4-MB Mac Plus and AppleCD 300i Plus

Can anyone help me with this dilemma? I am trying to (if possible at all) to hook up an either internal or external CD-ROM (AppleCD300i Plus or 300e) so I can upgrade my system from 6.08 to 7.5.3. I have an external 40 mb SCSI hard drive that is currently booting up to System 6.08.
I just bought a System 7.5.3 CD from E-bay and I want to be able to hook up either an internal (is this possible on mac plus?) or external CD-ROM to boot up from CD and either re-format the 40 mb hard drive with the System 7.5.3.
I have never used the Mac Plus before as I am/was a WIndows guy and this Mac Plus gizmo I bought off flea market for $10 is really fascinating. I want to maximaize this with any help I can get from here. Thanks in advance.

Grant has already covered the important aspects. If I may add a few comments.
I order for me to access the CD-Rom, I need to install this "CD-ROM" driver on my exisitng SCSI hard drive?
Yes, or onto a bootable floppy.
To do so, am I to understand that I need somehow to download the driver first and then trasport it onto a 800k floppy, then install this ONTO / INTO the existing SCSI hard drive which currently is populated (co-exist) with System v 6.0.8?
Yes. System 6.0.8 is a good and fast operating system for the Macintosh Plus, but it is more difficult to find the appropriate driver software (and the installation per se may be slightly more complicated than with the System 7 variants).
I was hoping to completely re-format the hard drive with fresh install from the System 7.5.3 CD-ROM I purchased from E-Bay. Is this not possible?
Since we do not know exactly which CD it is (model specific?) it is hard to answer that. But you could, as Grant also said, use a Disk Tools floppy and the Apple HD SC Setup utility on it. However, at this stage (when the bootable hard disk is the only bootable disk at hand) it does not hurt to wait a little. Anyway, the Disk Tools floppy will have to be produced first, and that is a problem. You can not do this on a PC, since a built-in PC floppy drive is unable to handle the 800K Mac format, not even with special software for Mac disks. The same is true for external USB floppy drives, whether connected to a modern Mac or to a PC. The only way to create an 800K Disk Tools floppy is on an older Mac (look for a model with a floppy drive for both 800K and 1.44 MB).
If a completely fresh install to a System 7.5.3 is impossible, what recourse do I have in terms of upgrading the System from 6.0.8 to 7.5.3?
You could erase the hard disk, once a Disk Tools floppy is available, and then install System 7.5.3, This can be done from the CD (if a bootable floppy can be modified to hold a suitable CD-ROM driver) or from the nineteen files download (each file is too large for an 800K floppy and must thus be segmented or carried over via cable). As mentioned earlier, modifications et cetera require access to another Mac.
Does a version little bit earlier, like, 7.0.1 or something come with a CD-ROM driver extension on a "bootable" floppy (800k)so that I can first boot up with such floppy and then initiate reformat from the CD-ROM.
Not ready made with CD-ROM software. The System 7.0.1 disks at the Apple site are 1.44 MB. There are System 7 disks in the 800K format (in some language versions), but if I remember correctly, the Disk Tools floppy has a system file which is basically System 6. Any Disk Tools floppy will have to be modified. We will certainly find one way or another to create/modify a floppy, as soon as you have access to another Mac.
Also, I only have access to PC based machine connected to the internet. If I do download into my PC based system, is there a way to trasport such file onto a floppy disk on a PC system?
Due to the aforementioned absolute inability to handle the 800K Mac format, a PC is far from ideal in this very case. I would suggest that you look for another inexpensive (and functional) Mac from the period approx. 1991 to 1997 (perhaps an older PowerBook), e.g. through an online auction site.
A question in this context, though: Do you have a terminal emulator with file transfer capabilities for Mac on the hard disk (or possibly on 800K Mac floppies)? This could be a separate program or the communications section of e.g. ClarisWorks (I do not remember whether Microsoft Works for Macintosh contained a corresponding part). That would make transfers from other computers (including PCs) possible, or at least easier.
Jan

Similar Messages

How to create 800K disks for Mac Plus

I've acquired a Mac Plus in good working condition, but it's just standalone. Eventually I want to network it, but for right now, is there a way to use my Mac Mini or a PC to create 800k disks for the Mac Plus? Things like OS upgrades and other software are available out on the net, but I can't get them to the Plus. I've tried a USB floppy disk drive on the Mini, but it only works with HD diskettes.

sacsr,
"Can I take MacPlus-appropriate software from the internet, burn it on a CD on my Mac Mini, and load it into the Mac Plus?
Yes! : ) That simple. The Plus was the first 'business Mac' and I loved it until I got a dual floppy SE with an external SCSI HD and an excellerator card with a math co-processor. It was a very capable computer. But, as soon as you used a faster Mac, you never went back to the Plus. You could fix lunch while waiting for disk swapping to boot and load MS Word 3.
What we are saying is that the SCSI bus on the Mac Plus has far more options available for someone shopping for resources.
We have over 300 Macs of almost every model. We have been given over 100 floppy drives. We shop at government surplus stores and auctions. In all that stuff, we only have a couple of 800 k drives but hundreds of SCSI devices. They are SO much easier to find and are so much cheaper to buy and customize.
If you can find a Macintosh 800K (M131) floppy drive, great. Then you also have the problem of finding double density floppy disks ( high density disks with tape over the hole are not reliable in the older drives.)
here is a website with the whole list:
http://www.mandrake.demon.co.uk/Apple/drives.html
I remember buying an 800k floppy drive new in 1986 for several hundred Dollars. The external CD-ROM drives sold for $300.
It will probably be much easier to find an Apple 300 or 600i CD-ROM drive that should read CDs burned in your modern Mac. Your original question was about floppies. The real question is "How do I get data from a new computer to an old computer." That question offers more possibilities. I am suggesting a better and cheaper alternative. Having fun with older equipment requires purchasing intermediate equipment.
Jim

Mac Plus software needed

I have an original 128K Mac that has been upgraded to a 1MB Mac Plus that is being readied for sale. Unfortunately, somewhere in this mess I have managed to lose the OS boot floppy. I have the complete set of System 7 install diskettes, but the proFile they had been loaded on went south. Anybody happen to have this disk?
Also open to offers if anyone is interested in buying. This includes the Mac soft case, extended keyboard, mouse, case cracker tool and long-shaft torx, internal vent fan, and the back case with the signatures of all the folks who worked on the original Mac, including that of Steve Jobs.
Thanks.

You have two other options open to you: Apple still offers disk images of Mac OS 6.0.x for download, though you need a way to move .sea files from the internet all the way down to a Mac capable of writing a 800k disk, no mean feat for sure. That downloads page is here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA48312#system
There is also someone selling ready-made disks from these images:
http://rescuemyclassicmac.com/

Modem 300 compatibility with Mac Plus

I have an Apple Modem 300 that I use with my Apple //c. It connects to the Internet (in some ways) just fine. I have a Mac Plus 4MB and I was wondering if the Modem 300 specifically could be compatible with the modem. If so, also please tell me how I can. I already have Netscape installed on my Mac Plus.

For the cable connection, the following article could perhaps be of interest.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA33629
However, the modem speed is extremely low. It would of course be much better to use a faster modem (something like 14400 bps). Almost any PC-style (DB-25F port) modem can be used with a Macintosh Plus through a Mac modem cable (DB-25M to MiniDIN-8M).
I did not know that it was possible to use a Netscape web browser on a Macintosh Plus (with an external hard drive) computer. There are a few alternatives that work, such as MacWeb (under System 7). An old version of Eudora can (if SMTP authentication is not required) be used for email. You would also need MacTCP and an appropriate PPP program. For details, see the web pages below.
http://www.sjoki.uta.fi/~shmhav/68000.txt
http://www.sjoki.uta.fi/~shmhav/mac-internet-faq.txt
Jan

Mac Plus show no video

hey.
I just got a Mac plus from a friend. He says it worked when he put it into storage 8 years ago. When I got it home, I tried to put it up. It sounds like it works (get boot chime, will start to read the attached scsi drive, etc) but it shows no video. I have tapped the side, top, everything. I even have it sitting upside down. How do I get it working again?

There is only one way to properly repair your Macintosh Plus. Before you start, you ideally need a PDF copy of Apple's official service manual for the Macintosh Plus, which can be obtained if you know where to look. A copy of Larry Pina's Macintosh Repair & Upgrade Secrets is also essential, in my opinion, because it is the only book to this day to detail the correct diagnostic and repair procedures for compact Macintoshes. Used copies of this book can be purchased from Amazon and other retailers online.
You will need to open the case, and you will need a T15 long torx screwdriver to do this. Once the cover is removed, you must discharge the CRT before you proceed any further. By searching on Google you can find sufficient guides on how to properly discharge a CRT. Unlike the SE and later compact Macs, the flyback transformer in the Plus does NOT have a built-in bleeder, which means most of the charge is still there after you power down. The CRT in a compact Mac holds about 9,000 volts. Avoid touching the anode cap, video board, CRT neck and yoke, and the analog board. In the Macintosh Plus, the power supply is exposed on the analog board. This also contains high voltage which is dangerous.
Another way to get rid of most of the charge initially is to turn the brightness to full while the machine is ON, and then flip the power switch at the back to the OFF position. This is a quick and relatively safe way of getting rid of most the charge. Do this, then let it sit for a week, then discharge using the correct procedure. Then you should be safe to proceed to the next stage.
According to Larry Pina's book, no video usually means that you need to resolder the pins on the J4 connector. If this is not the problem, you may need to replace U2 and/or replace the LAG chip on logic board.
In addition to what the book states, I highly recommend capacitor replacement. The capacitors most likely need replacing on your analog board. Capacitor failure is common in machines of this age. Electrolytic capacitors lose capacitance as they age, and can sometimes leak. Replacement components are easy to source and soldering new caps is easy, providing you have at least basic soldering experience. Inspect your analog board carefully for dry solder joints. Also check for golden-colored joints.
If you have a copy of Pina's book, it has component lists in the Appendix for the analog board. If you cannot find a copy of it, I can scan and upload the pages you require to repair your Plus.
Hope this helps, let me know how you get on.

Mac plus operating system?

Hello everyone,
I just pulled my old mac plus out from my garage, and was wondering where i could get a operating system floppy disk so i could use it, because when i turn it on it either:
Has a black screen and beeps continuously.
Or just has a blank white screen that flashes on and off every few minutes...
i would appreciate it if anyone could tell me anything that would help.
thanks.

Callum,
Yes, any Macintosh computer with a built-in floppy drive is OK. However, for practical reasons, one of the models with a floppy drive for 1.44 MB (see the technical specifications) should be used. This 1.44 MB Mac floppy drive will handle 800K, too.
If the Mac operating system on that intermediary computer contains a PC Exchange control panel, a PC-formatted floppy disk can be read (it will appear on the Desktop with a "PC" floppy icon). If so, just drag-copy any downloaded .bin files (as they are, do not alter them on the PC) to a PC diskette (1.44 MB), and use that floppy for the transfer.
Alternatively, use a PC utility for Mac disks (such as TransMac or an old freeware program called HFVExplorer) for transfers on Mac-formatted 1.44 MB floppy disks.
Once on the intermediate Mac, decode the files (use StuffIt Expander for Macintosh for this). If you do not have StuffIt Expander, you can download the MACDISK.EXE file here onto a PC. Then prepare an empty PC-formatted 1.44 MB diskette via FORMAT A: in DOS or the full formatting option under Windows. Launch the MACDISK.EXE program on the PC. Follow the on-screen directions. This will result in a floppy with a StuffIt Expander installer that can be used in a Macintosh computer.
One additional difficulty is that you need 2DD/DSDD diskettes for the final step where 800K floppies are created in Disk Copy 4.2. 2DD/DSDD disks have only one square hole (with a slider), whereas a "normal" 1.44 MB HD diskette has two (one with and one without a slider). 2DD/DSDD diskettes are hard to find today. The magnetic materials are not the same, but for a very temporary use (expect errors) one can cover the extra square hole (the one without a write-protect slider) in an HD diskette with a piece of tape.
Jan

Mac plus - system 6 images

hey guys,
i recently picked up a mac plus and have downloaded the system 6 images from the support section. unfortunately, when i use stuffit to try and expand the images, it tells me that "the stuffit engine was unable to determine the format"
any suggestions?

Please note that the Macintosh Plus cannot use 1.44 MB (HD) floppies. 800K (on DSDD/2DD diskettes) is the maximum size.
External USB floppy drives are not capable of handling the special 800K Mac format. Instead, a pre-1998 Macintosh computer with a built-in floppy drive will have to be used in order to create working 800K floppy disks from downloaded disk images.
The files at the Apple download site are encoded MacBinary (.bin). Usually, it is a good idea to keep this encoding unaltered until on the computer where the system disks are to be made. Once there, an appropriate version of StuffIt Expander can be used to decode the .bin.
Jan

Mac Plus CD-ROM question

Hi,
my Mac Plus has an external (of course ^_^) SCSI CD-ROM device, model M2850G. I want to use to transfer some document from my PC. But, I was able to read some old CD-ROM created on PC, but not all, expecially the more recent CDs I've burnt on my PC with Windows utilities.
I don't know if it's caused by CD-R modern supports, or by some not-compatible configuration on my PC burning program (NERO).
On my PC, I have Windows XP Pro SP3, and Nero Burning program version 9.0.9.4.
My Mac Plus has a 6.0.x OS system with CD-ROM extensions.
Thanks in advance for help.

Usually an older CD drive won't read a disk because the burn speed was too high. Your old Apple CD rom is probably a 2X or maybe 4X. You should be able to set a lower burn speed on your PC preferable 2X but my guess is 4X might be the slowest depending on your PC's drive.
Kevin

Mac Plus keyboard cable

For a Mac Plus keyboard cable, can I substitute a phone cable or is the Mac jack wiring specialized?

Hi,
>Is everyone agreed that phone cable needs modification?
If I place the two plugs of a Macintosh Plus keyboard cable next to each other (side by side) on a table, both pointing in the same direction, with both tabs up, the wires are arranged as follows:
yellow-green-red-black yellow-green-red-black
Placing the two plugs of a handset cable from one Swedish telephone the same way, results in the following:
yellow-green-red-black black-red-green-yellow
Both cables use the same type of plug (4P4C).
As shown by this simple comparison, at least these two cables are different.
See also the 'Data port' text in this article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4P4C#4P4C
In the case of the Swedish telephone handset cable above, it appears as if turning one of the two plugs 180 degrees (using a crimping tool) would result in a cable that could be used for a keyboard. However, this is not a recommendation. Proceed at your own risk if you decide to carry on with any experimental modifications. I have not tested any modified cables.
You should check whether randomly chosen telephone handset cables in your country have the same wiring/colours as the one I examined.
Jim may also want to verify the wiring and colours with another Macintosh Plus keyboard cable.
Jan

Buddy, can you spare a mouse for a Mac Plus?

Well, I've tried to make the topic as descriptive as possible. I've got a Mac Plus and need to get an old document from its innards, but I have lost the mouse. Does anyone know where I can find one for sale in the UK, so that I can get my hands on it as soon as possible? Or maybe maybe maybe someone can lend me one for a day?
Thanks very much for your advice and assistance.
Best wishes to all, George
PowerBook 15" Mac OS X (10.4.8) Mac Plus

Jim-
there is a reference to the HD20 on that site, here:
http://www.vintagemacworld.com/hd20.html
but alas, no pictures.
Based on the torturous Startup sequence described in that article, I don't think George has an HD20.
>"It is my understanding that such hard drives are configured to work with a Mac Plus alone; their configuration is such that their contents couldn't be accessed by a more recent Mac."The Mac Plus required that you use a special format that put the next-numbered sector staggered every third sector around the disk. If you did not, the Plus was so slow it would miss the next-numbered sector if they were sequentially numbered, and still miss if they were every-other. The drive would have to endure an entire revolution of the disk to read the next sector.
If you missed the data at 3600 RPM = 60 spins/sec, or .016+ seconds, or 16.7 milliseconds additional per sector.
But the point is that that format is compatible and can be read just fine by SCSI-equipped Macs.

Trials w/ Mini Vmac emulating Mac Plus to play Sid Meier's Pirates

I was up for swashbuckling on the high seas & bought the classic game, Pirates, from Ebay. Using Mini Vmac, I've got the emulator running & then did a crash & burn when getting Pirates to start. The Mini Vmac site seems spotty regarding directions for adding software, like games to the Mac Plus desk top emulation. I may need to make the game into a ROM file for the Mac Plus to see Pirates, but don't know how.
I tried opening original apple software Disk Copy 4.2 to make a disk image for the emulator but the vmac didn't recognize the file and wanted to initialize it, maybe because Disk Copy 4.2.sea had an extension that Stuffit expander 11 didn't convert to a usable file b/4 making the disk image. SetFType.dimg couldn't make a mountable file either.
Glad to have the mini vmac emulator working, but I'm not on the high seas yet, any suggestions?
I
g5/single core Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Mac Plus System 6?

Does anyone know where I can find a floppy with System 6 on it so I can run my Mac Plus again? I don't know what happened to my system disks. When I boot with my System 6.08 tools disk it doesn't work. I'd love to play Loderunner again.

You can find System 6.0.3 through 6.0.8 on 800k floppies, as well as 1.44 MB floppies for 6.0.8 here:
http://download.info.apple.com/Apple_Support_Area/Apple_Software_Updates/English -North_American/Macintosh/System/Older_System/System_6.0.x/

2010 Mac Mini and HDMI question

Just bought a new Mac mini and have it hooked up to a Samsung px2370 HDMI to HDMI and as good as the picture looks I'm thinking it could look better ... And I've heard that generally a computer shouldn't be hooked up that way... The Mac mini has another mdp and the Samsung has dvi also, what are my options? All these adaptive have me stumped... Plus like I've heard On another thread the mini is thinking I have a television hooked up... Plus when the monitor was on 16/9 the menu bar was not visible and I changed it to screenfit on the monitor which worked but should I of kept it on 16/9 and adjusted it with underscan? Plz help

It works ok for me, I've got a 2010 mini (base model) and am using it as a server for web, iTunes and VPN. It handles lion fine, the only quibble is that being always on it heats up during the day a lot, more so than when I had Snow leopard installed. It's not to unacceptable levels though. But as dingy and beezelbubba say, Ram is cheap nowadays and if you've got the spare cash it's always worth it.

Bridging the gap between Mac Mini and iMac

Does anyone agree that Apple needs to add another model between the Mac Mini and the iMac? I think they need something like a Mac Mini Plus. Two models, one with the 1.83GHz Core Duo and one with the 2.0GHz Core Duo. The unit itself would be slightly larger than the standard Mini and include a PCI Express slot with several video card options and a faster (7200RPM) hard drive. Personally, I hesitate to buy an iMac because of the built in monitor. I would prefer to buy a separate LCD flat panel monitor that I could keep for years and use with different Mac models as I upgrade. As for the current Mac Mini, it's video and processor options are on the low end, albeit perfect for the casual user, but for someone that wants to do some gaming or video editing, they don't quite cut it.
Don't get me wrong here, I love the elegant design of the iMac, but I think Apple needs to offer something that allows us to have the iMac equivalent computing power without the built in monitor and without having spend a thousand more on a PowerMac.
Athlon XP 1800+ Windows XP Pro

Yes, I'd love something in the form of a Mac Mini that was closer in spec to the iMac.
Honestly, the only reason I won't buy an iMac CoreDuo is the built-in monitor.
And, the only reason I won't buy a new Mac Mini is that they are underpowered.
I have owned two iMac G5 systems, and both had serious faults with their built-in LCD panel.
The first would permanently etch in anything on the screen for every hour of intensive use.
It wouldn't etch it in in normal use. But, if I did any of my audio work, it would heat up the system so hot that the image on the screen would literally cook into the LCD panels plastic surface.
It literally looked like you took a razor blade, and precisely carved the exact image into the surface of the screen. Pretty nasty looking. Nothing would get rid of it, and it would happen every time I did my audio editing / processing work for an hour.
Naturally, the more work I did, the worse it got. I only got two editing sessions out of an LCD panel before having it replaced.
After going through that for a while, I sold the system after having a fresh panel installed under warranty.
I got tired of damaging the screen after every hour of work.
The second iMac G5 was purchased a year later. That one also suffered permanent damage to it's LCD panel. But, not quite as noticeable.
I know that there are a bunch of people getting ready to hit me with the "Image Persistence" explanation. But, trust me, I know about Image Persistence, and this wasn't it.
I was seeing actual permanent screen burn-in (which is not supposed to happen on LCD panels).
The service tech was absolutely amazed at the appearance of my screen. And, yes we verified it was the actual panel that was damaged. He wouldn't replace it without verifying that it was the panel itself.
Anyway, I called to arrange service on the second system again, and before I could get it in there, the backlight started flickering. And, I had already had tons of other stuff fixed on the machine. So, I sold it and bailed-out.
Now, after all the problems I've had with the built-in screens on the iMac G5 systems, I don't want another Apple product with a built-in screen. I want to use my own LCD panel.
I have an LCD panel that I'm using now. It's about 3 years old, and only cost me $200. And, it doesn't have even the slightest indication of image burn-in or image persistence. I use it every day, and use it just like I did the iMacs.
So, what I want now, is a machine comparable to the iMac CoreDuo, but without the built-in screen.
The current Mac Mini's cost way too much for their very low specifications.
I already have a Mac Mini G4. It's underpowered as well. But, no worse-off than the current Mac Minis.
Now, if Apple produced a Mac Mini with identical specs to the iMac, I'd gladly buy it.
Even better for them, I'd pay the same price as the current iMac to get it without the built-in monitor.
Yes, that's right, I'd pay the full price of the iMac to get a Mac Mini without a monitor if it was of the same specifications otherwise.
The current Mac Mini is obviously stripped-down to prevent competition with the iMac. But, I think they'd find that they would simply expand their user base if they offered a better Mini.
With their product line as it is, the current Mac Mini is not a compelling machine, and the iMac is not an option because of it's built-in monitor.
Get me a high-end Mac Mini and you've got a sale.

Front Row - Mac Mini - and PowerBook G4, Mac-Mini Multi Media centre.

I will be purchasing a HDTV is the near future and would like to buy a Mac Mini to complement it. ( then sell my DVD player )
The big question are:
-Can I ( using Front Row ) stream AVI data (film) from my PB G4 to my Mac-Mini and watch the content on my new HDTV. ( over AirPort )
-Do I need to buy a new PB that also has Front Row ? ( I hope not )
-What type of video data can I stream ? (iTunes and iPhoto I already know about)
-What about HD DVD's when they come out. Is the drive in the Mac-Mini HD DVD compatible ?( I don't think so )
Please - If you have any other relevant points or question's about the Mac-Mini usage as a multi media centre, Post them here.
15" PB G4 SD 1.5 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.5)

I just tried a AVI film and it work's with QT,
although a mpg film did not.
Now that I think about it, I tried a mpg plug-in for
QT and was disappointed.
Has anyone had any success with such a plug-in ?
Another Question:
Must then this AVI data reside in iTunes for
Front-Row to "see" it ? How does this work ?
I guess that when a Blue-Ray drive is added to Apple
products that a HD DVD will not play, or will it play
it but only burn Blue-Ray ?
When shopping for a HDTV I asked about the difference
in Blue-Ray and HD and he told me that the TV will
play both versions.
I hope that the drive will also play both, although
the way I know Apple it will be Blue-Ray only. (
at-least in the beginning ) Remember DVD-R
i would not worry about the blu-ray - HD-DVD thing right now. too much still in the air. once they realize consumers are too un-techie to figure it out and just continue to buy DVD's their will be a standard plus their is already other formats being developed. then if you talking about movies and such my guess is downloaded content is the way apple will go with an itunes movie store but thats my guess.
but yes, HDTV's will play either, its the player. I have a 61" samsung 720p DLP and my new mac mini looks good on it at 1280x720. front row is great. I also watched a ton of HD trailers from quicktime's website and they were amazing.
and from what i have seen from front row it only shows content that is in itunes or iphoto not random folders but i could be wrong, still palying around with it.

4-MB Mac Plus and AppleCD 300i Plus

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