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[Nehalem501]

Hello,

I recently got a G4 Power Mac MDD and I would like to install Mac OS 9 on it.
It seems like this is the last model produced in 2003, on the back it is written M8570 (EMC 1914C). Unfortunately, the person I got it from wasn't the original owner and didn't have the restore discs.

I have a universal 9.2.2 install disc that it can boot from fine, but when trying to run the installer, it gives me the "this program cannot run on your computer" error. I read online that I need the specific restore disc that was sold with the mac because it was released after the last retail version of Mac OS 9. Where can I find it ? There are plenty of disc images on the macintosh garden, but not enough info to know which one to choose.

I'm asking specifically about Mac OS 9, because I know that I can use the regular discs for installing Mac OS X.

[aBc]

I believe that the absolutely-positively last (and latest and greatest) MDD install set is available via the MacOS9Lives Hotline server... and maybe someone else can guide you through that process?

I’m again, many miles from my base and have yet to setup my normal machine here... so if nobody else chimes in before, I can probably be a bit more helpful tomorrow. Sorry that I can’t be of more help at present.

In the meantime, you might try this one from Mac Garden:
https://macintoshgarden.org/apps/power-mac-g4-software-install-restore

I’ll check / compare this later tonight or tomorrow.

Good luck!

OR. There’s also MacTron’s Bootable Rescue CD & Disk Repair (Plus Version) w/ optional OS Install... if you only want OS 9.2 - but that’s also only on the Hotline server now as well. You can read more about it here:
https://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?topic=1657.msg7404#msg7404

However, the included download link there is now dead.

[aBc]

Okay, looks like my ever-helpful colleagues haven’t jumped all over this. So…

If you haven’t figured this out already, go to: https://macos9lives.com/downloads and at the bottom, pick a client suitable for your use. Then you can possibly access the Hotline files for downloading.

Because I’m using an Intel machine, examples from the Nostalgia client here:



For some reason the MDD Restore set is under Diagnostics & Repair… but so are
MacTron’s Bootable Rescue CD & Disk Repair downloads. Again, good luck.

[Nehalem501]

Thank you for your very detailed reply.
I will try this tonight.

[Nehalem501]

I've tried multiple hotline clients, and they all can't connect.
Are the credentials (username and password) not the same as those on the forum?

I also tried pursuing a different route using gopher, but it is downloading the files at a ridiculously low speed (around 15KB/s).

[Knezzen]

There's no username or password for Hotline. Pick your preferred nickname and connect. Not everything on the internet is a gated community

[Nehalem501]

Still doesn't work

I've tried the Nostalgia client on multiple intel macs (newer and older), after entering the address and a username (with or without password), it will try to connect for a split second, and then I get back to the login window.

On my main computer that uses Linux, I've tried Obsession, which I've built myself as the project doesn't distribute Linux binaries. There it will give me errors when I try to connect (the server closed the connection). I don't have a Windows machine around to try Pitbull Pro and it doesn't run in wine.

UPDATE: I've manager to download the images using lynx as a gopher client, seems like the slow download speed was caused by the Firefox extension I was using.

[aBc]

Sorry for the difficulties. I don’t think that I ever used (or entered) a username. I might have tried initially to do so - but seem to remember it resulting in similar problems. Instead, simply after entering hotline.macos9lives.com in the Nostalgia client and connecting, I’m able to double-click on the Files folder and select, then access / download… without ever setting up a New Account or using Open Account.



You may note that I then subsequently appear as ‘Nostalgia User’ under the Chat window.



Hope that this may help. It really does work quite well, once you get the hang of it.

[Knezzen]

I've tried the Nostalgia client on multiple intel macs (newer and older), after entering the address and a username (with or without password), it will try to connect for a split second, and then I get back to the login window.

Exactly. Like I wrote, don't put in a username or password and just hit "Connect". Username and nickname are two different things.

[Nehalem501]

Thank you for your help, hotline works now!

But I have a different issue now, I've burned all the provided ISOs to disks, and none of them can be booted by the Power Mac (I get the question mark folder screen). Do I need the last one (Power Mac G4 691-4681-A DVD) that seems to be missing? (only a PNG with a photo of this disc seems to be available)

[aBc]

Are we having fun yet?

Seems that the… Power Mac G4 691-4681-A DVD is missing from the Hotline server (nice picture of it though). You might try the #11 download from Macintosh Garden site - https://macintoshgarden.org/apps/power-mac-g4-software-install-restore

That’s 691-4681-A vs. Z691-4681-A? The first noted as “Restore 1” - and the second noted as simply “Restore”. Again, sorry for the trouble and thanks for pointing out the absence. Site downloads transitioned to the Hotline server around this time last year and maybe everything, quite simply did not make the journey.

[Knezzen]

Strange. Everything I got from DieHard is on the Hotline server. Was it ever there before?
Good thing Macintosh Garden is available and stable

[macarone]

I've tried multiple hotline clients, and they all can't connect.
Are the credentials (username and password) not the same as those on the forum?

I had a similar problem when the Hotline server first started. At that time the problem was an incorrect server name. A kind soul on a DIFFERENT blog gave me the correct name, and I was eventually able to log on.

There was also someone here who used to advertise a First Class BBS and also always gave the wrong server, so he never picked up additional users.

I've been told the name for such posters is "tit shakers".

macarone

[aBc]

Here’s a mention / notice that one of the discs images (iso) was missing, by Hyram back in 2018 and IIO’s response that “this specific download is currently >being< used >as< a test case for moving the forum content to a new host.”. https://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?topic=4433.msg31588#msg31588

And then there’s this original description of that 2003 MDD Restore set from DieHard (back in 2016).
http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?topic=3266.msg20810#msg20810

691-4681-A (DVD)  SOFTWARE INSTALL & RESTORE 1

2Z691-4744-A (CD)  SOFTWARE INSTALL & RESTORE 2

691-4078-A (CD)  SOFTWARE RESTORE 1 OF 4

2Z691-4103-A (CD)  SOFTWARE RESTORE 2 OF 4

2Z691-3548-A (CD)  SOFTWARE RESTORE 3 OF 4

2Z691-3600-A (CD)  SOFTWARE RESTORE 4 OF 4


And then, compare the above with the images shown from Macintosh Garden…
https://macintoshgarden.org/apps/power-mac-g4-software-install-restore

691-4872-A (DVD) Software Install and Restore 1 of 2

2Z691-4873-A (DVD). Software Install and Restore 2 of 2

2Z691-4744-A (CD)  Software Install and Restore 2

691-4681-A (DVD)  Software Install and Restore 1

Z691-4681-A (DVD)  Software Install and Restore

Note:
The first two above, show © 2004 and have 10.3.2 as opposed to 10.3.
I would be tempted to try the first two DVD downloads from Mac Garden.
And especially if the 691-4681-A (DVD) from the 2003 MacOS9Lives set is lost.

What-a-mess.

And… “tit shakers”? ...Really?

[Nehalem501]

I was busy lately, but I found some time this weekend to finish this.
I have now Mac OS 9 working on this machine, I was surprised it could work at the native 1920x1080 resolution of my screen.

Thank you very much for your help everyone!