Reinstalling Mac OS on an SE

[Apostrophe]

Before I begin I'd like to apologize beforehand for my complete ignorance in this matter. I know how to reinstall OSes for my other Macs, but ever since I got the SE I realized that it works quite a bit differently.

Now that I got my 20 800k floppy disks, I decided that I'd go ahead and reinstall the SE's operating system. It can't hurt, and I've already freed lots of disk space and created a bunch of backups in case something goes wrong.

Okay, so I have 800k floppy disks, and I have a Centris 610 to write the floppy disks. Also, both the SE and the Centris have STUFFIT. Any other software I need?

On the PC that I'm on right now I've downloaded the 4 800k disk images of OS 6.0.8. I assume I must put them on a CD, which I then need to transfer to the Centris, where I use STUFFIT to make them into one file, then write it to the disk.

I've just written the 4 disk images to a CD-R. There are only 4 images, right? I always worry that I'm missing some and that something bad will happen...

Once I have the 800k floppy disks written, how do I install it onto the SE? I mean, I know that all you have to do is copy the contents to the hard drive, but is the process different for an operating system? It's not just holding C, is it?

So, in summary, I need an elementary course on installation of an OS to an SE. Anything that is left to assume probably won't be assumed. The SE is still new to me; I've only had it for about a month. So what do I need to do, starting from the disk images at Apple.com? I'm sorry again for my complete ignorance...I hope you all understand; after all, nobody was born knowing how to do this.

I'd greatly appreciate any help you can offer.

Thanks,

-Apostrophe

 

[redrouteone]

It has been a while. Lets see if I can remember the steps.

You will need stuff it and disk copy on your centris.

Copy the images onto your Centris and unstuff them.

Open disk copy.

Select open from the file menu.

Select your disk image.

Then on one of the menus is an open to write the image.

Those aren't the exact step but it is as close as I can recall and it should get you close enough to figure it out.

 

[porter]

I assume I must put them on a CD, which I then need to transfer to the Centris, where I use STUFFIT to make them into one file, then write it to the disk.

Okay, so you are putting them on a CD because they are too big for a floppy. The centris should understand ISO-9660.

Alternatively you could transfer them using the network (TCP/IP), or AppleTalk (on Windows 2000 server), or on the serial link with Kermit or similar.

There are only 4 images, right?

How many do you want?

Once I have the 800k floppy disks written, how do I install it onto the SE?

Normally you boot from the floppy and click on the installer. Turn system on and put floppy in while it's doing the memory check, if it ejects the floppy it doesn't like it.

However it you are replacing an existing system then drag the old System Folder on the harddisk to the trash.

 

[Apostrophe]

Hi,

Okay, so I think I'm clear on everything except the disk images. You asked 'how many do you want', but I'm not sure what you meant. Like, the download page said 6.0.8 800k disk 1 of 4, then 2 of 4, etc. all the way up to 4. I downloaded all 4 and wrote them to a CD-R. So does that mean that with those four segments, I have 6.0.8 and all I need is to use STUFFIT and Disk Copy to put it onto an 800k floppy disk?

Here's the link to the download page I'm talking about. Look near the bottom, the four labeled 6.0.8 800k disks.

http://download.info.apple.com/Apple_Support_Area/Apple_Software_Updates/English-North_American/Macintosh/System/Older_System/System_6.0.x/

Thanks,

-Apostrophe

 

[porter]

Look near the bottom, the four labeled 6.0.8 800k disks.

Yes, and they are four separate 800k floppy disks. I don't see the problem. You boot from the first floppy, run the installer, it will ask for the other disks during the installation.

Also, why the CD-ROM, won't an 800k floppy disk image file fit on a 1.4Mb floppy to transfer from PC to Centris?

 

[Apostrophe]

Also, why the CD-ROM, won't an 800k floppy disk image file fit on a 1.4Mb floppy to transfer from PC to Centris?

I have no PC external floppy drive.

 

[Apostrophe]

Okay, so let me go over this one more time; correct me if I'm wrong:

1) Boot up the Centris.

2) Put the 4 disk files from Apple.com onto the Centris.

3) Use Stuffit to unstuff them.

4) Use Disk copy to mount them each onto their own floppy disk.

5) Boot up the SE.

6) The moment I turn the power on, insert Disk 1.

7) Complete the installation with all 4 disks.

Okay, just two things I'm unclear on. Number one, I'm not sure how to use Stuffit or Disk Copy. Is it one of those things where it can be easily figured out? And number two, is the 6.0.8 software on Apple.com the exact same as the original? That is, will the floppy disks I create be absolutely identical in software as the original system floppies?

Thanks, and sorry again for my complete ignorance.

-Apostrophe

 

[tomlee59]

Yes, the disk images from Apple will allow you to regenerate the same bits as on the original floppies.

Using Stuffit and Disk Copy is straightforward, and menu-driven. If there's a step that is unclear, just post back. Someone here will answer.

 

[Apostrophe]

I just now tried to put both Disk Copy and the disk images on the Centris. Neither worked. And when I opened Stuffit, and clicked Expand in the file menu, the disk images didn't show up. Maybe I used the wrong type of CD?...

I think I'll just go with the original system software disks. Does anyone have the original System 6.0.8 floppy disks that I might borrow? I'd be happy to pay shipping...

Thanks,

-Apostrophe

 

[Dennis Nedry]

StuffIt Expander will change files ending in ".SIT" or ".BIN" or ".HQX" or ".SEA.BIN" into files you can use on your Macintosh. ("SEA" by itself doesn't require StuffIt.)

DiskCopy will allow you to make disks from files ending in "IMG".

Once you are able to open DiskCopy and have some disk images ending in "IMG", fiddle around with the menus in DiskCopy and you'll figure it out in no time.

 

[porter]

I think I'll just go with the original system software disks.

If you have ethernet on your Centris and PC, then run BasiliskII on the PC and set up a Apple Share server. Then you don't have to bother with burning CDs.

 

[Bunsen]

I just now tried to put both Disk Copy and the disk images on the Centris. Neither worked. And when I opened Stuffit, and clicked Expand in the file menu, the disk images didn't show up. Maybe I used the wrong type of CD?...

Did the CD show up on the Centris desktop at all?

Can you open the CD from the desktop and see the files?

If you burnt a PC formatted CD, you will need some extensions in the System folder on the Centris to see the disk and its contents. I forget exactly what they are, but some of them will be CD extension and PC exchange, Mac OS Easy Open, ISO 9660 extension, Joliet extension.

What OS are you running on the Centris? Someone more familiar with it should be able to give you the full list. Otherwise go to macwindows.com and look for the appropriate guide article to reading a PC disk/CD on a Mac.

Even with those files, I think you need to make sure your PC burning software makes an ISO 9660 or Joliet disk.

Okay, so let me go over this one more time; correct me if I'm wrong:[1 -5 : all good]

6) The moment I turn the power on, insert Disk 1.

If there's no OS on the SE at all, any time after you power on is OK.

If there is an OS on the HD, put the floppy in while it's running, choose the floppy in startup disk, and shut down or restart.

Or yes, immediately after power on.