Downgrading System 7

[OmniKnight]

Noob topic: I recently acquired a Color Classic that came to me with 7.6.1 preinstalled. Obviously, the little CC doesn't have enough punch to fight that battle.

I'm wondering what the best low-cost method will be for me to downgrade. I'd really like to get 7.1.3 running, but the only 7.1 download I can find on the internet is French. 7.0.x lacks a lot of features that I'd use.

I have a full install 7.6 CD. Would it be possible for me to downgrade to 7.0.x and install components from the 7.6 CD (i.e. Quicktime, etc.)? Or do I really need to try and acquire a copy of 7.1? Do you guys have a recommendation (other than LEM's low price listing) of getting ahold of it?

As if this post weren't long enough and loaded with enough questions, could someone give a quick high-level logical step by step? Will I need to download and install the applicable enabler (401)? Or will it be as simple as inserting the 7.0/7.1 disks and rolling from there?

Thanks a bunch for your advice, and I look forward to developing into a contributing member here.

 

[beachycove]

I think that you will need 7.1 minimum for the CC.

 

[II2II]

I'm not even sure that 7.0 will work on a Colour Classic. But as a general rule of thumb, the way to make a system specific disk if you are using a generic boot disk (or a boot disk for another system) is to add a system enabler to the system folder of the boot disk. Of course you may have to remove some other files first just to squeeze it on.

Yes, you can add the stuff that you want from later versions of the system software. I typically went the route that you suggested in order to create a lean 7.1 system with just the upgrades for it to run the software I wanted to run.

 

[Scott Baret]

The Color Classic needs an enabler (I think it's 401) to function, meaning it needs 7.1 as a minimum. Apple does not make this one available to download and your only way of acquiring it is to purchase it.

www.noappleistoooldforus.com (B&R Computer) might have it for sale. They stock old software and sell it at pretty reasonable prices.

 

[Dog Cow]

http://download.info.apple.com/Apple_Support_Area/Apple_Software_Updates/English-North_American/Macintosh/System/Older_System/System_Enablers/System_Enabler_401_1.0.5.sea.bin

That's it, right from Apple.

 

[OmniKnight]

But as a general rule of thumb, the way to make a system specific disk if you are using a generic boot disk (or a boot disk for another system) is to add a system enabler to the system folder of the boot disk. Of course you may have to remove some other files first just to squeeze it on.

Is it really that simple? 8-o

I've got a system disk for my LCIII. So I could theoretically create a copy of that disk, replace the system enabler w/ 401 --> VICTORY?

Thanks for all the tips from everyone. The linked site has a lot of great stuff, and I've bookmarked it. Unfortunately they want $59 for 7.1, which is perfectly reasonable from a collector's perspective... but is too high for my purpose (heck, it's more than I paid for the CC itself).

 

[beachycove]

I've got a system disk for my LCIII. So I could theoretically create a copy of that disk, replace the system enabler w/ 401 --> VICTORY?

Huzzah!

 

[macgeek417]

I have some 7.1 Pro disk images laying around somewhere...

 

[Bunsen]

http://home.earthlink.net/~gamba2/index.html

 

[equill]

One of my CCs runs 7.6.1 quite comfortably on its (max.) 10MB of RAM (and max. VRAM). Almost sprightly, even, but far from blistering. I have to sympathize, however, with the notion of a lesser System, but no less RAM/VRAM. Macgeek417 has suggested the ideal solution: a custom construction of System 7.1.3, based on 7.1 Pro (7.1.1), with judiciously selected nuggets retrofilched from 7.5+. Finder 7.1.3 is the key to triumph. Don't be downcast if Finder 7.1.3 isn't in the Thread Manager folder as the pickle was seeing it, but it is present in the Drag & Drop folder.

de

 

[Charlieman]

Finder 7.1.3 is the key to triumph. Don't be downcast if Finder 7.1.3 isn't in the Thread Manager folder as the pickle was seeing it, but it is present in the Drag & Drop folder.

There are some useful Finder versions (ie post System 7.1) in the LaserWriter distributions as well.