[Nathan Harris]

I have 2 machines; an iMac (233MHz, 160mb, Bondi) and a G4. I bought OS9 for my iMac as soon as it was released, and bought my G4 last month (it came with OS9 included). Here is my problem: I have had a major crash on my iMac due to a worm virus. It looks like I am going to have to do a clean installation of the OS. However I have scratched my OS9 CD and it no longer reads.

Can I use my 'G4 System Install CD' on the iMac, or does this contain all sorts of other gubbins (firmware updates, DVD, etc) that will cause even more problems for my iMac? I REALLY don't want to have to fork out �72 for another OS9 CD.

Yours hopefully,

Nathan

you cannot install from G4 disc. The firmware will recognize the iMac and discontinue the install. You need a new OS9'er disc dude.

You might try a CD scratch repair kit. I got one (about $20, much less than new system software CDs) and used it on a friend's scratched Smiths CD--he can now hear it! Then he tried it on one of his kid's game CDs, and it restored that CD to usable as well.

$20 is more than to replace the audio CD, but MUCH less than to replace software CDs.

I found it at Office Max, but BestBuy or InCOMPetentUSA should have them too.

Best of luck!