Mac OS 9 booting on: Mac mini G4 (Detailed Posts)

[IIO]

ah it would work with the 8->9 updater? i wasnt sure whats "included".

[indibil]

You should be able to install the Spanish Mac OS 9 onto the Mini over FireWire target disk mode from a compatible machine (or just drag and drop with the right connection) and update that installation to 9.2.2 if needed with the correct language update from Apple.

After that, I had a script which was intended for upgrading those on v8 of the Mac mini System to v9, but it should also work on any standard install of OS 9.2.2 to make it compatible with the Mini; it updates the ROM and has other patches for example.

It’d be best to try the v9 updater on a fresh install of the Spanish OS 9.2.2 just to make sure it all works fine; older versions of the updater would update the System Suitcase, which may have affected the language in some way, I would have to check if this one does that still.

The updater is here

Update to v9.sit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dbfZEfYgbhWLGK2JY_xbGjlxrvzzWdSX/view?usp=drivesdk

Thank you very much! I have to get another computer to do the target installation and try it out. Perhaps it would work to make 2 partitions, in one install the patched version of 9.2.2. Booting from that OS, and then maybe I could run the installer over the other partition and then apply the V9 patcher. I don't remember if OS 9 allowed to install on another partition without booting from CD.

I try to test it in a few days, now this Mini G4 is my only G4 equipment.

[indibil]

Hello, I have connected a Firewire disk and I have installed Mac Os 9.2.2 in Spanish on that hard disk from the Mac Mini 9.2.2 current english installation that i have. After installing, I have executed the V8 to V9 patcher but I get the following message:

"The disc named XXXXXXX, either does not have Mac Os 9 on, does not exist, or is read only!"

Am I doing something wrong? I have copied and pasted the name of the hard drive, there is no error. Could it be because the V7 to V8 patcher is missing?

[RossDarker]

Looking at the contents of the v9 updater, it doesn't include the Sleeper control panel or Sleeper related things, so you would need to first use the v8 updater, then the v9 updater, but doesn't look like that will solve the disk problem; not sure why it's saying that.

Have you checked you can actually write to the disk over firewire?
Perhaps try a different name for the disk.

The v8 updater is here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17n20BaT_bLgBtsGJwS0D-6sNWJ-Kuluh/view?usp=sharing
which you'd then follow with the v9 updater.

If you still have the disk problem, you could always patch things manually; I just can't quite remember exactly what the scripts remove, it's only clear what they add by looking at the items in the Resources folder.

Another suggestion would be to just replace the ROM from the Spanish install on the Mac mini with the one from the Resources folder in the v9 updater. The Mini would then boot, and you could run both of the updaters in order from the Mini itself to get all the patches.

I should probably make an updater that doesn't depend on previous versions one day, so that it can be used for this exact purpose!

[indibil]

Looking at the contents of the v9 updater, it doesn't include the Sleeper control panel or Sleeper related things, so you would need to first use the v8 updater, then the v9 updater, but doesn't look like that will solve the disk problem; not sure why it's saying that.

Have you checked you can actually write to the disk over firewire?
Perhaps try a different name for the disk.

The v8 updater is here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17n20BaT_bLgBtsGJwS0D-6sNWJ-Kuluh/view?usp=sharing
which you'd then follow with the v9 updater.

If you still have the disk problem, you could always patch things manually; I just can't quite remember exactly what the scripts remove, it's only clear what they add by looking at the items in the Resources folder.

Another suggestion would be to just replace the ROM from the Spanish install on the Mac mini with the one from the Resources folder in the v9 updater. The Mini would then boot, and you could run both of the updaters in order from the Mini itself to get all the patches.

I should probably make an updater that doesn't depend on previous versions one day, so that it can be used for this exact purpose!

Thanks for answering. I have tried the same again with V8 and it shows me the same error. The disk allows me to write without problems, I can copy files. I have then tried to replace the ROM file with the V9 version within Mac OS 9.2.2 Spanish, I have booted by pressing the ALT key and the FW disk has appeared. I have selected it and when booting the diskette with the question mark inside has appeared, and after a few seconds the English OS 9.2.2 has booted. Just changing the ROM file can't boot.

Edit: sometimes it start it but freezes when it shows the desktop.

[RossDarker]

Would suggest booting the Mini with the shift key to temporarily disable extensions, sounds like there is an incompatibility somewhere. Maybe some extensions from the Spanish OS 9 being used are different versions to the ones on the standard system that is restored.

Even though the v9 ROM doesn’t require OS 9 drivers, it’s probably still a good idea to have them on the disk (since v8 is involved too at some stage) with a reformat from Mac OS 9.

Once you’re able to get to the desktop and run the updaters, it should be enough.

[zefrenchtoon]

Hello!

If the Spanish version of OS9 is in the same shape of the French one, you will have to be careful about ATI drivers.
On french version of MacOS, Apple translated the filenames of extensions / control panels so if you try to install updated drivers (which usually are in EN-US language), you will get some files in double because of their differents names (i.e. the old one whith spanish name and the new one with english name) and this cause several crashes. 

[indibil]

Hello!

If the Spanish version of OS9 is in the same shape of the French one, you will have to be careful about ATI drivers.
On french version of MacOS, Apple translated the filenames of extensions / control panels so if you try to install updated drivers (which usually are in EN-US language), you will get some files in double because of their differents names (i.e. the old one whith spanish name and the new one with english name) and this cause several crashes. 

Thanks for the warning. I have looked and the two installed ATI kext are in English, like the ones in the patch. I have taken the opportunity to add all the new kext manually.

Would suggest booting the Mini with the shift key to temporarily disable extensions, sounds like there is an incompatibility somewhere. Maybe some extensions from the Spanish OS 9 being used are different versions to the ones on the standard system that is restored.

Even though the v9 ROM doesn’t require OS 9 drivers, it’s probably still a good idea to have them on the disk (since v8 is involved too at some stage) with a reformat from Mac OS 9.

Once you’re able to get to the desktop and run the updaters, it should be enough.

I have a bug on me. I tell you. I've booted up by pressing shift to disable the extensions. With the extensions disabled the patches are not executed, they must need something that is deactivated. I have tried to boot without shift but it crashes, so what I have done is add the V8 patch in "Startup Items" and when booting it has been executed, I have inserted the hard disk, and the same error message has appeared. Can it be my Firewire drive's fault? I can write and delete on it, but the patch gives that error.

[IIO]

yep, there is also the risk that something requries stuff to have certain names. it begins with simple things like the quicktime updaters.

[zefrenchtoon]

IIRC, Apple did the same mess (filenames' translation) with QuickTime INITs  (and not kext  )

In fact, Apple did it on every System component, event the System suitcase (called "Système" in French) but not with the Finder fortunately 

That's why, It is quite a pity to get a French MacOS really up-to-date

[jackoverfull]

Honestly I gave up on Italian Mac OS 9 long ago: the added issues are just not worth it for me.

[RossDarker]

In fact, Apple did it on every System component, event the System suitcase (called "Système" in French) but not with the Finder fortunately 

Probably something like this is why the script is not detecting Mac OS 9 installed. From the other posts though, it sounds like there could be other issues.

[indibil]

Since the first installation in Spanish was done with a CD that directly installed 9.2.2 for iMac, I did the "correct" installation again from 9.0.4->9.1->9.2.1->9.2.2. this installation has more extensions, including ATI, and with names in Spanish. I changed the ROM file and ATI extensions to it, booted from it to apply the V8 patch, but got the same error.

I'm afraid it won't be easy, I haven't used OS 9 for many years, I discovered it with my G4 Gigabite in 2000 and the shine of OS X made me forget it little by little. Now over the years I value that "simplicity", it amuses me to be able to surf the internet with OS 9, it's so charming. I even keep dozens of CDs and DVDs with software that i have saved, and that I am going to rescue from oblivion

[IIO]

general advice when you assemble system folders manually: make use of the label colors in finder.

i.e. install something, then, before you do anything else, mark all the items in /extensions blue, so that you can later easily identify which items are new.

[soviet9922]

Hi, installed and works so well is even faster than my mdd !, the mac mini is a monster performer on os9 .
But the sound is saturated like when you have a set of speakers way past the max volume.
But my speakers are ok.

Maybe someone knows how to fix this?

[DieHard]

But the sound is saturated like when you have a set of speakers way past the max volume.
But my speakers are ok.

Maybe someone knows how to fix this?

Many cheap alternatives are available, this is documented way too many times to reiterate, just read some posts for USB solutions

[soviet9922]

Thanks, took a random generic usb audio thingy from a drawer and it work right out

[nex86]

great work so far, I'm running Version 9 on Mac Mini G4 1.5ghz
but I'm having an issue with volume control..
sound works, but volume is stuck at 1% and I can't seem to turn it up.

I made a video to demonstrate the issue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-RtD_XnbKg

how to I fix this?

[FBz]

See: http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php/topic,5952.0.html

[gregbuchner]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all of this. I read about Mac OS 9 on Mac Mini's a few months back, finding it by accident, and this became a goal of mine. I had two PowerMac G4's, a Digital Audio (upgraded with dual 1.6 GHz G4s) and a MDD Wind Tunnel. But I could no longer stand the noise from the Wind Tunnel and something happened with the processor card on the DA model. I thought I was sunk on getting a working G4 with native OS 9 support until I saw this.

So bought a 1.42 GHz Mini on eBay (couldn't find a 1.5 GHz model), bought a PATA SSD and a 1 GB RAM stick. Burned the Ross's CD (a few copies just in case). Well, the G4 came today, disassembled it, put in the SSD and the 1 GB RAM, and the booted off of the CD.

Booted successfully there, formatted the drive with the disk utility, did the restore, selected the SSD for the Startup Disk and away it went.

Issues I experienced (so far):
1. Original mouse I was using did not work. Grabbed an Apple mouse (the one with the little trackball) and it worked, but I think I need a mousepad for it.
2. Couldn't get networking to work yet. I wonder if something on my switch isn't supporting 10/100 Ethernet. I'll have to dig into that a bit more.

Pluses:
1. It supports my 1920x1200 display via DVI with no issues.
2. Cheap USB keyboard worked with no issues.

To come:
1. Will it work with my KVM? Hoping, but won't be too disappointed if it doesn't. The G4 Windtunnel didn't...
2. I'm glad I kept some old FW cases around, I have ones that are FW400. I'll have at least that as a minimum to move the games I want to play from the Windtunnel to the Mini.
3. Audio (yep, read about the USB audio options.)

Hardware:
RAM: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VN1U3PM?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
SSD (128 GB): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0091T4ZWU?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

Yes, I know the issues with TRIM, but I'm not going to put much on there and I'm probably not going to be creating/deleting a lot of files.

Does anyone have a preferred hub to get more USB ports for the Mini? I think all of mine are USB 2 or later.

Thanks again for all of this work. Sometimes old stuff is just more entertaining. It's why I still have all of my old Apple II stuff.

Now, is there a good ADB to USB adapter where I could use the Apple Extended ADB keyboard and ADB mouse with the Mini?