Mac OS 9 on a Powerbook G4 A1139 1.67Ghz

[johnie89]

Hi guys!

I'm new here, and I've never used OS 9 before, but thought I'd check it out.  I'm just wondering has anyone been able to get it working on the 17" Powerbook G4 1.67Ghz (A1139)?

[IIO]

not ... yet.

[Knezzen]

Whats the status on this? I have the 15" version (A1138) and would love to get 9 running on it

[Roman323]

It will never work - the last G4 PowerBook 5,9 won’t support booting OS 9.

[IIO]

that´s what they said about the mac mini.

[Roman323]

Hi,

To get OS 9 to boot on a 1.67 PowerBook G4 1.67 DLSD is just as wishing it to boot on a G5.

[IIO]

no, getting something to work is not the same as wishing to get something to work.

[part12studios]

on this subject and i imagine i know the answer (no) but i happen to have three G4 powerbooks.  a 1.0ghz, 1.33ghz and 1.5ghz model.  all three are 12" powerbooks. 

[IIO]

i foresee huge problems with the graphics chip architecture in the 1.67, and i wouldnt bet on ethernet and backlight either.

we once a had a thread here about the last alu series, one main problem is that they are rare to find. if we dont manage to send out a bunch of free machiens to those who are working on it, we will never get it running.

[SDG]

Another problem with the last generation iBooks and PowerBooks is that Apple switched the keyboard/trackpad connection protocol from ADB to USB gearing up for the switch to Intel, which has no support for ADB. For that reason, you cannot use replacement keyboards/topcases for the A1138/9 from previous models as they just won't work at all. Needless to say, there was no notebook that natively booted with OS9 that had a USB controlled keyboard so you would probably have to use an external keyboard and mouse with that model unless someone is good at writing extensions.

[part12studios]

That makes sense. Though it is silly to think that the only thing keeping it from running properly is keyboard and mouse interfacing. I would’ve assumed it was something deeper that’s inherently not compatible. Like logic board or something.  I would be willing to donate one of my 12 inch MacBook’s to someone if they are interested in trying to find a solution.  After all one of the ones I got was from the Mac museum so I’m happy to see it be sent to a good cause.

[darthnVader]

It's completely doable to boot OS 9 on any G4 Apple ever made, I got in booting on my 1.5Ghz 12" Powerbook, it just takes a little learning and testing.

It just comes down to a matter of what works and what doesn't, USB trackpads on the latter iBooks and Powerbooks are an issue, they are not a HID device the OS 9 understands, even under OS X they won't work if you install an version unsupported on your Mac.

GeForce powered Powerbooks like my 12" won't have any graphics control 'NDRV', but ATI powered ones should have basic display support( 'NDRV' ) with a patch.

Sleep and power management won't work, and without an Open Firmware hack, 7447a powered iBooks and Powerbooks will run at 50% CPU speed under OS 9.

USB only works at 1.1 speeds.

Airport Extreme doesn't work.

Cardbus may not work.

Sound won't work on 2005 models.

Other than that, with the correct knowhow, you can boot OS 9 on any G4 Mac, just take the time to read some threads around here, and learn to build a custom Mac OS ROM.

[IIO]

Another problem with the last generation iBooks and PowerBooks is that Apple switched the keyboard/trackpad connection protocol from ADB to USB

why should it be a problem that the keyboard is connected via usb? do you think that this additional usb port will be so special that OS9 would not be able to use it?

we have seen this already with the firewire port on the MDD. which is a real problem for us audio guys because then you are left with one fw 800 port only.

[LarsG5]

It's completely doable to boot OS 9 on any G4 Apple ever made, I got in booting on my 1.5Ghz 12" Powerbook, it just takes a little learning and testing.

It just comes down to a matter of what works and what doesn't

True, booting into OS9 is not an issue. It all boils down to how usable the machine under OS9 actually is or can be.