Having problems installing

Question

Hi,
I am new to Mac, a complete computer idiot and have just purchased a second hand powerbook g4. I have installed Tiger and I want to install Adobe Photoshop 4 and upgrades but I need classic and I can't install os 9. I have tried to read some previous topics but I can't make any sense of them. When I try to boot from the CD (by holding down "C") it say it can't start because of error 11. When I try to run photoshop it says that the system folder is read-only. I coped the system folder to the desktop and now it says that it only works on the original media. I'm very confused.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Eleanor.

Answer 1

Hi, eleanorjc -
Every Mac has a minimum OS to which it can boot, typically the OS version it originally shipped with.
According to Apple KBase Article #25114 - Mac OS 8, 9: Compatibility With Macs, that model can not use a retail (white label, gold 9) OS 9.2.1 Install CD. It can use only the model-specific version Software Install CD that came with it (which installs a model-specific version of OS 9.2.1). That article notes that it can use OS 9.2.2, which is correct; however, there has been no universal installer (retail disk) version of OS 9.2.2 released.
If the OS 9.2.1 Install CD that you have is a retail version, i.e. it has a white label, then it is not usable on that machine.
If it has a blue, gray, or blue-gray label and states your model's name above a subtitle of "Software Install" then it should be usable. If this is the case, and the Mac will not boot to it, check the CD carefully for smudges, dirt, or scratches - any of those can interfere with the machine being able to boot to it. It can also help to disconnect all externals before trying to boot to it, other than external power - all portables should be connected to external power when installing software.
As an alternate source for an OS 9 System Folder, one for use only as Classic and not for booting, you can copy a working OS 9.2.1 or OS 9.2.2 System Folder from another Mac.