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Classic Problems on 2001 iMac G3

I have been trying to install AOL on my iMac G3 to get on our Internet network at home. Since AOL stopped producing Mac versions after 4.0 (which in actual fact is 6.0), I have to use the 1999 version (4.0).

Anyway, I did a clean install of Mac OS Tiger, and in the process, the Classic environment was removed. I do not own the original copy of 9.1 (I do, however have System 7, 7.5, 8 & 10.4 in their original boxes, and with the original discs/floppies), and as a result, I relied on a duplicate copy I made of 9.1 from a borrowed authentic disc.

AOL 4.0 requires Classic to load. Here is the result I am getting:

DSC03267.JPG

I have already tried to drag the System folder from the disc to the Classic folder on the "Libraries" section. No luck. In addition, I have also tried holding down the "C" key when restarting the iMac. The disc does not boot.

Any suggestions? (btw, I cannot install OS 9 from the desktop, as Tiger attempts to open the Classic Environment. I do not have the software reinstall discs for this iMac, and the ones for my iBook G4 do not work, as the computer states that these are the incorrect software discs).

 
Well, first thing is that you didn't place the System Folder in the right place. It doesn't go in any "special" folder, it just goes in the Hard Disk, (root directory.)

If you can't boot from the disc, the copy probably wasn't done properly. You could try to make a disk image of it and try to "re-bless" the System Folder and re-burn it.

Btw, did you make sure to install Mac OS 9 drivers to the HD when you did a clean install? (That is, if you reformatted the drive as well.)

 
To get a cut down classic environment off a restore disk you need to use Terminal to poke around in the invisible directories of it.

I cannot remember anymore what dir it is in but the file is called OS9General.dmg.

*Edit

I found my old screenshot, remember that this was a 10.3.0 emac disc, yours may be different.

os9generalqc0.png


 
The OS9General.dmg is usually in the .images folder on the first restore CD. You can skip the terminal and use the Finder's "Go to folder" option. Just enter "/Volumes/The CD Label/.images" and you'll find it.

 
Btw, did you make sure to install Mac OS 9 drivers to the HD when you did a clean install? (That is, if you reformatted the drive as well.)
In all honesty, Classic Environment was not working before I performed a clean install (and yes, that is exactly what I did). Every time it tried opening, it said that the Quicktime version installed on the hard drive was not compatible with it. In addition, it would give me a script error of some sort (I probably should have taken a screen shot of it before I cleared the drive).

If you can't boot from the disc, the copy probably wasn't done properly. You could try to make a disk image of it and try to "re-bless" the System Folder and re-burn it.
I tried installing OS 9 from this disc on my 5215CD, and I received an error causing it to end the installation process. So it would appear that the disc does not work (although I do have the original folder copies I made on my MBP). Re-bless? I have never heard of that term before.

 
By "re-bless" I meant to make sure the System Folder for the CD was "blessed," that lets the Mac know which System to boot, for example if you have multiple OSes installed at the same time.

 
By "re-bless" I meant to make sure the System Folder for the CD was "blessed," that lets the Mac know which System to boot, for example if you have multiple OSes installed at the same time.
I think I know what you are referring to. So if I go to System Preferences, under Startup disk, and configure the OS 9 CD as a boot disc, that should get it to work.

Currently, I only have the one OS installed, which is Tiger 10.4.

 
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