>> You can run 9.X on a non-G3 machine. The 9.2.1 won't install without OS9.0 >> (or 9.1?) previously installed on the HD. Also, 9.2.1 wasn't desinged to >> run on an older 9600, so you can't even boot up from the 9.2 CD; to get 9.2 >> installed on an older PCI Mac, use "OS9 helper" (find it with a Google >> serach). >> >> You'll need to aquire an OS9 install disk to use the 9.2.1 upgrade installer >> (with OS9 helper). I know, I found out, just like you, after I bought a >> 9.2.1 disk and it woulnd't install! >> >> I did get and install 9.0, and then used OS9 Helper to sucessfully install >> 9.2.1 on my 9500 a few months ago... > > This is close to correct but not totally. You will need to acquire > an OS 9.0.x or 9.1 install CD to install OS 9 on your machine. You > should then update to OS 9.1 as it is the most stable version. If > you need to update to 9.2.x, you will need to use OS 9 helper > <http://www.os9forever.com/> and the OS 9.2 download updates from > Apple.
I was happily running 8.6 for years, and would have stayed there, except that the newer, and feature-rich software that I've bought lately, required something higher, OS9 or X. The final straw was when I bought the Sonnet G4/700 upgrade processor, and found (in a bad way) that both of the video cards I had been happily using (an old Radius, and an IXMicro HiRez card) were not compatible and would not work with the G4 installed (I had been using an XLR8 G3 before). Since the 9500 has no built-in video, I was suddenly screwed. The G3 goes back in, temporarly. Sonnet's web site recommended the ATI 7000 video card, so I spent *another* $119 for that card (after the $300 for the Sonnet card), since it could drive both of my monitors (a 19" Evnision & a 21" Nokia). After receiving the ATI card, I was surprised to find that for many of it's features to work, it required OS 9.2.1 Great. >From Ebay, I bought a 9.2.1 (and Jag) retail install disks, THEN found that: a) 9.2 would not install (nor boot) on my machine (but did later install with 'OS9 Helper') b) Now I needed to get a 9.0 or 9.1 install CD, and install it before 'OS9 Helper' could help me. LSS: I installed 9.1, then 9.2.1 using 'OS9 Helper', just so I could get full functionally of the new ATI 7000. No doubt, I paid the price for not doing my homework (web searches) before buying the Sonnet G4. After all of the above, I had frequent crashes, freezes, and general erratic behavior making my once-trustworthy 9500 totally unreliable for months! Finally, I had to pull almost half of the 900+ megs of memory I had been using happily with the G3, having finally found that the G4 is also much more picky about what memory it will work with. Even short-duration memory tests using Newer Technology's 'Gauge Pro' showed lots of errors under the G4. Now, I'm down to 640 megs of memory, not quite enough to run the several (memory-hungry) apps that I like to run at the same time. The 9500 is now feeling much better (as am I), and I'm still glad that I did the upgrade, but I wish I'd known what I was getting myself into. Had I known in advance, I probably would have opted for a B&W machine (I need the ADB for software dongle keys). Because of all the unexpected money and work I've had to put into the 9500, I plan to keep it working for perhaps another year beyond what I had orginally planned. Granted, my demands are pretty high for this old PCI Mac, most people wouldn't feel the pressure for the upgrades that I moved to. If anyone doesn't need the G4 (I needed Altivec), or 9.2 or X on their PCI, then I'd recommend staying with 8.6 (some people feel confident with 9.1). Hope this detailed history saves someone else some time and/or frustation... -- PCI-PowerMacs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Sonnet & PowerLogix Upgrades - start at $169 | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> PCI-PowerMacs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/pci-powermacs.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive:<http://www.mail-archive.com/pci-powermacs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
