Is anyone running OS 9 and OS X on a Mac?

[moribundman]

Did you have to partition the hard drive? I've had both OS installed before, but I couldn't switch between them. I have to keep OS 9, because some of my programs are too old to work with OS X, but I don't want to have to buy for example Illustrator again.

 

[tweeker43]

i'm only running os9, but i stayed at a holiday inn express last night.

when you install osx, be sure that you install the "classic" environment. on the latest version of osx you will get an "9" icon or such in the upper right hand corner of the task bar.

you could also install it on another partition, but i think running "classic" is ok for most people.

apple support for classic environment

 

[nortones2]

You could also try the guys on here:http://discussions.info.apple.com/[email protected]@.eed6a76

Can't help directly as I use OSX only!

 

[Titanium_Alloy]

You don't have to switch between them. If you install OS 9, on top (i.e. after) OS X you don't have to do anything else. OS X automatically recognizes applications which run under 9 and starts it at the time needed. It sort of works like virtual machine, if if you what this is. I suggest getting more memory if you like to run applications which work under OS X and OS 9 at the same time. Try to avoid using OS 9 applications. Most of applications right now are ported to OS X, though some have to use OS 9.

 

[moribundman]

Thanks for the feedback. I've had OSX together with OS 9 installed before, but it simply didn't work well or as promised. I'm pretty sure it had to do with my lack of computer skills, but those aren't any better now. I'm not even sure if the OS 9, the "classic environment," was actually my old OS 9 or just an OS 9 emulator that came with OSX.
I was thinking of partitioning the hard drive, one partition for my old OS 9 and one for OS X. I've tried finding out on computer forums before, but to no avail.

 

[tweeker43]

have you run software update lately? i know there was an update for "classic" not that long ago.

also, there was an general system update (to like 10.3.4).

"classic" is indeed an emulation of os9. it must be installed, but i was thinking it was a default installation option.

once installed, it can activate when necessary or it can be on constantly.

try this: classic 1

classic 2

let me know if there is anything i can do to help. you can pm me and i'll offer whatever support i can.

 

[Mystic]

I use the Mac also. I like the older operating systems and I like Mac OS 10 as well. I have an older eMac that I can reboot into Mac OS 9.2.2. I also have an older desktop that has two hard drives and I have Mac OS 10.3 on one hard drive and Mac OS 9.1 on the other.

I really like Mac OS 10 but the one thing I don't like is that it seems like there are still a lot of scanners and photo printers that are not compatible. And every time you upgrade to a new operating system it seems like it takes a long time for the third party scanner and printer makers to catch up. I really prefer to scan and print photos in Mac OS 9.1 or 9.2.2.

Apple is making only one computer that still can boot into Mac OS 9.2.2 and not just use Classic in Mac OS 10. The rumor is that those computers are on the way out. Once that computer is gone (the desktop G4) no new Apple computers will be able to boot into Mac OS 9.2.2 (although you can still run Classic of course).

I would not mind having a G5 but I think I may replace my current computers with one of those desktop G4s that can still boot into 9.2.2. I know for sure that scanners and printers will work in that operating system.

 

[moribundman]

Mystic, I have an iMac that runs currently on OS 9.2.2. I had OS X installed once, but almost none of my software (I have to use Illustrator!) worked anymore. The "classic environment" did not work with programs I need. I also could not find drivers (they might have them now) for my printer and scanner.

Now, do you know if I can partition my hard drive and install OS X into one and OS9 into the other partition, or how do I get two operating systems to work? My iMac has a 13 GB hard drive.

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

If you boot up with the OS 9.2.2 disc, then partition the hard drive as one large Mac HFS Extended partition. Install OS 9.2.2 as you normally would. Then install your "classic" apps.

Then, Take your OSX install CD's (10.3 preferred), and install right on the same partition. Unlike Intel PC's and Windows, having two different OS's on the same partition won't be catastrophic. In fact, it's easier! Once OSX is intalled, go to OSX's System panel and choose the startup disc that you want...there will be two choices---OS 9.2.2 native environment or OSX. Likewise, from OS 9, Control Panels > Startup Disc, then choose OSX.

As a result, you can run your old classic version of Illustrator in OSX.

This all works well. I have used this setup on a laptop for over a year. It's convienient to use both systems when you want, all on the same system with a single hard disc.

Good luck!

 

[moribundman]

quote:

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If you boot up with the OS 9.2.2 disc, then partition the hard drive as one large Mac HFS Extended partition. Install OS 9.2.2 as you normally would. Then install your "classic" apps.

Then, Take your OSX install CD's (10.3 preferred), and install right on the same partition.

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I'm confused. Why do I partition the hard drive, if I then installl everything into the same partition? Sorry if I'm dense!

 

[Not the Autorx Frank]

FYI There is a 3rd party program w/ drivers for just about every scanner known to man.....


http://www.hamrick.com/

 

[moribundman]

That's a very useful link, Frank. Thanks!

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

moribundman,,
I was assuming you're starting from scratch. If you already have only OS 9.2.2 installed you don't have to partition anything, just boot up OSX and install it to the same volume/Hard disk that OS 9 is on.

 

[moribundman]

quote:

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moribundman,,
I was assuming you're starting from scratch. If you already have only OS 9.2.2 installed you don't have to partition anything, just boot up OSX and install it to the same volume/Hard disk that OS 9 is on.

[Cheers!]

---

I didn't know that was possible!

I figured I had to put each OS in a partition, or soemthing would go terribly wrong. Well, I'm sure I'll screw up. If nobody sees me post here for awhile, then you know what happened. Wish me luck.

 

[Mystic]

It is possible to partition the hard drive, but you really do not need to do so if you have a Mac that will boot into Mac OS 9.2.2. You can have Mac OS 10.3 installed over the old operating system (you need to have the old operating system installed). You just go to System Preferences and boot into whichever operating system you want (10.3 or 9.2.2 or boot from a CD for that matter). But the newer Macs only have 10.3 and will NOT boot into 9.2.2 (you can still use Classic).

I have found that various photo printers that I have owned just seem to work better in 9.2.2. And scanners also seem to work better. Although I like the newer operating system sometimes I wish that Apple had stayed with the older operating system and just incorporated true multi-tasking and some sort of protected memory.

Also, when you start up (using a Mac that still can boot into 9.2.2) if you hold the option key down you will be presented with a screen that gives you a choice what operating system you want to boot into.

Personally, I blame the third party printer and scanner manufacturers instead of Apple Computer for all of the problems. The only thing they think about is that Apple is only about 5% of the market. They forget all of the computer graphic design people, newspaper companies, magazine publications, etc., where the Mac is critical. Try to do some really serious graphic design work on a Windows computer. I tried to work on photos using a Windows computer and felt like jumping out of a building.

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

One of the cool features of the Mac platform is the graceful way it handles certain functions so gracefully (compared to the same functions on the Intel platform) that it just can't be possible! Running 2 different OS's on the same partition is a case in point. It just works.

 

[moribundman]

quote:

---

It is possible to partition the hard drive, but you really do not need to do so if you have a Mac that will boot into Mac OS 9.2.2. You can have Mac OS 10.3 installed over the old operating system (you need to have the old operating system installed). You just go to System Preferences and boot into whichever operating system you want (10.3 or 9.2.2 or boot from a CD for that matter). But the newer Macs only have 10.3 and will NOT boot into 9.2.2 (you can still use Classic).

I have found that various photo printers that I have owned just seem to work better in 9.2.2. And scanners also seem to work better. Although I like the newer operating system sometimes I wish that Apple had stayed with the older operating system and just incorporated true multi-tasking and some sort of protected memory.

Also, when you start up (using a Mac that still can boot into 9.2.2) if you hold the option key down you will be presented with a screen that gives you a choice what operating system you want to boot into.

Personally, I blame the third party printer and scanner manufacturers instead of Apple Computer for all of the problems. The only thing they think about is that Apple is only about 5% of the market. They forget all of the computer graphic design people, newspaper companies, magazine publications, etc., where the Mac is critical. Try to do some really serious graphic design work on a Windows computer. I tried to work on photos using a Windows computer and felt like jumping out of a building.

---

Mystic, as far as I know, partitioning the hard drive is usually done to improve efficiency, and it probably wouldn't hurt to have each OS in its own partition.

As for OS 10.3, I don't have that. I have OS 10.1, and I will need to update that to something higher. Classic doesn't work with too many of my programs.

I've been doing photo stuff for over ten years on a Mac. For the past few years I haven't noticed any differences in ease of use between Mac and PC when using Photoshop or Illustrator. I prefer the Mac, but that's mostly because I'm used to it and because I have an aversion towards Microsoft (whadda name!) and their junk.

Wish me luck guys, I'll get around to messing up my Mac within the next few days.

 

[moribundman]

Alright, so I partitioned my Mac's hard drive and installed OS9.2 in one and OSX into the other partition.

I installed Firefox as browser (I used Mozilla for years) and Thunderbird for mail in OSX, but T-bird keeps crashing all the time. Each time I launch T-bird, it downloads the same old message and crashes after half a second. I can read mail only if I go offline. Any idea why it's buggy? Maybe I should download T-bird again install it again?

I can't import my old mail from Mozilla, and that is a real nightmare. I was lucky I could import my bookmarks. I had to transfer my old Mozilla bookmarks to Internet Explorer (Which I never use!), then I could transfer them to Firefox. I find it odd that Firefox can't directly import from Mozilla! Am I missing something?

For some reason Classic will launch in OSX for no good reason, for example when I click a linked URL in AIM.

If anyone has any tips,ideas, or suggestions, most importantly regarding T-bird, I'd really appreciate it.

 

[Not the Autorx Frank]

why are you using os9 at all? osX is so much nicer......

 

[moribundman]

Frank, I have lots of old software (including a Japanese language kit, expensive graphics software) and hardware (printers/scanners -- might find drivers, but color balance is a PITA to match with a new setup) that doesn't work with OSX. And the wife, who is more competent with computers, simply doesn't like OSX. Hence parting he hard drive and running both operating systems. I want OSX basically only for online stuff. For my graphics applications I prefer OS9.

I've signed up with a support forum, because now Thunderbird keeps crashing. If only I were into computers...