/Mac+OS+9.2.2.iso.sit

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bunnspecial said:
And

The whole range of Aluminum Powerbooks with the exception of the very first generation models

All iBook G4s

BTW, Intell has said that the FW800 models have USB 2.0, but Apple intentionally(and very adamantly) locked out the USB 2.0 capabilities in them. Someone else(I forget who) reported that when they downgraded the firmware on their FW800 to the MDD2003 version(to allow OS 9 booting), the USB ports actually functioned at 2.0 speed.
Click to expand...

how do i downgrade?
 
jbarley said:
In your mind maybe, but not in your post.
Click to expand...

DELETED

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Speaking of OS9.... Does anyone know how to INSTALL OS9 drivers? I tried setting that up using Tiger on the MDD and i saw no option anywhere I was thinking of doing the Firmware Downgrade on my MDD to run OS 9 on it just for ***** and giggles. I have never used OS9 so i figured it would be a fun hack to do.
 
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MatthewLTL said:
Speaking of OS9.... Does anyone know how to INSTALL OS9 drivers? I tried setting that up using Tiger on the MDD and i saw no option anywhere I was thinking of doing the Firmware Downgrade on my MDD to run OS 9 on it just for ***** and giggles. I have never used OS9 so i figured it would be a fun hack to do.
Click to expand...

Erase and repartition the drive...that's the only way I know to do it. Intell has told me that it can be done through Terminal, but it's a lot of work.
 
MatthewLTL said:
anyone who has ever used or known the history to eMac's and iMac G4s ALSO know that too... again rather self-explanitory
Click to expand...

I'd say the generation labeled "USB 2.0" is a safe bet, although mine is the prior "1.0 GHz G4". Someone not aware of this might easily complain of the slow USB performance on their 1 GHz.
 
MatthewLTL said:
I pretty much thought it was self-explanitory... considering i mentioned ONLY desktop G4s...

----------

Speaking of OS9.... Does anyone know how to INSTALL OS9 drivers? I tried setting that up using Tiger on the MDD and i saw no option anywhere I was thinking of doing the Firmware Downgrade on my MDD to run OS 9 on it just for ***** and giggles. I have never used OS9 so i figured it would be a fun hack to do.
Click to expand...

Well considering you used the word Mac that would pertain to all Apple computers. Again, people can't read your mind. Your answer was not even correct to start off with.

I have a link to a discussion about it if you read my previous post. Start your own thread before you hijack another.

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MatthewLTL said:
anyone who has ever used or known the history to eMac's and iMac G4s ALSO know that too... again rather self-explanitory
Click to expand...

Just stop.

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MatthewLTL said:
that's what i did before installing Tiger, there was no option to install OS 9 drivers
Click to expand...

Do you have a FW800 G4?
 
A.Goldberg said:
Well considering you used the word Mac that would pertain to all Apple computers. Again, people can't read your mind. Your answer was not even correct to start off with.

I have a link to a discussion about it if you read my previous post. Start your own thread before you hijack another.

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Just stop.

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Do you have a FW800 G4?
Click to expand...
yes. But i have downloaded the 9.2.1 Mac ROM to downgrade the firmware to boot OS 9
 
catzilla said:
So no MDD can boot OS 9.1...
Click to expand...

No MDD can boot any retail 9.2.1 full stop. In fact, the last Quicksilvers and all of the MDDs require specific builds of 9.2.2 to boot. The last retail disc released was 9.2.1 with a subsequent 9.2.2 updater. However, even the updater lacks the required ROM and system enabler for these late Powermacs. Ditto the last generation TiBooks and later eMacs and iMacs.

You will either have to find the specific bundled discs or try your luck with the 'Universal OS9' booter, which was put together with the 10.2.1 ROM.
 
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