This has been one of the most popular columns in the history of
Miscellaneous Ramblings. This article has been superceded by Low End Mac's Compleat Guide to Mac OS 9, 2008 Edition. dk
I've pretty much switched to OS X for production work, but I'm
still glad to have the good, old classic Mac OS available as a
standby. If you have an older Mac that is not supported by
OS X - or even one of the slower G3 machines that is - there
is still a strong case to me made for running OS 9, which is a
great operating system. There are also certain software
applications that are only supported in OS 8/9 that may be mission
critical for some users.
Whether you really can get along without the ability to boot
directly into the classic OS is an important point to consider when
planning a system upgrade these days. Most new Macs (see below) can
no longer dual boot.
Apple has posted a handy compatibility
table outlining which Mac models, from the '040 Centris
machines of the early 90s through the new aluminum PowerBooks, are
supported (or not) by the Classic Mac OS versions 8.x and 9.x. It's
worth a look if you have questions about what OS versions your
machine can handle.
For example, Apple's chart shows that my
late-in-the-production-run PowerBook 2000 will support OS 9.1
through OS 9.2.2, while my new 700 MHz iBook can only boot into OS
9.2.2 (and, of course, OS X).
Executive Summary, Last Supported Mac OS
- Centris, Quadra, and other '040-based models, Mac OS
8.1
- Power Mac x100, pre-G3 PowerPC-based PowerBooks, PowerBook G3
(Kanga), Mac OS 9.1
- PCI Power Macs, Mac OS 9.2.2, not
officially supported by Apple
- All other G3 and G4 models, current version of Mac OS
X
The only currently available new Macs that can dual-boot into
OS 9 are the recently upgraded 800 MHz and 900 MHz iBooks, the 15" PowerBook G4 models, and a smattering
of holdover dual bootable configurations
of the original Mirrored Drive Doors G4 Power Mac. (These Power
Macs are more expensive than their X-only replacements.)
All other current Mac models won't boot directly into any
Classic OS version, but they do support OS 9.2.2 in OS X
Classic Mode.
Apple has also posted a Knowledge
Base article describing the updates available for Mac OS 9,
and the order in which they must be installed. You must install all
prerequisite software before installing any update. For example,
when updating Mac OS 9.0 to Mac OS 9.2.2 the updates must be
installed in this order:
- Mac OS 9.1 Update
- Mac OS 9.2.1 Update
- Mac OS 9.2.2 Update
Note that the free downloadable Mac OS
9.1 Update contains fewer updates and extras than the Mac
OS 9.1 CD-ROM. This reduces the amount of data that must be
downloaded at once.
The downloadable update contains core system software updates,
Apple Remote Access (ARA) Client Server 4.0, and QuickTime 4.1.3.
The Mac OS 9.1 download may only be used to update a computer that
has Mac OS 9.0.x installed. It is available at Apple
Software Updates.
The Mac OS 9.1 CD includes additional updates to the Mac OS that
are not a part of the downloadable Mac OS 9.1 Update. Some of these
additional items are available separately at Apple Software Updates
or from third-party websites (non-Apple software). The disc may be
used for full installation or clean installation.
You can find out more in Mac OS
9.1: Downloadable Update Versus Mac OS 9.1 Disc.
Apple recommends, "You should use the latest version of Mac
OS 9 [that your hardware supports]." Pre-G3 Macs only support
up to OS 9.1 officially, although 9.2.2 can be installed and used
on most PCI models. IMHO, this is no hardship in most instances,
although there are a few applications (very few) that require OS
9.2.2. I use OS 9.1 as my OS 9 boot system by preference on my
Pismo PowerBook, although the Pismo
supports 9.2.2.
Speaking of OS 9, a question that crops up fairly frequently is
where to obtain an OS 9 install CD. One way is to purchase a
copy of OS X 10.2 (or a new Mac), after which Apple will sell
you an OS 9.2.2 install CD for $19.95. OS X 10.1 packages also
include an OS 9.2 CD.
Several resellers list OS 9 CDs, but often at prices that won't
save you much, if anything, over going the conventional route of
paying $129.95 for OS X plus the $19.95 surcharge for OS
9.2.2.
eBay is another possibility. Here are some online
sources. Visit the respective Websites and run a search for OS 9 or
OS 9.1.
Apple OS 9.1 OEM gray full install CD. Compatible
with iBook, PowerBook, iMac, PowerMac model that has a G3 processor
stock or a G3 or G4 upgrade installed. $49.95
- Mac OS 9.1 CD in sleeve. Full installation. Not an upgrade CD.
A burned CD containing the OS 9.2.1 and 9.2.2 updates is included.
Many people think a Mac OS 9.0 installation is needed before Mac OS
9.1 can be installed. This is not true. $129.99
- Mac OS 9.2.1 CD in sleeve. Full installation; not an upgrade,
$149.99
- Mac OS 9.2.2, $149.99
Mac OS 9.2.1, CD only, in sleeve, $81
Note that any version of OS 9 - including OS 9.0, 9.0.4, 9.1,
9.2, and 9.2.1 - can be upgraded to the current 9.2.2 using free
updaters that can be downloaded from Apple's software support
site.
New Macs still come with OS 9.2.2 installed, although they can
us it only in Classic Mode with the above-noted exceptions (iBooks,
15" PowerBooks, dual booting Power Macs). It is a good idea to drag
a copy of the OS 9 System Folder to backup media when you
first get your Mac (or better late than ever), which will allow you
to restore it by simply dragging it back to your hard drive,
instead of the tedium of running the software restore CD or DVD.
