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[StefanH]

My name is Stefan, born and raised in Sweden and have been living in Utah, U.S.A., since 1991.  I worked extensively with multi-media and Photoshop in OS 9 and had it nicely configured.  When OS X was introduced, it seemed like a nice update moving forward.  I need to re-visit some software only available in OS 9, so I am researching the possibility of purchasing a computer directly bootable on OS 9.

Even though I had OS 9 configured to run nicely with a great workflow, the last version I used regularly crashed and just shut down.  This was not isolated to my computer and OS but a known overall issue.  Any feedback as to how this can be resolved and what would be the best version of OS 9 to use would be much appreciated.  Going back this many years, I have questions as to where to get OS 9 and software install disks.  If I remember, the OS 9 apps were not internet downloadable but mostly provided with installation CD Roms.

I will mainly need a good sound editing application for OS 9.

Thank you for maintaining this OS 9 dedicated website and forum.

[aBc]

Welcome Stefan. It seems that you have found the right place and we’re glad to have you. You might now begin by telling us more about what sort of OS 9 bootable computer you may be looking for -whether it might be a desktop model MDD, Quicksilver, etc. or if you’re thinking more about a laptop?

Everything else like software downloads of OS 9 and sound editing applications etc. will then quickly follow afterwards. And whatever we might not have here via a Hotline server for downloads, there’s also MacintoshGarden.org 

[Jubadub]

Hi Stefan, you may find install discs and various software over at the Macintosh Garden, as @aBc pointed out, located at http://macintoshgarden.org/

Mac OS 9 is a really powerful and stable OS, and whatever "known issues" you faced were not a fault of the OS: something was wrong with your setup, and with whoever else's setup that also faced related or unrelated issues.

If you get a Mac OS 9 machine up and running again, we will gladly troubleshoot and walk you through any issues you may end up facing, if any.

The latest version of the OS, Mac OS 9.2.2, is your best starting point, especially feature-wise, but also performance-wise. Although you are in a good place with just about any Mac OS system version.

[StefanH]

Thank you guys for the warm welcome and fast feedback.  I was pleasantly surprised to find such a vibrant forum dedicated to MAC OS 9.  The main software I will use on MAC OS 9 is a slideshow programming APP called TRAX by Dataton in Sweden.  Widely used by the presentation industry worldwide.  This is to control and program multiple old slide projectors using a time code synced with a soundtrack for precise timing. This is the feedback from one experienced power user:

"Undoubtedly the best Macintosh computer to use is one of the G3 or G4 “laundry basket” towers WITH A GEE THREE STEALTH port added. The towers standard modem was removed and the Gee Three Stealth port was installed in its place. This provided a legitimate AppleTalk port that was rock solid and reliable. No external adapter to misplace or damage. I ran a pair of the G4 towers with the Gee Three Stealth eight shows a week, 50 shows a year, with scheduled monthly cleaning, for six years without any issues.  The show stereo audio all came from the Mac. Running the audio from the Mac eliminated any issues. Of course, finding a Gee Three Stealth today may be close to impossible.

Alternately, there was a USB-serial adapter from Keyspan that provided two AppleTalk ports that proved to be reliable."

[aBc]

(1). You may want to visit - https://macos9lives.com/downloads where you can find and directly download  the OS 9 “Universal Install”. There are other OS 9 installer files for different types of OS 9 downloads for specific machines, but the “Universal”? Well it’s in the name and as it is described.

(2). Dataton Trax 3.7.1 (and 3.6.2) available here: https://www.macintoshrepository.org/7560-dataton-trax-3-7-1-and-3-6-2- Also an interesting .pdf manual available there too.

(3). Original GeeThree stealth ports and Griffin g-Ports are now indeed rare - and only very occasionally found on eBay etc. “Jamport” by Alex Hixon was available at one time and now his design is available via Github (if you’d want to build one yourself). Two years ago there was something called CircuitTalk, by CircuitBored here: https://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?topic=6778.msg51794#msg51794

And again, this all can depend upon what type of computer…

Further inquiries about hardware, software, etc. may be best opened under another new topic.
As your quest develops and continues.

And again, welcome Stefan!

*Oh, and then there's also this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/267122641041?
 

[Knezzen]

Välkommen till Mac OS 9 Lives, Stefan! Väldigt roligt att ha en till svenskspråkig här, även om du bor i förenta staterna numera

I hope you'll like it here at this small, friendly Mac OS 9 centric corner of the web

[StefanH]

Tack Knezzen, just det, heja Sverige