 |
 |
Hack a Mac ROM for OS 8 on a G4
|
|
|
|
|
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 1999
Status:
Offline
|
|
Not directly hardware related, but it used to be. Now that the Open Firmware loads its settings from the MacOS ROM, is there any way to hack the ROM and disable the compatability check?
To tell you the truth, I'm quite sick of MacOS 9. I've had nothing but problems. I would really like to get good ol' MacOS 8.5.1 back on my Mac. Unfortunately the 500MHz G4 is restricted to MacOS 9 and above.
I was thinking of somehow editing the MacOS 8.5 ROM into bypassing the compatability check, thereby just continuing to boot.
I would apreciate any comments or suggestions. I know a similar task was accomplished with MacOS X and a UMAX clone (but it was Open Firmware direct since it wasn't a New World Mac.)
|
|
"…I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than
you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods,
you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen F. Roberts
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mac Elite
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Pasadena
Status:
Offline
|
|
You can get the Borg version of OS 8.6 to work if you didn't apply the 2.4 firmware update...Even if you did, Borg version of 8.6 will work to some extend...no clue 'bout FW hacks...
|
|
G4/450, T-bird 1.05GHz, iBook 500, iBook 233...4 different machines, 4 different OSes...(9, 2k, X.1, YDL2.2 respectively) PiA to maintain...
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 1999
Status:
Offline
|
|
|
|
|
"…I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than
you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods,
you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen F. Roberts
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grizzled Veteran
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Techno City (Detroit)
Status:
Offline
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://www.macnet2.com/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi" TARGET=_blank> 
MacNet v2 Forums</A>
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 1999
Status:
Offline
|
|
Yes, I have applied the 2.4 firmware patch. In any event, where can I download the "Borg" version of 8.6?
|
|
"…I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than
you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods,
you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen F. Roberts
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tim Senecal
|
|
You don't need the borg version anymore.
any version of 8.6 that shipped with a slotless imac will also work with the G4 boxen. apple doesn't appear to want anyone to know this.
Tim
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mac Elite
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Pasadena
Status:
Offline
|
|
Borg 8.6 is 8.6 with a ROM file that supports the iMacs or G4s. the ROM file actually differ in version with the iMac and G4s, for I own 2 iMacs and 1 G4...
As to where you get the Borg version...only the first G4s have them and Apple never officially released any "updates/patches"...and I'm not sure if those machines can be downgraded...
If you have more than 1 partitions, try a generic 8.6 install on the one that OS 9 isn't currently on, and I can email you the ROM file...that might work...
Forgot to mention...Officially, FW2.4 updated machines must use OS9. I say OS8.6 will work to some extend because I've gotten it to boot into 8.6 on a zip fixer-upper disk. But if you work with it on a daily basis and will have a lot of CP/extensions etc, I can't guarantee that it'll be very stable...
on another note, if you disable all the "bells and whistles" like multi-user on OS9, aside from 10 more megs of RAM it consumes with VM off, it behaves and functions pretty much like OS8.6
[This message has been edited by Evangellydonut (edited 08-18-2000).]
|
|
G4/450, T-bird 1.05GHz, iBook 500, iBook 233...4 different machines, 4 different OSes...(9, 2k, X.1, YDL2.2 respectively) PiA to maintain...
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 1999
Status:
Offline
|
|
If you could email it to me, I would greatly apreciate it.
olepigeon@yahooXXXXXX.com
Remove the Xs obviously before you send.
On another note, is there a way to do an "Unsupported" install for 8.6? Whenever I try to run the installer it says it "can't use this software" and it quits.
|
|
"…I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than
you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods,
you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen F. Roberts
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
mc00mc
|
|
Try to use Tome Viewer (available from Apple web site) to open the tomes (installer files) and install the components you want.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 
|
|
|
Forum Rules
|
|
|
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
|
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top
