Thread
Mac Os 9 booting on: G4 Tower MDD FW800 (Detailed Posts)
Is there out a method to "change" the "firmware" of a MDD FW800 to a OS9 bootable (First MDD) "bios"?
I did not find anyone that had made, but maybe one user has the 2 models and can say us: "the fw800 has a XXX chip for the bios and the Fw400 has YYY chip" Maybe noone was brave enought to "desolder" the "OSX" controller and put a "OS9" compatible one.
There "should" be a method to "force flash" the bios from the FW800 models to OS9, but in 6-7 years of research I did not find anything nor anyone.
But I just learned in the good way that this machines can still surprise us.
I readed somewhere that Lacie FW800 add-on cards work on OS9 as FW400.
Maybe the FW800 FW chipset is the only difference?
I did not find anyone that had made, but maybe one user has the 2 models and can say us: "the fw800 has a XXX chip for the bios and the Fw400 has YYY chip" Maybe noone was brave enought to "desolder" the "OSX" controller and put a "OS9" compatible one.
There "should" be a method to "force flash" the bios from the FW800 models to OS9, but in 6-7 years of research I did not find anything nor anyone.
But I just learned in the good way that this machines can still surprise us.
I readed somewhere that Lacie FW800 add-on cards work on OS9 as FW400.
Maybe the FW800 FW chipset is the only difference?
-No Fw800, No USB 2... but I had read long time ago that this is posible.
-Format an HD with Mac Os 9 drivers.
-Use a Mac Os ROM version 10.2
-Force the startup with this HD.
... I never tested this, but may help ...
-Format an HD with Mac Os 9 drivers.
-Use a Mac Os ROM version 10.2
-Force the startup with this HD.
... I never tested this, but may help ...
Let's wait until DieHard chimes in. I think he's an expert when it comes to this 
I have used the fw800 cpu (dual 1.42ghz) chips in the fw400
and it works alright - very quick for macos9 - only that it does run hotter
and the os9 doesn't have good manual software fan controllers -
the rate of the fans seem to be higher and noisier in os9 than in osx.
This is probably why the mdd 1.42ghz processors were on a model
that were macosx only the fan controllers were able to be controlled
better within the system - I don't know the reason.
So if I can use the cpu for fw800 on a motherboard for a fw400 mdd and macos9
works then the ROM for os9 must be on the fw400 motherboard and
not on the motherboard for the mdd fw800 g4's - my guess.
So the only downgrade would be a motherboard of the fw400 version
where the macos9 ROM chip resides. Must not be on the Fw800 model
motherboards.
and it works alright - very quick for macos9 - only that it does run hotter
and the os9 doesn't have good manual software fan controllers -
the rate of the fans seem to be higher and noisier in os9 than in osx.
This is probably why the mdd 1.42ghz processors were on a model
that were macosx only the fan controllers were able to be controlled
better within the system - I don't know the reason.
So if I can use the cpu for fw800 on a motherboard for a fw400 mdd and macos9
works then the ROM for os9 must be on the fw400 motherboard and
not on the motherboard for the mdd fw800 g4's - my guess.
So the only downgrade would be a motherboard of the fw400 version
where the macos9 ROM chip resides. Must not be on the Fw800 model
motherboards.
There is "another" ROM that allow the "Spring 2003" iMac G4/800 "Flat Panel" X Only, to boot into Mac Os 9.
I've taken a little time comparing that special ROM (convenient called "Custer") and Mac Os ROM 10.2.1 and I always thought that are almost the same thing. My therory is that the Custer ROM upgrades Mac Os ROM 9.8.1 to 10.2.1, but I may be wrong.
As I haven't any FW800 to test it. I can share This ROM to any one that want to experiment. ...and who knows...
I've taken a little time comparing that special ROM (convenient called "Custer") and Mac Os ROM 10.2.1 and I always thought that are almost the same thing. My therory is that the Custer ROM upgrades Mac Os ROM 9.8.1 to 10.2.1, but I may be wrong.
As I haven't any FW800 to test it. I can share This ROM to any one that want to experiment. ...and who knows...
https://discussions.apple.com/message/13022080#13022080
So... in conclusion... any Mac gurus that have a MDD FW800 diagnostic CD, please extract everything needed and create a Bootable complete version of OS 9 for us... we look forward to posting a working copy by the end of the week... or month... or year
Says that AHT 2.0.1 (FW800) is here http://download.info.apple.com/Apple_Hardware_Test/693-4817-A.dmg
Booting OS9 on newer (unsupported) macs Part II
from 68k liberation
http://68kmla.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=18994
from 68k liberation
http://68kmla.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=18994
I have uploaded the OS9General FW800 file to the file section but heres the differences between
the system files in the system folder for the OS9General Image for the FW400 computers
and the FW800 computers;
In the System Folder of the MDD FW800 Model here are the files.
Classic v9.1.6 Mac OS 9.2.2 Extras 1.4 (Created 21/03/03 - Size 3.2mb)
Classic Support v2.1.1 Mac OS 9.2.2 Extras 1.4 (Created 22/11/02 - Size 213KB)
Classic Support UI v2.1.1 Mac OS 9.2.2 Extras 1.4 (Created 22/11/02 - Size 279KB)
Finder vZ1-9.2 Mac OS Z-9.2.2 (Created 30/05/01 - Modified 15/06/01 - Size 2.4mb)
Login v1.4.1 Mac OS Z-9.2.2 (Created 04/04/01 - Size 700KB)
Mac OS ROM v9.7.1 Mac OS CPU Software Z-5.6 (Created 12/10/02 - Size 3.4mb)
Panels v1.4.1 Mac OS Z-9.2.2 (Created 04/04/01 - Size 1.3mb)
System (18.4mb file) Date Created: 02/08/98 (Date Created 02/08/98 5:00am - Size 18.5mb)
System Resources vZ1-9.2.2 Mac OS Z-9.2.2 (1mb file) (Date Created 16/11/01 - Modified 22/11/01 7:00am - Size 1mb)
In the System Folder of the MDD FW400 Model here are the files.
Classic v9.1.7 Mac OS 9.2.2 Extras 1.5 (Created 21/03/03 - Size 3.2mb)
Classic Support v2.1.1 Mac OS 9.2.2 Extras 1.5 (Created 22/11/02 - Size 213KB)
Classic Support UI v2.1.1 Mac OS 9.2.2 Extras 1.5 (Created 22/11/02 - Size 279KB)
Finder vZ1-9.2 Mac OS Z-9.2.2 (Created 30/05/01 - Modified 15/06/01 5:00am - Size 2.4mb)
Login v1.4.1 Mac OS Z-9.2.2 (Created 04/04/01 - Size 700KB)
Mac OS ROM v10.2.1 Mac OS CPU Software Z-5.8 (Created 04/04/03 - Size 3.4mb)
Panels v1.4.1 Mac OS Z-9.2.2 (Created 04/04/01 - Size 1.3mb)
System (Date Created 02/08/98 - Size 18.5mb)
System Resources vZ1-9.2.2 Mac OS Z-9.2.2 (1mb file) (Date Created 16/11/01 - Modified 22/11/01 - Size 1mb)
the system files in the system folder for the OS9General Image for the FW400 computers
and the FW800 computers;
In the System Folder of the MDD FW800 Model here are the files.
Classic v9.1.6 Mac OS 9.2.2 Extras 1.4 (Created 21/03/03 - Size 3.2mb)
Classic Support v2.1.1 Mac OS 9.2.2 Extras 1.4 (Created 22/11/02 - Size 213KB)
Classic Support UI v2.1.1 Mac OS 9.2.2 Extras 1.4 (Created 22/11/02 - Size 279KB)
Finder vZ1-9.2 Mac OS Z-9.2.2 (Created 30/05/01 - Modified 15/06/01 - Size 2.4mb)
Login v1.4.1 Mac OS Z-9.2.2 (Created 04/04/01 - Size 700KB)
Mac OS ROM v9.7.1 Mac OS CPU Software Z-5.6 (Created 12/10/02 - Size 3.4mb)
Panels v1.4.1 Mac OS Z-9.2.2 (Created 04/04/01 - Size 1.3mb)
System (18.4mb file) Date Created: 02/08/98 (Date Created 02/08/98 5:00am - Size 18.5mb)
System Resources vZ1-9.2.2 Mac OS Z-9.2.2 (1mb file) (Date Created 16/11/01 - Modified 22/11/01 7:00am - Size 1mb)
In the System Folder of the MDD FW400 Model here are the files.
Classic v9.1.7 Mac OS 9.2.2 Extras 1.5 (Created 21/03/03 - Size 3.2mb)
Classic Support v2.1.1 Mac OS 9.2.2 Extras 1.5 (Created 22/11/02 - Size 213KB)
Classic Support UI v2.1.1 Mac OS 9.2.2 Extras 1.5 (Created 22/11/02 - Size 279KB)
Finder vZ1-9.2 Mac OS Z-9.2.2 (Created 30/05/01 - Modified 15/06/01 5:00am - Size 2.4mb)
Login v1.4.1 Mac OS Z-9.2.2 (Created 04/04/01 - Size 700KB)
Mac OS ROM v10.2.1 Mac OS CPU Software Z-5.8 (Created 04/04/03 - Size 3.4mb)
Panels v1.4.1 Mac OS Z-9.2.2 (Created 04/04/01 - Size 1.3mb)
System (Date Created 02/08/98 - Size 18.5mb)
System Resources vZ1-9.2.2 Mac OS Z-9.2.2 (1mb file) (Date Created 16/11/01 - Modified 22/11/01 - Size 1mb)
I have uploaded the OS9General FW800 file to the file section but heres the differences betweenIs that "OS9General FW800" the AHT 2.0.1 ? Is the MacOS9 for MDD'03 EDU?
the system files in the system folder for the OS9General Image for the FW400 computers
and the FW800 computers;
Although I also have the install DVD for the PMG4 FW400 that has AHT2.0.2 for those introduced inCan you show us these
2003.
2003 models EDU MacOS9