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Memphis_Mac · Nov 10, 2003, 01:52 PM

Okay, so I'm a little late getting into the OS X game. But anyway...

I've got a 400mhz iMac, DVSE (Graphite). I'll be adding 512MB of RAM to the 128MB that's currently in there.

Now, the questions:

Switching back and forth between Classic and OS X:
I've got a lot of apps that I don't use much, but I might need them every once in a while.
How much of a pain is it to switch back and forth between OSX and Classic? I've heard that it's just like running another app - true?

Deleting iLife apps before OS X install:
Since my iMac still has its original 13GB hard drive, my space is a bit limited. I've got enough space for the install, but I'd like to free up more. Can I delete my OS 9 versions of iTunes and iMovie? OS X replace them with the new ones, right?

Filemaker:
I've got FM Pro 5.5. Will I be able to move that into OS X, or should I leave it in my Classic apps folder? I still use FileMaker a lot, and I want to make sure it will A) work in OS X or B) still be convenient to use if it's in Classic.

Backup/format/install:
Do I really need to back all my files up, format the drive, and install OS X clean?
Or can I just do it like an update?

chris v · Nov 10, 2003, 02:21 PM

1. Classic environment is pretty much like running another app inside of OS X. Once you've got CLassic configured and launched, you can switch back and forth between OS 9 apps and OS X apps at will.

2. A retail OS X disk should have iTunes and iMovie on it. If not, download from apple.com

3. Filemaker should run in Classic, and the OS X version (if you can afford to upgrade) runs well, too.

4. Backup, yes. Reformat, no, so long as you've got enough blank space. You never know what can go wrong during an install, and I'm not going to be responsible for not telling you to back up.

Cv

moonmonkey · Nov 11, 2003, 03:59 AM

Originally posted by Memphis_Mac:
Okay, so I'm a little late getting into the OS X game. But anyway...

I've got a 400mhz iMac, DVSE (Graphite). I'll be adding 512MB of RAM to the 128MB that's currently in there.

Now, the questions:

Switching back and forth between Classic and OS X:
I've got a lot of apps that I don't use much, but I might need them every once in a while.
How much of a pain is it to switch back and forth between OSX and Classic? I've heard that it's just like running another app - true?

Deleting iLife apps before OS X install:
Since my iMac still has its original 13GB hard drive, my space is a bit limited. I've got enough space for the install, but I'd like to free up more. Can I delete my OS 9 versions of iTunes and iMovie? OS X replace them with the new ones, right?

Filemaker:
I've got FM Pro 5.5. Will I be able to move that into OS X, or should I leave it in my Classic apps folder? I still use FileMaker a lot, and I want to make sure it will A) work in OS X or B) still be convenient to use if it's in Classic.

Backup/format/install:
Do I really need to back all my files up, format the drive, and install OS X clean?
Or can I just do it like an update?

None of this is a problem.
Just do it, you will understand more then.

You don't have to backup and wipe your disk first, but its a good idea (worth the hassle).

JKT · Nov 11, 2003, 06:49 AM

Tidy up first! That is, if you have lots of files scattered everywhere and anywhere, I'd tidy them up before installing. E.g. At the top level of the hard drive, I'd only have an Applications (Mac OS 9) folder, Documents (OS9) folder, and System Folder. I'd also label these (e.g. red) before installing. I'd also be tempted to clear your desktop of files etc as well although that isn't absolutely necessary.

Also, I'd revert to the Base extension set for OS 9 prior to the install and then add back only the extensions that are necessary for you to run your Classic apps - that way you will have a clean Classic environment within OS X.

Why? Because that way you will know precisely where everything belongs after the install has finished and it'll prove less confusing to you.

I've just (clean) installed Panther on my iMacDV 400MHz and I'm happy to say it is performing like a chap.

FWIW, this is how Classic launches within OS X:

and running a Classic app:

Soooo... backup what you deem to be vital, tidy up your files, consider deleting iTunes etc as you'll probably no longer need them and go for it.

Memphis_Mac · Nov 11, 2003, 08:16 AM

Thanks for all of the great responses. As soon as I get everything cleaned up, I'll be making the jump.

JKT, did you partition your hard drive and put OS X on one and 9.2.2 on another? It looks that way from your screen shots (which are great, BTW), but I couldn't quite tell. I've only got a 13GB hard drive, so I don't know if I want to worry about splitting it.

Brian

JKT · Nov 11, 2003, 09:16 AM

Yep, I did but it is by no means necessary to do (and with a smallish hard drive like yours, I'd strongly recommend NOT doing it - you'll inevitably end up running out of space sooner than necessary if you have partitions). My primary reason for doing this is that I very rarely use Classic apps any more and that this partition is mostly to be used as a Photoshop scratch disk (from OS X). I also find it helps me, organisation wise, to have a greater distinction between my legacy Classic apps and OS X ones.

Memphis_Mac · Nov 12, 2003, 10:59 AM

One more question:

Will my Que external Firewire CD-RW drive still function with Toast in Classic?

I should be able to use iTunes to burn music in OS X, but I still need to burn data.

Brian

typoon · Nov 12, 2003, 11:08 AM

Originally posted by Memphis_Mac:
One more question:

Will my Que external Firewire CD-RW drive still function with Toast in Classic?

I should be able to use iTunes to burn music in OS X, but I still need to burn data.

Brian

is it USB or Firewire? If it's firewire it should if it's USB maybe not

cpac · Nov 12, 2003, 11:33 AM

Originally posted by Memphis_Mac:
One more question:

Will my Que external Firewire CD-RW drive still function with Toast in Classic?

I should be able to use iTunes to burn music in OS X, but I still need to burn data.

Brian

I'm not sure on this question, but I can tell you that data burning is built-in to OS X. (it may not have all the options you like in Toast, but then again, it might).

Memphis_Mac · Nov 12, 2003, 11:36 AM

Originally posted by typoon:
is it USB or Firewire? If it's firewire it should if it's USB maybe not

It's firewire.

And I wasn't aware of the built-in burning capability. All the more reason to go buy OS X.

Brian

JKT · Nov 12, 2003, 12:05 PM

IIRC, data burning was/is actually a part of the OS 9 finder too - if your burner is supported.

mitchell_pgh · Nov 12, 2003, 12:22 PM

Originally posted by Memphis_Mac:
It's firewire.

And I wasn't aware of the built-in burning capability. All the more reason to go buy OS X.

Brian

a) It's where Apple and the Mac platform are going... OS 9 is dead.

b) The iApps have all been updated to take advantage of OS X.

c) OS X IS much more stable.

d) Real memory management (no more playing around with memory settings)

e) Better basic apps built in (Mail.app, Safari, Address Book...)

f) Unix underpinnings (I was able to move away from FileMaker by learning how the terminal works) [ONLY FOR BASIC THINGS]

g) MUCH cooler interface.

h) Built in font management (it's basic, and a pro would hate it, but nice for average users)

i) Rendezvous is very nice when working on big projects.

j) Cool unix ports (VLC is a video player... very nice) [ONE EXAMPLE]

Those are my big ones... for you... the only negatives will be speed and compatibility for your older applications (which you should consider upgrading).

SMacTech · Nov 12, 2003, 12:28 PM

Ensure you do all the latest firmware updates for your iMac before installing OS X or you will be left with no internal video.
Filemaker Pro 5.5, runs natively in OS X. I use it all the time.

typoon · Nov 12, 2003, 02:15 PM

Originally posted by Memphis_Mac:
It's firewire.

And I wasn't aware of the built-in burning capability. All the more reason to go buy OS X.

Brian

If it's firewire it should work. You might want to do a search on the forums on your burner to see if people have had issues with it.

barbarian · Nov 12, 2003, 03:05 PM

I've only got a 13GB hard drive, so I don't know if I want to worry about splitting it.

Your hard drive is going to be the issue... not a lot of wiggle room there.

I'd highly suggest doing a custom install and not installing any of the extra languages or print drivers. This should save you almost a gig.

The other idea would be to go out and buy a good external firewire HD. HDs are about $1/gig.

I'd recommend:

1. Updating the drive's firmware if it needs it.

2. Backing up your entire OS 9 installation on the firewire drive.

3. Wiping your HD and installing OS X

4. Using OS 9 apps from the HD.

This would give you lots of breathing room and you wouldn't be fighting for space all the time.

The other thing for happy OS X migration is to make sure you have plenty of RAM (which is also cheap). 256 is the bare minimum. Double or quadruple that is recommended, especially if you want Panther to run at 9ish speeds. RAM is the best way to improve system performance.

Krusty · Nov 12, 2003, 05:24 PM

Originally posted by barbarian:
[B]]The other idea would be to go out and buy a good external firewire HD. HDs are about $1/gig.

An idea you should definitely listen to.
ADDITIONALLY ... you could do as I did and
buy a nice external case + larger hard drive. Use Carbon Copy Cloner to do a bit-for-bit copy of your 13g to the larger one. And then swap the larger one into your iMac and put the 13g in the external case. Increases your capacity while leaving everything "like normal" until you've had time to sort things out and put them where you want them on the new drive.

Memphis_Mac · Nov 24, 2003, 10:54 AM

I'm definitely bumping the RAM up to 512MB. (and can I leave the current 128MB in there? I think there are two slots.)

I'm also trying to keep costs down, so I'm not sure about buying an external HD. I might be able to borrow one for a few days anyway.

If I do decide to wipe the drive clean first, how exactly does that work? Let's say that I get everything backed up, what's my next step? I've never formatted a drive before. I wipe it all clean to a base 9.2, right? And then throw 10 on top of it?

Sorry for the ultra-simplicity of the questions. I'm just trying to make sure I know exactly what I'm doing before I get started.

And thanks for the tip on Filemaker 5.5 - I was really hoping to be able to run that in OS X. Could anybody point me to a list of OS9-era applications and their ability to run in OSX? Stuff like Quicken 2000/2001, Photoshop 5, etc.

Thanks,

Brian

Appleman · Nov 24, 2003, 11:23 AM

i used to have a Freecom Traveller firewire cd-burner, which first was supported (OS X 10.1) but stopped working in Jaguar (OS X 10.2.x) so there is a risk more cd-burners are not supported. I have no idea if it's working now.

Note: it didn't work with the Finder burning and with iTunes, it did, however, always worked with Toast.

Memphis_Mac · Nov 24, 2003, 11:56 AM

Originally posted by Appleman:
i used to have a Freecom Traveller firewire cd-burner, which first was supported (OS X 10.1) but stopped working in Jaguar (OS X 10.2.x) so there is a risk more cd-burners are not supported. I have no idea if it's working now.

Note: it didn't work with the Finder burning and with iTunes, it did, however, always worked with Toast.

I've got a QUE that I think is on the "burners that work" list on apple.com.