Networking Color Classic to modern MacOS X

[Will Cheyney]

I have a Color Classic with an Ethernet card installed running System 7.5.5 and was wondering if it's possible to share files between it and my modern Mac running 10.14.6.

It's been so long that I've done any networking in System 7 that other than switching on File Sharing I'm at a loss where to start. Happy to use any means.

Thanks!

 

[mraroid]

I think it can be done.  I am running 7.6.2 and I am doing it.  Not sure about 7.5.5  I set up networking so long ago I would have to go in and check it out again to tell you how I have done it.  Network card in the CC,  to a modern Linksys router.  Modern mac connected to the same router.

mraroid

 

[davidg5678]

This is definitely possible! Do you already have the means to transport files from the internet to your Color Classic? If so, it is a matter of plugging an ethernet cable into your router, installing an FTP program such as NetPresenz on your Color Classic, and configuring a few network settings in a program called MacTCP. You would then be able to transfer files from your modern computers directly to your Color Classic over the network.

Netpresenz is a free file sharing program for your computer: http://www.stairways.com/main/netpresenz

I also recommend installing MacTCP 2.1, which is a patch for the MacTCP program. This software version makes configuring the network settings much easier. Here is a link to MacTCP 2.0.6 which is to be installed prior to updating to version 2.1. https://macgui.com/downloads/?file_id=12993&keywords=mactcp

Here is a link to the MacTCP 2.1 patch: http://www.mactcp.org.nz/mactcp.html

You might also want to take a look at this website which has lots of information on the topic of networking vintage Macs: http://www.applefool.com/se30/#ftp

I went through a similar process a few months ago when networking my Macintosh SE/30. Some of the information on that forum thread may be of use to you too. Luckily, I had a much much easier time networking my Color Classic than my SE/30!





Configuring the system network preferences can be a little tricky, but it is certainly not impossible. I am more than happy to further elaborate on this if anything I said does not make sense, or if you have any questions!

 

[Will Cheyney]

This is definitely possible! Do you already have the means to transport files from the internet to your Color Classic? If so, it is a matter of plugging an ethernet cable into your router, installing an FTP program such as NetPresenz on your Color Classic, and configuring a few network settings in a program called MacTCP. You would then be able to transfer files from your modern computers directly to your Color Classic over the network.

Netpresenz is a free file sharing program for your computer: http://www.stairways.com/main/netpresenz

I also recommend installing MacTCP 2.1, which is a patch for the MacTCP program. This software version makes configuring the network settings much easier. Here is a link to MacTCP 2.0.6 which is to be installed prior to updating to version 2.1. https://macgui.com/downloads/?file_id=12993&keywords=mactcp

Here is a link to the MacTCP 2.1 patch: http://www.mactcp.org.nz/mactcp.html

You might also want to take a look at this website which has lots of information on the topic of networking vintage Macs: http://www.applefool.com/se30/#ftp

I went through a similar process a few months ago when networking my Macintosh SE/30. Some of the information on that forum thread may be of use to you too. Luckily, I had a much much easier time networking my Color Classic than my SE/30!





Configuring the system network preferences can be a little tricky, but it is certainly not impossible. I am more than happy to further elaborate on this if anything I said does not make sense, or if you have any questions!

@davidg5678 Thank you! This sounds absolutely ideal. At the moment the the Color Classic isn't connected to anything, that's what I'm hoping your solutions helps me with

I've got the Fetch FTP app already on the machine and MacTCP came installed as part of 7.5.5. I'll go on your recommendation regarding the patch to 2.1 though.

Once that's installed are you able to help me configure it so I can connect it to the internet and allow FTP transfer to/from the CC?

 

[NJRoadfan]

If you are running System 7.5.5, its likely Open Transport is installed, making the MacTCP configuration moot. Open Transport's TCP/IP stack supports DHCP.

 

[Will Cheyney]

If you are running System 7.5.5, its likely Open Transport is installed, making the MacTCP configuration moot. Open Transport's TCP/IP stack supports DHCP.

@NJRoadfan Are you able to help me get it up and running in that case? I have no experience in doing such things!

 

[mraroid]

Do you have a network card installed in your color classic?

This is the card I use.  Note that it comes with the driver disk:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Computer-Macintosh-Color-Classic-PDS-Ethernet-Card-LC-Performa-New/383378669499?hash=item5943263fbb:g:azkAAOSwpz9eJHDm

Installing a network card is step one.

mraroid

 

[Byte Knight]

One you get your network set up, the ultimate was to share files between vintage and modern Macs is to set up netatalk via A2SERVER on Raspberry Pi or other computer.  

 

[Cory5412]

Another vote for A2Server or Netatalk in general. FTP works but it's not pleasant. With AFP, you can leave data directly on whatever server you're working with (depending on how fast the machine is, this may or may not be pleasant, but you can) and you don't need to worry about resource forks and dealing with binhexing/unbinhexing stuff. (though Apple's own built-in FTP servers in ASIP6 and 10.4 Server do binhexing automatically.)

Another option if you have VMware or something like a Mini G4 or early Intel mini hanging around is to install Mac OS X 10.4 or 10.4 server on it. 7.5.5 + the latest OpenTransport and AppleShare updates will talk to 10.4 and up through 10.15 (that I've tested) also will. 7.5.5/7.6.1 should be patched, 8.1+ can talk to OS X Server up to 10.4 with what's built in.

The bummer about 10.4 (compared to 10.2/10.3) is that it doesn't talk appleshare over appletalk so 7.1 or machines behind an ethertalk to localtalk bridge won't be able to talk to it. I'm probably gonna eat the cost of a mini G4 and build a personal/secondary side-vtools with ASIP6 on 9.2.2 for this purpose once regular vtools finishes migrating to OS X Server. (ASIP6 works on up to 10.6, I haven't tested 10.2 or 10.3 server so I don't know if there's a point at which modern OS X won't connect to those versions.)

Another-'nother option, although this is probably more complicated unless your'e already into this stuff specifically, is to use Windows NT4/2000Server/2003Server with Services for Macintosh enabled. 

 

[mraroid]

Cory5412 (and the other who have posted) knows what they are talking about.  Follow Cory's directions.

Yep, install open Transport.  I suspect I did not need to upgrade to 7.6.2, but it was helpful to me.

Do you have a router in your house?  Plug an ethernet cable into your network card and then into a open port on your router.  Boot the CC.  Once you are up and running, install the disk that comes with the network card.  Follow the promps in the network cards driver disk.

It is important that you have a ethernet cable plugged into your network card (and the other end into your router) before you install the ethernet software.

As I am running 7.6.2, your control panels may be slightly different than mine. But the below should get you going:

After you configure the network card software, reboot. 

Next, open your control panels:

Before you start, make sure your CC has the correct data and time set.  If not, you are going to have issues. After setting the correct date and time, reboot.  If the date and time is correct, then go to:

Open TCP/IP

Some of your setting may be different than mine. For many linksys routers, the following work:

Connect via:  ethernet

Configure:  manually

My IP addy: 192.168.1.254

Subnet mask:  255.255.255.0

Router addy:  192.168.1.1

Name Server:  0.0.0.0

Next, fine the control panel called :  Sharing Setup:

Name - enter your name.  First name only is OK

Password:  enter a password and write it down

Did you write it down someplace?

Macintosh name:  Name your CC

Reboot

Let us know how you are doing.

mraroid

 

[NJRoadfan]

If you go the A2SERVER route, just be aware that the version posted on the site is an old revision.

The latest one can be pulled here (read the instructions): https://github.com/RasppleII/a2server/tree/current-testing

I have been plugging away at getting netatalk 2.2.6 working on the current version of Debian complete with printing. File sharing and netbooting Apple IIs is working 100% with the above at the moment. Printing needs some patches if you want CUPS auto configuration of queues. Printing on pre-System 7 machines is untested, don't know if it works since I can't test it at the moment. Printing from the Apple IIgs LaserWriter is broken at the moment.

 

[Will Cheyney]

Cory5412 (and the other who have posted) knows what they are talking about.  Follow Cory's directions.

Yep, install open Transport.  I suspect I did not need to upgrade to 7.6.2, but it was helpful to me.

Do you have a router in your house?  Plug an ethernet cable into your network card and then into a open port on your router.  Boot the CC.  Once you are up and running, install the disk that comes with the network card.  Follow the promps in the network cards driver disk.

It is important that you have a ethernet cable plugged into your network card (and the other end into your router) before you install the ethernet software.

As I am running 7.6.2, your control panels may be slightly different than mine. But the below should get you going:

After you configure the network card software, reboot. 

Next, open your control panels:

Before you start, make sure your CC has the correct data and time set.  If not, you are going to have issues. After setting the correct date and time, reboot.  If the date and time is correct, then go to:

Open TCP/IP

Some of your setting may be different than mine. For many linksys routers, the following work:

Connect via:  ethernet

Configure:  manually

My IP addy: 192.168.1.254

Subnet mask:  255.255.255.0

Router addy:  192.168.1.1

Name Server:  0.0.0.0

Next, fine the control panel called :  Sharing Setup:

Name - enter your name.  First name only is OK

Password:  enter a password and write it down

Did you write it down someplace?

Macintosh name:  Name your CC

Reboot

Let us know how you are doing.

mraroid

@mraroid I’ve done all that now. Thank you! Not sure what to do next. How do I connect to the CC or verify its setup corrrctly?

 

[mraroid]

The software for your network card has a test in it's software that you can do.  I believe you need to unplug your ethernet cable before you do the test.  Have you tried that?  Did the test work OK?

Do you have a web browser in your CC? Like IE, or Netscape?  I do not know which versions work with your OS.  I am running Netscape 4.08 under 7.6.2.

mraroid

 

[mraroid]

Will...

Try going here to see if you can down load any tools (web browsers, etc) for your OS:

https://obsolete.macfixer.com/vintage-software/

This the home page that my CC boots to when I launch my web browser. The keeper of the above is also on this forum.

Great tools!

mraroid

 

[mraroid]

It looks like you can install Netscape 3.04 and IE 3.01.

Install both.  See if you can surf to the link I posted using your CC.

The URL I posted will work with older browsers like the the above.

jack

 

[Will Cheyney]

@mraroid Still no joy. The card I have installed is an Asante MacCon LC. I've installed the appropriate drivers and software for the card (EtherTalk).

 

[cheesestraws]

When you set up MacTCP, make sure you select Ethernet, not EtherTalk...

 

[Will Cheyney]

Should I be using a crossover Ethernet cable?

 

[mraroid]

I do not know the Asante MacCon LC card at all.  I suspect it has a small light on the back of the card.  It might turn green when it is happy and red when it is not. Or it may have a lamp that is usually off if the card is happy, and on if it is not happy.  The lamp will show you that the card can see your Mac and see the router.  Is the lamp showing that the network card is happy?   Many of us use the Farallon network card.  But I am sure other network cards work just as well.

Have you laptop'ed into your router to see what it's settings are?  What brand name is your router? Please post that, as it will be helpful.

The subnet mask (255.255.255.0) is correct for most folks and the 0.0.0.0 works for most folks for the correct settings for name server.  My IP addy and router addy work for most modern Linksys and Cisco routers.  But if you have a Netgear, or another vendor, then you need to go into your router (via a web browser) and look at your settings. 

Were you able to down load the web browsers and put them on your CC?  What kind of error message did you get if they failed?

Which version of Open Transport do you have installed?  Is it the most modern version that you can run under your OS?

Keep us updated.

mraroid