I recently purchased a SE iMac, which, as you know, came preloaded with OS 9. I also have a beige 266/G3, running OS 8.6. Is it possible to install OS 9 on the 266 machine from the iMac system CD? Are there iMac specific version of the OS distributed with the computer that are incompatible with my G3?

Would you recommend running 9 on the G3?

Many thanks. . .

I am not sure whether the Mac OS 9 installer on the CD-ROM that came with the iMac is different from the installer of a retail Mac OS 9 CD-ROM but I think they are probably the same. If it is so then you should be able to install Mac OS 9 on the beige G3.

The question of whether to use Mac OS 9 on the beige G3, I think definitely yes if the computer has 48MB of memory or more. There are some new features with Mac OS 9 you may like to try.

Actually, I read somewhere on Macfixit that they are different--some guy was trying to use the OS 9 CD from his G4 or his iMac on his 6400, or something like that, and it wouldn't let him.

I don't think you'll screw anything up if you TRY, I think the install will give you an error message if it's not possible.

Try looking on the Macfixit forums for the thread, I wish I could remember the exact title. Something like "OS 9 won't install" or something like that.

peace,
Linda

[naderby]

I very much doubt this will work. A silly friend of mine tried to install her MacOS8.5 software on to an old 8200/120. The software is geared toward iMac and its USB etc. plus to has its 'software restore'. My friend was reduced to not being able use a mouse or keyboard!! (No USB) :-))

That is such an inconvenience created by Apple there. When I bought my Power Mac, the Mac OS 8 CD that came with it included universal software installers so I could install Mac OS 8 on any Mac that support it.

I think Apple has changed that.