Mac OS 9 Compatibility, Upgrades, Hacks, and Resources Update

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 This article has been superceded by Low End Mac's Compleat Guide to Mac OS 9, 2008 Edition.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 long since switched to OS X for production work, but I still use a 233 MHz WallStreet PowerBook G3 Series for a fair bit of my text crunching, editing, and HTML markup, and I'm glad to have the good old Classic Mac OS available as a standby even on my two OS X machines, although I go months without ever booting into it.

If you have an older Mac that is not supported by OS X, or even some of the slower G3 machines that are like my WallStreet (supported through to OS X 10.2.8), 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.

Mac OS 9.2.2 is delightfully fast, responsive, and rock-stable on my PowerBook. I've rebooted twice since mid-May, both times because of software installs. I went for more than three months last summer without rebooting. That's with 2-3 hours of daily use, and I got up to nearly "Untitled 700" in Tex Edit Plus documents before I finally had to restart due to satisfy a software installer.

Whether you can get along without the ability to boot directly into the Classic OS is an important point to consider when planning a computer upgrade. Apple no longer makes any Macs that can boot directly into the Classic OS.

Apple has posted a handy compatibility table outlining which Macs are supported (or not) by the Classic Mac OS versions 8.x and 9.x, from the '040 Centris machines of the early 90s through the new aluminum PowerBooks. It's worth a look if you have questions about what OS versions your machine can handle.

For example, the chart shows that my late in the production run PowerBook 2000 (Pismo) will support OS 9.1 through OS 9.2.2, while my two-year old 700 MHz iBook can only boot into OS 9.2.2 (and OS X, of course ).

All current Mac models are incapable of booting directly into any Classic OS version, but they support OS 9.2.2 in OS X Classic Mode, although Apple has begun phasing out default installation of OS 9.2.2 for Classic Mode support.

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:

1. Mac OS 9.1 Update
2. Mac OS 9.2.1 Update
3. 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 disc. 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 disc includes additional updates to Mac OS that are not a part of the downloadable 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.

Also note that with the NuBus motherboard architecture Power Macs (6100, 7100, 8100, and related models) upgrading to OS 9.1 requires a Mac OS 9.1 Full Install CD, as Apple did not support these oldest OS 9 compatible Macs with its free updaters. For more information on this see <http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106089>.

Apple recommends that "You should use the latest version of Mac OS 9 [that your hardware supports]." Pre-G3 Macs only support up to OS 9.1. IMHO, this is no hardship in most instances, although there are a few applications that require OS 9.2.2.

However, there is an installer patch that allows you to install 9.2.1 or 9.2.2 on certain "Old World" Macs that Apple has dropped support for. Mac OS 9.1 is the final version that Apple allows to install on anything previous to the Beige G3.

The hack works with all of the "PowerSurge" models, including the Power Mac 7300, 7500, 7600, 8500, 8600, 9500, and 9600. The 6500 seems to work as well. They also work on the PowerBook 2400, 3400, and original G3 (a.k.a. 3500 or Kanga). The NuBus Power Macs (6100, 7100, 8100 series, and the Duo 2300) have only had limited success with the patch.

Speaking of OS 9, a reader 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 10.3 (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.

Hardcore Mac

• Mac OS 9, $149.99
• Mac OS 9.0.4 full installation CD, in sleeve, $149.99
• Mac OS 9.1. Many people think a Mac OS 9.0 installation is needed before Mac OS 9.1 can be installed. This is not true. $149.99
• Mac OS 9.2.1 CD in sleeve. Full installation, not an upgrade CD. $159.99
• Mac OS 9.2.2, $159.99

Other World Computing

• Apple OS 9.1 Full Install CD OEM Gray. Compatible with iBook, PowerBook, iMac, PowerMac model that has a G3 processor stock OR has a G3 or G4 Upgrade installed. $49.95
• Apple OS 9.1 and OS X 10.1.x CD license bundle set. Requires Power Mac upgraded to or stock with a G3 or G4 processor. New. $39.95

The Apple OS 9.1 CD supports installation of the Mac OS 9.1 on any iMac, any Power Mac or PowerBook model that came stock with a G3 processor, and any pre-G3 Power Mac model that has been upgraded with either a G3 or G4 Processor. Your Macintosh must be able to use Mac OS 9.1; some newer systems require Mac OS 9.2, so check before buying.

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 (except for the above mentioned NuBus machines).

New Macs still come with Mac OS 9.2.2 bundled on the Software Restore CD, although on the newest machines it's not installed, and if you choose to install it, it only supports Classic Mode. Once you install, it's a good idea to drag a fresh copy of the OS 9 System Folder to backup media, 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.

Once you have Mac OS 9 up and running, you might want to read Best Web Browsers, Word Processors, and MP3 Players for the Classic Mac OS for some software suggestions.