Member Avatar for James VanScoy

Everytime I try to install something on my iMac G-3 it says "Classic can not find a Mac OS 9 system folder on the startup disk to use," and then it says "You may need to install Mac OS 9.1 or later on your computer. To select a system folder on another Volume, click open classic preferences," but when I click on it it says that there are no system folders to choose. And it does this even when I'm trying to install Mac OS 9.1
I don't know what to do, this is my first Mac and I'm getting really frustrated and upset. :evil: Please help :confused:

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Dani AI

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This thread's error points to a missing or unrecognized Mac OS 9 “System Folder” (not a Panther/Classic bug). Several useful pointers are already in the replies — 's partition/boot question is the right diagnostic start, 's reminder that Classic needs a valid OS‑9 folder registered with the system is on target, and 's warning about firmware updates that must run from native OS 9 is important to avoid bricking older iMacs.

Practical checklist (safe, model‑agnostic steps):

  • A full backup should be made before changing partitions or reinstalling.
  • Boot the machine from the Mac OS 9 install CD (hold the C key while powering on) and run Disk First Aid from the CD to repair the hard disk and any damaged System Folder metadata.
  • If no System Folder exists, install OS 9 onto its own HFS partition (create the partition only after backing up). Installing OS 9 natively creates the correct “blessed” System Folder metadata that Classic looks for.

Once OS 9 is installed natively:

  • Boot into OS 9 and set the System Folder as the startup disk from OS 9’s Startup Disk control panel (this marks the folder so OS X/Classic can see it). After that, Classic preferences in OS X should list the folder.
  • Any model‑specific firmware updater must be run while booted in native OS 9 (not from within Classic under OS X) — failure to do so has rendered some iMac G3s unusable, as noted by .

If the installer still reports “no system folder,” check the install media and the optical drive (discs can be damaged as suggested), reset PRAM (hold Command‑Option‑P‑R at boot until the second chime), and record the exact iMac model and current OSX/Panther state before attempting further model‑specific firmware or partitioning steps.

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Member Avatar for kc0arf

James,

Is this still a current topic? I have some ideas for you. Need to know if you have partitioned your hard drive, and if you can boot into OS 9 or not. Would like to help if the problem remains.

Christian

Member Avatar for atrain23

James,

Is this still a current topic? I have some ideas for you. Need to know if you have partitioned your hard drive, and if you can boot into OS 9 or not. Would like to help if the problem remains.

Christian

I am a fairly new Mac user and am having the exact same issue. I want to upgrade my older 350mhz iMac to Panther and need to upgrade my firmware first. Can't do it though because I am getting the same error message about not be able to run the classic environment. Please help. Thanks in advance!!!

Member Avatar for Dani

I'm not sure if this is relevant, but in Panther, you have to install Classic, and once the OS9 system folder is installed, you need to go into System Preferences and tell it where the OS9 system folder is before you can run classic. Or else it will give you that error message. OK I don't think that solves your problem though, but it's all I know about this. (I'm a new maccie).

Member Avatar for kc0arf

Hello,

If you have classic properly installed, you should be able to go to the System Preferences menu, and choose Startup Disk. You should see that Classic installation there, and be able to select it,and boot into Mac OS 9. Once you boot into Classic, (and you will see the difference), try running that firmware upgrade.

I do not have a machine that qualifies for the firmware upgrade, so I cannot comment on exactly how to do it.

Christian

Member Avatar for vidzuyudzu

Hello could help if you buy another classic program because I think the present disc is in damage try whit another one the only one with classic is macos x 10.1.

Member Avatar for digger

I totally screwed a 400MHz iMac "DV" by installing Panther without updating the firmware.
I have since found out that the firmware MUST be updated from OS9, not Classic or it MAY render the Imac unusable.
There is an Apple site which tells which ones need the upgrade

Good luck

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