Member Avatar for salt

I have a g4 400 running os9.04 that i would like to update to tiger 10.4 without loosing 9. I have many older apps that i would prefer not to update. Should i , can i install a second internal hard drive with os 10 and go back and forth between drivesw and operating systems? Would this work well or would it be too slow? Has anyone else tried this?

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asked whether a G4 400 can run Tiger while keeping OS 9, and the answers from and point in the right direction. Classic (the OS 9 compatibility layer inside Tiger) requires a Mac OS 9.1 or later System Folder to be present on a volume, so having a working OS 9 install (or the original restore/“Additional Software” discs) is the usual starting point. Tiger itself runs on PowerPC G3/G4/G5 machines and lists 256 MB RAM as the minimum — real-world use is noticeably better with more memory. (leopard-adc.pepas.com)

Hardware options: a second internal drive, a separate partition, or an external FireWire drive are all valid ways to keep OS 9 and OS X separate. Each approach preserves the other OS and requires a reboot to switch. Startup selection is done with the Startup Disk control panel or by holding Option (Alt) at boot to pick a different drive/volume. Historically an external FireWire disk has been a convenient test-bed before committing to an internal change. (support.apple.com)

Important caveats and performance notes: Classic will run many OS 9 apps but does not emulate low-level drivers or provide full hardware access — disk utilities, some device drivers and apps that touch hardware directly may only work when booted natively into OS 9. On a 400 MHz G4, Tiger will run but can feel sluggish with only 256 MB RAM; adding RAM (512 MB or more when possible) and keeping the Classic session lean improves responsiveness. (vdoc.pub)

Quick practical checklist (safe path):

  • make a full bootable backup/clone of the existing OS 9 disk;
  • obtain original restore or OS 9 installer media (or a known-good System Folder) so Classic will have a valid System Folder;
  • create a new partition or connect/install a second drive and format the new volume as Mac OS Extended (Journaled);
  • install Tiger onto that volume (choose Custom to skip unneeded extras);
  • verify Classic preferences point to the OS 9 System Folder and test legacy apps — if an app fails in Classic, try booting the native OS 9 partition/drive. (flylib.com)

Summary: both approaches mentioned in-thread work. Installing Tiger on a separate volume (partition, second internal drive, or external FireWire) is the cleanest way to keep OS 9 intact and switch back when an older app needs full OS 9 access; expect modest performance on a 400 MHz G4 unless RAM is increased. (apple.com)

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Member Avatar for gortonsfi

You will have to start by updating 9.0.4 to 9.2.2 from apple.com

Member Avatar for salt

You will have to start by updating 9.0.4 to 9.2.2 from apple.com

Hi, gortonsfi
Why do i need to update to 9.2.2?

Member Avatar for granny in sc

You will have to start by updating 9.0.4 to 9.2.2 from apple.com

Maybe Steve should do a poll for individual working people rather than Corporation and the upper management that serves them.

Member Avatar for granny in sc

Hi, gortonsfi
Why do i need to update to 9.2.2?

System OSX will not upgrade 9.0.4. It needs system 9.2.2 to get started. Why?.... because Steve Jobs said so.

Member Avatar for granny in sc

Not necessary to install an additional hard drive to achieve the result you are seeking.

If you install Tiger OS 10.4.3 on a computer that already has System 9.2.2 installed that will "automatically" become the "classic mode" in your Tiger software.

When you click on one of your old system 9 software programs, Tiger loads classic mode and you are now operating in system 9! All your software works same as always. Pretty cool, huh!

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