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[WimbMac]

iMac (17 inch, Flat Panel) G4, S/N: xxxx2500xxxx
Can’t load Mac OS 9 no matter what I try (but pretty sure I have the right disk).

Hey guys,

I’ve been working hard to get this iMac G4 I just got with a bunch of disks on eBay with Mac OS 9.2 and I’ve about had it.

The closest instructions I’ve found is in the Topic: How to Install Mac OS 9 if you already have OS X Installed http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php/topic,305.0.html, but I don't want OS X with classic, I just want 9.
 
(I started trying to put on 9.2.2? Because those are the disks I have).

Here’s my pack:

It WAS 10.2 fine with no problems. I obtained the following disks:

GREY (603-0425-A Software Pack)
- Mac OS 9.2.2 “iMac Mac OS 9 Install” 691-3314-A
        - LOADS 20% AND THEN STOPS (never gets to Apple Installer)
- Mac OS Version 10.1.2 “iMac Mac OS X Install” 2Z691-3491-A
    - LOADS TO AN ALL-GREY SCREEN

- Mac OS versions 10.1.2, 9.2.2 “iMac Software Restore 1 of 4” 691-3523-A
    - LOADS 20% AND THEN STOPS (never gets to Apple Installer)
- Mac OS versions 10.1.2, 9.2.2 “iMac Software Restore 2 of 4” 691-3524-A
- Mac OS versions 10.1.2, 9.2.2 “iMac Software Restore 3 of 4” 691-3525-A
- Mac OS versions 10.1.2, 9.2.2 “iMac Software Restore 4 of 4” 691-3526-A

- iMac Applications 691-3316-A

GREY W/ WHITE OUTER-RING
- Mac OS X and Mac OS 9 Applications “iMac Software Restore 1 of 3” Mac OS version 9.2.2 691-4066-A
    - LOADS TO A FLASHING “?/FACE” FOLDER
- Mac OS X and Mac OS 9 Applications “iMac Software Restore 2 of 3” Mac OS version 9.2.2 691-4068-A
- Mac OS X and Mac OS 9 Applications “iMac Software Restore 2 of 3” Mac OS version 9.2.2 2Z691-4067-A

- “iMac Mac OS X Install Disc 1” Mac OS version 10.2 2Z691-4024-A
    - LOADS TO THE APPLE INSTALLER!!!!!
- “iMac Mac OS X Install Disc 2” Mac OS version 10.2 2Z691-4025-A

SILVER
- Apple Hardware Test “SW version 1.2” 691-3317-A
    - LOADS TO “Apple Hardware Test does not support this machine.”

In summary, two out of my three 10.2 install disks work fine. None of my Mac OS 9.2.2 disks work… well, one gets me a 20% load, the other is invisible.

My theory, of course, was that Mac wasn’t formatted right. This seemed to be confirmed by that post I found:

“CRITICAL - INSTALL MAC OS 9 DRIVERS FIRST !
It is important that the disk drive containing the partition you are installing Mac OS 9 onto has been formatted with the option for "Mac OS 9 Drivers" checked... otherwise, ANYTHING ON THAT DISK WONT BE VIEWABLE TO OS9. This is the biggest cause for problems when trying to install Mac OS 9 from OS X; The Mac OS 9 drivers are basically a few bytes of info. at the beginning of the drive that are read by Mac OS 9 (and ignored by Mac OS X).  The only way to install these drivers is when you initially partition a drive from scratch…”

Great, so I loaded to the Apple Installer using the white CD w/ Jaguar “X”. Opened Disk Utility, erased a partition someone had made, and then reformatted the whole thing, top-level, to Mac OS Extended, making sure to select Install Mac OS 9 Drivers. Completes fine, builds the sub-level, and I see the boot-drive-to-be also have “Install Mac OS 9 Drivers” greyed-out-and-checked.

Try all the disks again. Same issues. Best I can get from a 9.2.2 Install CD is a 20% load from the CD and then it hangs.

So if I have the wrong CDs, that's fine. Can someone please tell me the fastest and cheapest way to get a CD or pack of CDs that will load Mac OS 9.whatever.whatever with all basic included software?

If the answer is the "Mac OS 9.2.2 Universal Install - ISO CD Image G3s & G4s (Most Popular)", how?

[Mardeec]

I’m still pretty new to old Macs, but if you want only OS9 on your iMac, I would suggest using the Mac OS 9.2.2 Universal Install - ISO CD Image.  I’ve used it on a G3 iMac and G4 PowerMac, and it worked perfectly. 

Do you have a way to download the image and burn a CD?

[ovalking]

800MHz or 1GHz?
The latter only boots to 10.2+

[WimbMac]

To be honest, since I am not able to see "About this Mac", I am not sure what MHz it is. But, I think the serial number xxx2500xxx means it's 800. I think xxx3000xxx was when 1GHz started.

So let me simplify my ridiculously detailed post. I want 9.2.2 on this iMac G4 (800 MHz). What's the easiest way to do it.
For this ISO... all I do it download it, then burn that to a CD, then pop it in and viola, I'm installing Mac OS 9?

[torvan]

If you go to the Apple Menu and select About This Mac, it will generally tell you which iMac you have. You can also use Apple System Proiler (in OS9) or Apple Menu-About This Mac-More Info  in early OSX.

You can also head out to https://everymac.com/ultimate-mac-lookup/ and put your SN in there and it will pull up your machine.

But be aware of this: it is simply an exercise of frustration and fruitless if you have the 17" FP iMac at 1 Ghz or higher to get 9.2.2 on it. Some are reporting success, are not having success with doing so thanks to the nVidia video chip in it, particularly in the 1.25 Ghz.

You can see the entire thread about all the attempts to do so at http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php/topic,1173.0.html

[WimbMac]

This iMac is an 800 MHz PowerPC 7445 (G4).


So quite simply, what's the easiest way to get 9.2.2 only on it?

[macStuff]

https://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac_800_17_fp.html
i had the restore discs of this system backed up on my mediafire account
i gave them to jerry (diehard) to add to the site
its too bad they arent posted here  yet

but you can find them on the macintosh garden site
http://macintoshgarden.org/apps/imac-g4-17-summer-2002-software-restoreinstall-discs-apple-hardware-test

[WimbMac]

I'm so confused. Can no one just tell me how to put Mac OS 9 on this iMac?

[torvan]

Since you have the 800, grab the Universal install of OS9 from Mac Garden (http://macintoshgarden.org/apps/mac-os-921-universal), then burn it to CDR.

Boot the Mac with the mouse button held down--it will then eject the CD. Pop in the burned disk and watch it boot 9.2.1 off the disk. Once Finder loads, the window should show you the Install MacOS9 or Restore option. Open either one and off you go installing OS9.

[WimbMac]

Thank you!