Starting from 9.2.2 on recent machines

Question

Hi everybody,
For bad or good reasons and mainly because our very specific 'house-made' repair-tracking system still runs on OS9, we are actually investigating the most recent machines that will start in 9.2.2 (not Classic, real OS9 startup).
In particular, concerning the MDD G4 and flat panel iMacs, we now know that specific 9.2.2 CDs are needed. No universal 9.2.2 Z (International English) can be found, that will start up with all '9.2.2 capable' machines. It was so with earlier versions of the system but this is not anymore true. These specific CDs are included in the soft delivered with the machines.
Unfortunately, due to language reasons in our small country, Belgium, the machines are supplied with the Dutch/Flemish and French versions of the CDs but not with an universal English (Z) version. And, also for language reasons, we prefer to install it in English so that all our coworkers (Fr/NL) can work on all machines.
Of course, installing a universal 9 or 9.1, then update to 9.2.1 and to 9.2.2 wil not work with a recent machine.
So the main questions :
- Does anybody know a way to obtain these 9.2.2 Z specific CDs.
- Does anybody know which of these files are machine specific (MacOS ROM, System Resources, System ...) and what versions are needed for what machine ?
in particular:
- Mac (17-inch Flat Panel) - iMac 800mhz/17/256MB/80GB/SuperDr/DSH2
- Power Mac G4 (Mirrored Drive Door 2003) PMG4 1.25GHZ/256/80/COMBO/R9000PRO
And a bit further :
We also know that some of the 'not officially os9 capable' machines will nevertheless run on OS 9 with specific files (MacOS ROM and the famous 'Custer' a.o.) and depending on hardware configurations (SuperDrive or not ...)
- Does anybody know were i can find reliable info on OS9 startup on 'forbidden' machines ?
Thanking you in advance for help
PowerBook G4   Mac OS X (10.4.8)  

Answer 1

HI, Olivier. Duplicates of some model-specific OS 9.2.2 installer discs can still be obtained directly from Apple Customer Service, by telephone only, for a fee. Whether one can readily obtain these in English-language versions outside the USA, I don't know. If you have a reliable contact in the USA who could call Apple and ask for the discs you need, that might be the most expeditious way to find out whether they're available. If you do so, be sure to supply your contact with the serial numbers of the Macs in question; that will (or at least it should) help to assure that you get the right discs for it.
If only the two Mac models you've mentioned are at issue, it's probably reasonable to expect to find the discs you need eventually, either through Apple or some other source (US sources undoubtedly offer the best chances of success for English-language discs). If you will need to find model-specific OS 9 installer discs for a large and/or constantly changing array of older and newer Mac models, you would be foolish to persist in running your tracking system on OS 9-based software. Those discs are getting harder and harder to find as time passes, and many of the people who offer them for sale — particularly on Ebay — either don't really know what they're offering, or deliberately advertise them falsely.
In contacting Apple to ask for replacements, it would be a very good idea to find out, if possible, the Apple part number for any disc that Apple can't supply. I don't know whether Apple will give those out, but if you can get them they will be invaluable in searching for the disc from other sources. Every Apple disc bears a unique part number, and knowing exactly what number appears on any disc that's offered for sale could save you a lot of headaches.
I don't know exactly which files on a model-specific installer disc are model-specific. It sounds as though you may know more about that than I do. Nor have I ever heard of "Custer", and I can't advise you on running OS 9.2.2 on unsupported Macs.
Good luck in your search.