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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Upgrade From 10.2 to 10.3
ml2001x - Jun 10, 2005 - 9:57 pm
I am new to iMacs.
I bought a used iMac (G3-400) recently for my son. It came with OS X 10.2.8 installed on it. I tried to upgrade it to 10.3 and got the warning that I needed to upgrade the firmware first. The system then wants to look for the OS 9 installation folder - but I don't have one. It seems that the previous owner did not have it installed on the iMac. I also am noticing that because OS 9 is not on my computer, I am unable to install many of my son's games. They all seem to want to know where the OS 9 installation resides on the computer. How can I remedy this? I do not have the original CDs. All I have are installation CDs for 10.3 - which I can't install because I can't upgrade the firmware because I don't have an OS 9 installation. Should I try to restore the computer to the fatory defaults? I'm trying to get a hold of a set of original OS 9 installation/restore CDs. But truthfully, I don't really know what to do when I get them. Can someone advise me? I appreciate any assistance. And can someone explain why iMacs running OS X care whether you have OS 9 installed? I don't understand it at all.
I bought a used iMac (G3-400) recently for my son. It came with OS X 10.2.8 installed on it. I tried to upgrade it to 10.3 and got the warning that I needed to upgrade the firmware first. The system then wants to look for the OS 9 installation folder - but I don't have one. It seems that the previous owner did not have it installed on the iMac. I also am noticing that because OS 9 is not on my computer, I am unable to install many of my son's games. They all seem to want to know where the OS 9 installation resides on the computer. How can I remedy this? I do not have the original CDs. All I have are installation CDs for 10.3 - which I can't install because I can't upgrade the firmware because I don't have an OS 9 installation. Should I try to restore the computer to the fatory defaults? I'm trying to get a hold of a set of original OS 9 installation/restore CDs. But truthfully, I don't really know what to do when I get them. Can someone advise me? I appreciate any assistance. And can someone explain why iMacs running OS X care whether you have OS 9 installed? I don't understand it at all.
DeltaMac - Jun 10, 2005 - 10:24 pm
The Classic environment is needed for many older programs, and the installers need that to run. The best way to do this is with an OS 9 installer CD. Make sure you get OS 9.1 or higher, as the firmware updater will not run on OS 9.0, even though your iMac might. You can download that firmware update that you need here. http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75130
The ideal way is to install from OS 9 installer CD, but you can also copy the OS 9 System Folder from another Mac that has one. The only type of OS 9 System Folder that won't work is the booting System Folder from a CD.
It's easy to install the OS 9, When you get an installer CD, just insert into your CD drive, and restart while holding the 'C'. When you see the Welcome To Macintosh screen, you can release the C. Wait for the Desktop to appear, and double-click on the installer icon that you see. Follow the instructions, just don't choose to erase or initialize the drive, and you will be OK, the OS 9 installation will install along with the programs and files that you already have on the drive. This will ask for a restart when finished, and then a simple user setup that you can choose to cancel.
Find the firmware updater that you have downloaded, and open that. Read the instructions, and find the reset button BEFORE continuing with the firmware update.
When that firmware update is complete, go to the Control Panels (under the Apple menu, and open the Startup Disk control panel, and click on the little triangle next to your drive, then select the system that shows OS X 10.2 (or whatever version you have of 10.2.x) close that control panel, and choose restart under the Special menu, and then your system will reboot into OS X.
Open your System Preferences, and click on the Classic icon. Then click on your System Folder, so it's selected. Then your apps and installers should be working OK. The first time Classic starts, you will get a message that the Classic Components need to be updated, which your system will do as soon as you click Continue.
Good Luck
- Dale
The ideal way is to install from OS 9 installer CD, but you can also copy the OS 9 System Folder from another Mac that has one. The only type of OS 9 System Folder that won't work is the booting System Folder from a CD.
It's easy to install the OS 9, When you get an installer CD, just insert into your CD drive, and restart while holding the 'C'. When you see the Welcome To Macintosh screen, you can release the C. Wait for the Desktop to appear, and double-click on the installer icon that you see. Follow the instructions, just don't choose to erase or initialize the drive, and you will be OK, the OS 9 installation will install along with the programs and files that you already have on the drive. This will ask for a restart when finished, and then a simple user setup that you can choose to cancel.
Find the firmware updater that you have downloaded, and open that. Read the instructions, and find the reset button BEFORE continuing with the firmware update.
When that firmware update is complete, go to the Control Panels (under the Apple menu, and open the Startup Disk control panel, and click on the little triangle next to your drive, then select the system that shows OS X 10.2 (or whatever version you have of 10.2.x) close that control panel, and choose restart under the Special menu, and then your system will reboot into OS X.
Open your System Preferences, and click on the Classic icon. Then click on your System Folder, so it's selected. Then your apps and installers should be working OK. The first time Classic starts, you will get a message that the Classic Components need to be updated, which your system will do as soon as you click Continue.
Good Luck
- Dale
ml2001x - Jun 11, 2005 - 9:21 pm
ok..i'm going to give this a try. I'm trying to get my hands on a 9.2.2 install CD. Thanks for the advice!
ml2001x - Jun 17, 2005 - 7:29 pm
I got a 9.2.2 install CD. I can't seem to get the iMac to boot from the CD - I've tried holding the C key down while the iMac is restarting. I can boot into OS X and then choose the OS 9 CD as the system to boot to; then it boots to the CD. Is that getting me the same result? Can I do what I need to do (install OS 9) this way? And what about just copying the OS 9 system folder? If I did it this way, where would I copy it to?
ml2001x - Jun 17, 2005 - 7:51 pm
And when I boot to the OS 9 CD (by selecting it as the Startup Disk in OS X) and try to install it, it says that it can't find the destination disk...Help!
DeltaMac - Jun 17, 2005 - 8:35 pm
If you are booted to OS 9 (you can tell by the Apple in the top left corner - blue is OS X, and multi-colored is OS 9) If you are booted to OS 9, then just double-click on the system installer icon, and follow the directions on the installer screens.
You could try copying the System Folder from the CD, but that will leave you with an OS 9 system that won't boot your iMac from OS 9. Some components in the system are only for booting from the CD, and won't work from the hard drive. That being said, it still may work as a Classic System Folder. You just copy the System Folder to the root directory of your hard drive,
It's likely that the hard drive was last erased without installing the OS 9 drivers. The only way to install the OS 9 drivers will be to erase the hard drive and reinstall everything (you lose anything that you cannot reinstall from other sources)
- Dale
You could try copying the System Folder from the CD, but that will leave you with an OS 9 system that won't boot your iMac from OS 9. Some components in the system are only for booting from the CD, and won't work from the hard drive. That being said, it still may work as a Classic System Folder. You just copy the System Folder to the root directory of your hard drive,
It's likely that the hard drive was last erased without installing the OS 9 drivers. The only way to install the OS 9 drivers will be to erase the hard drive and reinstall everything (you lose anything that you cannot reinstall from other sources)
- Dale
ml2001x - Jun 17, 2005 - 8:52 pm
How can I erase and reinstall OS 9 if when I am booted to OS 9, it can't find the destination disk (hard drive)?--I don't mind reinstalling everything from scratch, but how do I get around this?
DeltaMac - Jun 17, 2005 - 9:07 pm
I'll re-phrase my last post. You can't install OS 9 on a disk the installer can't see, likely because the OS 9 drivers were not installed. OS X does not use or need the OS 9 drivers.
The OS 9 drivers are installed automatically when using the Drive Setup utility on the OS 9 install CD (you have no choice then) The OS 9 drivers don't have to be installed when using the OS X Disk Utility - you simply uncheck the OS 9 drivers box when erasing the drive.
You cannot install the drivers for OS 9 separately. The drive must be erased to do it (and you lose everything that you can't reinstall)
You could choose to try copying the CDs System Folder to your hard drive as a test. It might work to provide a System Folder for Classic, which is probably all you really need. Keep in mind that some pieces are missing (the CD boot does not need most parts of OS 9 software), so you might have problems using some of the old games that you want to use.
The only solution, if you still need the rest of the OS 9 software, is to erase the drive, installing the OS 9 drivers, and reinstall everything else from scratch - (hint - you should install OS 9 first - and don't forget to update the firmware if that is needed.)
Are you sure you want to do that?
- Dale
The OS 9 drivers are installed automatically when using the Drive Setup utility on the OS 9 install CD (you have no choice then) The OS 9 drivers don't have to be installed when using the OS X Disk Utility - you simply uncheck the OS 9 drivers box when erasing the drive.
You cannot install the drivers for OS 9 separately. The drive must be erased to do it (and you lose everything that you can't reinstall)
You could choose to try copying the CDs System Folder to your hard drive as a test. It might work to provide a System Folder for Classic, which is probably all you really need. Keep in mind that some pieces are missing (the CD boot does not need most parts of OS 9 software), so you might have problems using some of the old games that you want to use.
The only solution, if you still need the rest of the OS 9 software, is to erase the drive, installing the OS 9 drivers, and reinstall everything else from scratch - (hint - you should install OS 9 first - and don't forget to update the firmware if that is needed.)
Are you sure you want to do that?
- Dale
ml2001x - Jun 17, 2005 - 9:21 pm
I think that's what I need to do. And I really don't mind doing it -- it'll be a good learning experience for me. I just booted to the OS 9 CD and figured out how to create and initialize the volume (excuse me if I use the incorrect terms here). So I essentially wiped out my 10.2 install and am doing a fresh install of 9.2. So after that's complete, I'll do the firmware update and then I'll install 10.3 (I never got 10.2 CDs with this iMac). Does that sound like a plan? Did I miss anything?
And I really appreciate your help and patience!
And I really appreciate your help and patience!
DeltaMac - Jun 17, 2005 - 9:26 pm
You're good to go!
- Dale
- Dale
ml2001x - Jun 17, 2005 - 10:13 pm
OK -- I got 9.2 installed and successfully updated the firmware to 4.1.9. I put the 10.3 CD in and it prompts me to restart the computer to begin the upgrade. Then it tells me that it can't select the CD as the Startup Disk. I tried to set the CD as the Startup Disk manually and cannot; I am unable to highlight it. And booting to the CD by holding down 'C' still isn't working for me. What can I do to get 10.3 installed?
ml2001x - Jun 17, 2005 - 10:34 pm
I was able to boot the 10.3 CD once I switched to the Apple keyboard (which I had not been using). Is that really the difference? So now, the 10.3 installation is moving along...
DeltaMac - Jun 17, 2005 - 10:59 pm
Without seeing your system, it's easy to miss a possibly easy fix. Glad you are able to continue on.
Yes, indeed, some non-Apple keyboards completely prevent some keyboard startups, This is one reason many techs recommend keeping a standard Apple keyboard available. This might have helped from the beginning...
You should be OK with the other keyboard, once everything gets installed.
- Dale
Yes, indeed, some non-Apple keyboards completely prevent some keyboard startups, This is one reason many techs recommend keeping a standard Apple keyboard available. This might have helped from the beginning...
You should be OK with the other keyboard, once everything gets installed.
- Dale
ml2001x - Jun 17, 2005 - 11:27 pm
10.3 is up and running along with the initial 9.2 installation. Thanks again for all of your help; it was greatly appreciated!
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