> If you wanted to change from OS 9 to OS 8.6, is installation the >same as it would be if you updated from 8.6 to 9? Or do you have to >completely reinitialize the HD for it to accept an older OS?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but unless you have a full-install CD of OS 8.6, you won't be able to install it. 8.6 won't "update" OS 9 since OS 9 is later than 8.6. However, you _can_ install OS 8.6 on a hard drive that already has OS 9 with no problems and minimal difficulty. No reinitialization is needed (hardly ever needed on Mac OS). This is what you need: Mac OS 8.5 Full Install CD (such as an OEM* CD-ROM or Retail 8.5 CD) Mac OS 8.6 Updater (Free download from Apple.com) -or- Mac OS 8.6 Full Install CD (OEM* or Retail) If you have the 8.5 disk, run the 8.5 installer. Select "Clean Install" from the options. Install OS 8.5. Run the 8.6 updater to update the 8.5 installation to 8.6. If you have the 8.6 disk, install 8.6 using the clean installation option. Clean install allows you to "downgrade" your operating system without deleting your existing OS 9 installation. It also means that your "clean installation" doesn't have ANY 3rd party files (extensions, control panels, control strip items, contextual menu items, preferences, etc) in your new system folder. Consequently, all of your program settings will need to be re-set. Your OS 9 system folder will now be renamed to "Previous System Folder." Some cautions: You can only have 1 active system folder on a partition. After the clean install, OS 8.6 will be the active system. To run OS 9, you will have to deactivate OS 8.6. Open the 8.6 system folder and move the "Finder" into the "Preferences" folder. To make OS 9 active, go to the OS 9 system folder and move the "Finder" out of the preferences folder and back into the System Folder. The next time your computer starts, it will run OS 9. To go to 8.6, do this in reverse (OS 9 Finder into the OS 9 Preferences folder, OS 8.6 Finder into the OS 8.6 System Folder). This process is called "blessing" or "de-blessing" the hard drive. There is no elegant solution to "dual booting" the classic Mac OS. The System Picker program tries to make this easier (by automating the procedure for you), but it's success is subjective. The ideal solution would be to have 2 partitions on your hard drive. One would have OS 8.6 installed, the other 9.x. To switch between them, just change your "startup disk" in the Startup Disk control panel. Peace, Drew * Some OEM CD-ROMs are machine-specific. For instance, some of the CDs that shipped with the iMac will ONLY install/boot an iMac. Some CDs that shipped with the PowerMac G3 will ONLY install/boot a G3. Etc. -- Author of ClassicStumbler email: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> web: <http://homepage.mac.com/alk/> Want to know if your neighbor has Wi-Fi? Find out with ClassicStumbler! <http://homepage.mac.com/alk/classicstumbler/> -- PowerBooks is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Enter To Win A | -- Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras start at $299 | Free iBook! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> PowerBooks list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/powerbooks.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/powerbooks%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
