Corrupt OS 9 systems folder?

Dear Friends,
I am working on my church's computer. The original OS 9.1 is installed on one hard drive and a second hard drive is partitioned with OS10.4.8. The second partition has OS10.0 with fresh install.
The goal is to be able to convert data from a church database application in OS 9 to the new version in OS X. When using classic in the OS 10.4 the system folder used is OS 9.1 from the first disk. I get a message to upgrade that folder to 9.2.2. I have tried to upgrade to 9.2.2 on the OS 9.1 disk but upgrade fails. After many attempts I have been unable to use the conversion program in the church data base application to update data base with new version of application in 10.4. I've tried so many work arounds I am now dizzy. Could you help me get this process organized and successful? The support staff at the database application have told me this is a Mac upgrade issue and that their software is working correctly. I can have the company do the upgrade but I need to have an archive of old church records in the new format.
I think the problem is in the system folder from the old OS 9.1 software, but I cannot seem to get it to work properly. Without that step I cannot do the conversion.
I can give you other info if needed, thanks.
Church mouse 3

Hi, churchmouse, and welcome to Apple Discussions.
The Digital Audio PowerMac G4 was originally shipped with OS 9.1 installed, and can boot into that OS if a) the installation of OS 9.1 was performed using the original, model-specific disc that came with the computer, AND b) the installed OS is in good shape.
There is almost no earthly reason to keep a copy of OS X 10.0 installed on any computer. If someone in the church has a grievous sin to expiate, using OS X 10.0 for a week or two would be a fitting penance. 10.0 was a beta version — barely half there, less than half ready, and pure misery to use.
If I were you, I'd erase the partition that contains 10.0, use the original disc(s) that came with the G4 to install OS 9.1 on that partition, and then update that installation to 9.2.2 witht he downloadable OS 9.2.1 and 9.2.2 updaters (you can't skip 9.2.1). Then I'd designate the new OS 9.2.2 System Folder for use as Classic in the Classic pane of OS X 10.4's System Preferences, and put it to the test. OS X may want to update a few Classic-related files before Classic will open, but the updates should go well now. If Classic opens and works, test to make sure you can also start up the G4 from the 9.2.2 partition: you should be able to do that, too.
If all seems to be well, copy any important data files that are currently stored on the OS 9.1 hard drive from it to the new OS 9.2.2 partition. After converting them to the new file format as needed and checking to make sure they open and work as desired, I'd suggest performing a Clean Install of OS 9.1 on the second drive.
Contrary to what Beavis has written above, a Clean Install deletes nothing from the drive it's performed on; it merely creates a new, pristine System Folder on the drive and renames the old one "Previous System Folder," leaving that folder and its contents (and everything else on the drive) intact. The term "clean install" is frequently misunderstood and misused to mean an installation that first erases everything, and I presume that's what Beavis was talking about. That isn't what a real Clean Install does.
Mac OS 8, Mac OS 9: Performing a Clean Installation

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(45924)

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Basic Backup
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Carbon Copy Cloner
Data Backup
Deja Vu
SuperDuper!
Synk Pro
Tri-Backup
Visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on backup and restore. Also read How to Back Up and Restore Your Files.
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Cool Drives
OWC
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California Drives
NewEgg
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I really need some help here
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Hello, and welcome to Apple Discussions!
You will need a source for a valid and installable OS 9.2.2 system for use
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Used to be, you could call Apple sales support at 1-800-MY-APPLE and ask to
speak to a product specialist about replacement original discs for the iBook G4
and provide them with the product's serial number, and order a new replacement
set of install discs, for a reasonable fee. The correct Apple Hardware Test is on
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You may be able to identify your iBook by serial number by using the search
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know more about upgrading it, getting replacement or upgrade software, and
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You may be able to find a way to install an OS 9.1 or OS 9.2 on an external HDD
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On a trial basis and to test some hardware, I was able to use a newer iBook G4
second install disc which contained an OS 9.2.2 install, and use it as Classic in
a different computer running OS X, by use of Pacifist utility. This takes a packet
of data out of the disc and then installs it from the desktop, directly. It can work.
But there are so many variables some of the things that Could Work, may Not.
Some suggest you may be able to make a copy of a working OS 9.2.2 system
folder and an Applications 9 folder from a working computer and use them as
Classic in some other OS X PPC model of Mac that does not boot OS 9.2.2.
You may be able to use a USB flash drive to copy an OS 9.2 system and its
applications (9) folder. You may even be able to test it as a working idea,
while it still is on the USB memory drive; by pointing the Classic preference
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and drop it into the computer. The good about old OS 9.2 & before, is the
simple way to move a system around; and OS X won't allow that method.
And of course, OS X 10.5 Leopard can't use an OS 9.2.2 Classic.
The original install disc set would be the best bet. Is there any chance the seller
may have misplaced the software set belonging to the computer you bought?
These are considered a part number of the computer, as such, part of the sale.
If bought from a company who fixes and resells computers, do they offer any
optional software for an additional fee? The discs should be included, but in
several instances, people buy a computer second-hand and have no software.
You may have to contact resellers and maybe even auction sites, once you can
identify the exact set of software you need; companies such as welovemacs or
others you can search for may have something; most are overpriced, to me.
The ebay auction tales are enough to scare me into keeping the original discs
and include them when I forward the computer to some other future user.
I have not bought any replacement software online, and OS 9.2.2 installers for
a specific OS X running computer, to be used as Classic, narrow the field; since
the OS 9 system installer on iBook disc media is often made for that model.
Well, I have ideas. And they seem to work better for me in person than when
I've told some persons about them online. Just as well, if there's some glitch
you can avoid by finding the correct discs (in the land of plenty) that's good.
To *search " OS 9.2.2 install CD " in google* may bring up some choices,
but I have no experience with retail resellers of old or used software.
In a few cases, if you get very good at identifying iBook G4s, you may
be able to find a broken one exactly like yours with the original software.
These should be relatively inexpensive; but have very limited use discs.
Hope this may help, somewhat...
Good luck & happy computing!
+PS: I think I need a little more coffee!+

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I am using a MacBook Pro 2011 model with OS X 10.9.4.
Since I bought the machine several years ago, I have had only a few small problems with it. Yesterday I wanted to reduce the size of a video, so I downloaded a video compressor/converter software, and left the computer on and the program compressing my video whilst I went off to work. When I returned home, the compressing program had a pop-up saying ''Could not complete compression, system full'' or something along those lines.... After trying to play the movie without success, I decided that I would restart my computer, as it had been on all day.
When the computer restarted, it came up with the grey loading bar, which usually comes up when I have done a software update. It disappeared quite soon and several minutes later, my user profile appeared. I logged in as normal, and then tried to open my browser. An error message popped up stating"Can't open user profile directory, because you lack sufficient privileges. You might want to contact the administrator of this machine". I then tried to open other programs and they all came up with similar messages and did not open. Skype stated "Can't create a lock file at Users/Lauren/Library...etc".
I then went to Finder to look at my applications and they were ALL GONE! Then I went to a folder I have with all my files called "My files", and although the primary folders were visible, "SCHOOL,WORK, HOLIDAYS PICS, etc", these folders were empty. I then checked my User folder, and my systems folder and these were empty too. However, the Desktop and Documents folders still contain the documents that were previously there, and my background images remained the same.
I tried to open Word, and although it is also missing from the applications folder, and it opened, also allowing me to open a document which I know is located within the 'empty' folders. I have a feeling that my documents and files are still on my computer, but I don't know how to access them!
Please if someone could shed light on the situation! All my work files and personal files are on this computer and I would be devastated to loose them!
Let me know if you need any more ino or screen shots!
Kind regards,
Lauren

OS X- Gray progress bar appears under Apple logo during startup
You need to start by doing the following:
Reinstall Lion, Mountain Lion, or Mavericks without erasing drive
Boot to the Recovery HD:
Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
Repair
When the recovery menu appears select Disk Utility. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported then click on the Repair Permissions button. When the process is completed, then quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Lion, Mountain Lion, or Mavericks
OS X Mavericks- Reinstall OS X
OS X Mountain Lion- Reinstall OS X
OS X Lion- Reinstall Mac OS X
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet
if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.

Corrupt OS 9 systems folder?

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