Problems installing OS 7.6

[JRL]

So I'm trying to install OS 7.6 on a Power Macintosh 5500/250 with a 54/55/6500 series system software CD, and I can never get an install to work because I get errors saying that various files can't be copied midway through the installation, which halts the installation completely.

What could I possibly do? This is with a fresh system install on a blank drive, by the way.

 

[porter]

Confirm that the CDROM can actually be read, try and read it all on another machine, try and make an ISO image on another machine. Once you have made an ISO image, burn another copy and see if your machine will read that one. Also, suspect the CDROM drive on the target machine.

 

[Gil]

Make sure the disc is not scratched or dirty.

 

[JRL]

I will try everything suggested. Thanks!

 

[Charlieman]

Good suggestions, so far. Also try reformatting the hard disk -- ideally a low level or long format. Then copy the installation files from the CD to the hard disk, and run them from there.

 

[MacJunky]

Good suggestions, so far. Also try reformatting the hard disk -- ideally a low level or long format. Then copy the installation files from the CD to the hard disk, and run them from there.

Didn't Apple axe support for that in 7.6? I seem to recall it never working with files from my 7.6.1 CD :/ Still worth a try I guess. *shrug*

 

[JRL]

Tried making two copies; both gave out the same errors halfway during installation.

I will try installing from my external SCSI CD-R soon and copying the contents of the CD to the HD.

 

[Scott Baret]

If all else fails you can buy another System 7.6 CD. You can usually find these on eBay.

I'd definitely recommend using another CD-ROM drive as you have planned on doing. I remember the drives in the 5xxx series having a high failure rate.

 

[JRL]

AFAIK, the 5500 series needs a OEM branded disk to install System 7.6...

I will get to trying the SCSI CD-ROM drive that I have though.

 

[Gil]

AFAIK, the 5500 series needs a OEM branded disk to install System 7.6...

Otherwise only 7.6.1 will work.

 

[JRL]

EDIT: I bought a OS 8.1 disk from mac2geezer that I was able to try today. It installed fine, but it seems like it's hanging up on "Closing files".

Is it safe for me to force quit/restart?

 

[porter]

Is it safe for me to force quit/restart?

Short answer: No

Long answer: No, but you may have to.

 

[alk]

AFAIK, the 5500 series needs a OEM branded disk to install System 7.6...

Otherwise only 7.6.1 will work.

I don't think any [56]500 shipped with 7.6, so finding an OEM disk will be a chore. I do recall hearing about a system enabler (was it 411?) that would allow 7.6 to run on such a machine, but I wonder why you would bother when 7.6.1 is easier to find and is more stable...

Peace,

Drew

 

[JRL]

Actually, I made a typo with that. My OEM disk is 7.6.1.

 

[JRL]

So after thinking about it, I think that what I've experienced (except the HD issues) is the same as this:

http://68kmla.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=2400&start=0

It's surely possible, right?