eMac G4/1.25 (USB 2.0)

[waspinator]

I have an old eMac G4 1.25 GHz running 10.5 Leopard, that I'd like to downgrade. Preferably to Puma/OS9. I know it wasn't ever officially supported, but is there any way to install an older version of MacOS? I noticed the similar speced Power Mac G4 1.25 can boot OS9. Any ideas what changed? Is it something to do with the firmware?

I've tried burning some install disks (9.2 and 10.1) I downloaded, but none of them seem bootable (don't show up when holding down option). I'm probably messing up somehow.

Is there a known good install disk image (OS9 or Puma) I can try along with instructions on how to restore it to CD or an external drive?

Thanks

[Protools5LEGuy]

Welcome waspinator.
Everymac says http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/emac/specs/emac_1.25.html for your eMac.

iMic has modded the Apple Rom file from the Drag'n'drop install from DieHard. It allows you to install OS9 on some unsupported models.
 
There is a subforum for Unsupported models here: http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?board=127.0

[Protools5LEGuy]

You will need to install the OS9 drivers with OSX diskutility when you format the harddisk with a computer that support OS9.

I would take the drive off, go to a friend that has OS9, format there the drive and install back to the eMac. Then I would install Panther-Tiger-LEo, and once you have Panther, drop the Drag'n'drop install on the drive.

http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?topic=1859.0

Last thing, change the AppleRom file with the hacked from iMic

[Protools5LEGuy]

I have an old eMac G4 1.25 GHz

As you will see on subforum, I have been waiting for a eMac user to come here to test OS9.