Using os9 on a laptop running OSX?

Question

Hi Guys,
I'm new to Macs so if I saay something stupid, just slap me.
I have a Clamshell 366 running OSX Panther but a prog I am trying to use (an external hard drive gizmo) requires OS 9.
When I tried to install the software, I got a message saying that there was no OS9 on my system.
So, does that mean I have to buy a copy of OS9 and install that on my clamshell.
If I do that, will I overwrite the OSX?
Is there another way?
Thanks,
Steve

Answer 1

Hi, Steve -
OSX and OS 9 are designed to cohabit the same volume - neither will overwrite the other.
OS 9 (versions OS 9.1 and later) can be used within OSX as Classic - in that mode OS 9 is used as a program (not as an operating system) in order to provide an environment in which many OS 9 programs can be run.
I assume by Clamshell 366 you mean an iBook 366MHz machine - that description can be either an original iBook, or an iBook (FireWire) model.
Your machine can use OS 9 as a stand-alone OS. If it is an original iBook (which came with OS 8.6), it can use any version of OS 9. If it is an iBook (FireWire) model (which came with OS 9.0.4), it can use a model-specific OS 9.0.4 Install CD or a retail OS 9.1 or 9.2.1 Install CD.
Retail OSX packages do not include any provisions to install Classic (OS 9). You will need to acquire an OS 9 Install CD of adequate version, boot to it and install OS 9, then update it as needed via download updaters. I suggest acquiring a retail OS 9.1 or 9.2.1 Install CD - not only will that save on time when installing download updaters, but those CDs have current versions of OS 9's Disk First Aid and Drive Setup utilities. Provided that the device you wish to attach is compatible with OS 9.2.x, I'd suggest an OS 9.2.1 Install CD as the best choice.
You can usually get retail OS 9 Install CD's at sites like these -
http://store.yahoo.com/hardcoremac/index.html - Apple Reseller
http://www.applerescue.com/
EBay is another possibility.
Regardless of the source, be sure to get a retail OS 9 Install CD - those are white, with a large gold 9 on them; the retail OS 9 Install CD's have a universal installer; model-specific Install CD's do not.
In case you need the updaters -
Article #75103 - Mac OS 9.1 - Download and Info
Article #120030 - Mac OS 9.2.1 - Download and Info
Article #75186 - Mac OS 9.2.2 - Download and Info
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There can be some issues when installing OS 9 on a drive already occupied by OSX.
• The OS 9 installer may return a message to the effect that there is an unknown version of OS 9 already present. That message results from the installer mistaking a stadard OSX folder as being a peculiar OS 9 System Folder - it is not, but the OS 9 installer is not savvy enough to know that. The solution is to do a Clean Install of OS 9. Note that a Clean Install of OS 9 removes nothing -
Article #58176 - Mac OS 8, Mac OS 9: Performing a Clean Installation
• If the hard drive is not visible on the desktop when you boot the machine to the OS 9 Install CD, that would indicate that the hard drive was probably last formatted using OSX's Disk Utility, and the option to install OS 9 drivers was not selected. In the absence of those drivers no OS 9 can mount the drive. This Apple KBase article addresses that issue -
Article #106849 - Disk Is Available in Mac OS X But Not in Mac OS 9
That article mentions one possibility of recovery without re-formatting the drive - while booted to the OS 9 Install CD, run Drive Setup (it's in the Utilities folder on the CD), select the drive in the list, then choose Update Driver from the Functions menu. This is a non-destructive function, i.e. it will not erase the drive.
Most of the time that does not work, and the only recourse then is to re-initialize the drive; if that is done using OSX's Disk Utility, be sure the option to install OS 9 drivers is selected. Note - doing this will erase everything on the drive, so be sure you have backed up everythig you do not want to lose before doing it.
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There are work-arounds if you do not need a bootable OS 9 install, that is if you need it only for use as Classic.
Unlike OSX, an OS 9 System Folder can be copied via a simple Finder copy process and retain its functionality. This means you may be able to copy an OS 9 System Folder (of adequate version) from another source, and use it as Classic.
Some folk have found that copying the OS 9 System Folder from an OS 9 Install CD is sufficient. Note, though, that that System Folder has a very limited assortment of control panels and extensions, and many services will not be available.
Another possible source is an OS 9 Syatem Folder on another machine. Provided that it was a complete install of OS 9, better results are usually obtained.
Note - since a copied System Folder from a CD will not be bootable, nor will one from another machine (unless it was specifically created as a universal install), then download updates for OS 9 will not be usable to up the version of that copied System Folder (the installers on all OS 9 download updates require the machine be booted to OS 9).