How do I install OS 9 with this 1.67 mHz G4 PB?

Question

I am currently using OS 10.4.10.
I'd like to wean myself from my old beige G3.
Thanks for your time.

Answer 1

Remember that you can't install OS 9, per se, as a bootable operating system. You will, however, be able to use OS 9 in Classic mode. By the same token, not all things from Mac OS 9 will function as they did in native mode.
I myself have a "lot" of Mac OS 9 applications that, believe it or not, are critical in my work. One of the reasons I don't want to move to Leopard, and prior to that, not made the jump to Intel-based Macs. I used to have a machine--PowerMac G3 All-in-One--that I had reserved for Mac OS 9 stuff, but finally retired it (just last year, I think) and found Classic to be sufficient.
But again, there are quirks, since essentially, Classic is like running Windoze in virtualization mode. In this case, running Mac OS 9 in virtual mode within the OS X environment. So things like printing from an OS 9 application can be a headache, some things will NOT work, like using iMovie from OS 9 in Classic mode, etc.
So I recommend, before retiring your old beige G3, to see if all the critical apps you use from OS 9, work in Classic mode once you get it up and running on your PowerBook G4. If it works fine, get rid of Mr. G3. If not, maybe keeping the old thing won't be so bad after all.
If you have your original install/restore discs with you, pull those out and pop them in. You'll also have to make sure all the drivers for OS 9 are updated for use with Classic. Usually your Mac will tell you that when you run Classic.
There is also a "Classic" preference pane in System Preferences that lets you adjust settings for such.
Here, also, are some tips from Apple that I compiled for you that you might find helpful:
1) [http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86775]
2) [http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106434]
3) [http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106754]
4) [http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106678]
5) [http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106294]
6) [http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106719]
7) [http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh1810.html]
8) [http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh743.html]
9) [http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh660.html]
10) [http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh1941.html]