how to make a 3rd gen+ ipod work under Mac OS 9
Submitted by iamdigitalman on February 7, 2006 - 1:46am.
Development & Software Hacks
yes, this is in the right place, as I am discussing how to beat your software into submission.
ok, so it's not really a hack, but more of a "unthought of way to play with existing software"
ok, so this is what you do:
1. go buy a copy of Connetix Virtual PC 6, which is no longer being made, so you need to get it off ebay or somewhere else.
2. buy a copy of Windows 2000 or XP (home OR pro, doesnt make any diff.), again, ebay is your best bet.
3. install virtual PC.
4. install 2000/XP like this:
-when running PC setup assistant, choose 'create PC manually', the option in the middle.
-on the next page, click 'install an operating system onto an empty PC', the option at the top.
- on the next page, click either windows XP or windows 2000, depending on which OS you bought.
-on the next page, choose how much ram you want the guest OS to have. I have 512 total system ram, so I set the slider to 416, the max virtual PC would allow for stable operation. but you could probibly get away with 256. 128 (the default) would be pushing it, and anything less would be murder. remeber, this is a microsoft OS you are installing, not Cabrio, or some other low ram programme.
-on the next page, choose no for the undo drivers.
-on the next page, give the virtual PC a name. I just put the name of the OS.
-on the next page, click 'create'.
5. click the settings button BEFORE clicking "start up".
6. on the settings page, click networking, and choose "virtual switch". this, for some reason, has worked better for me. your milage may varry.
7. choose USB from the settings list, and check the entry for iPod (sorry firewire afficondos, I am one too, but it wont work here. I tried.)
8. insert the windows disc in the disc drive, and wait for it to mount on your desktop.
9. click start up, and wait for the virtual OS to boot. when it says "press any key to boot from CD", do it.
10. follow the directions to install windows. when it asks how you want to format, choose "fat32" or "fat32 (quick)". I have had better luck with it under fat32, but again, your milage may varry. also, remember that because this is an emulation, it WILL be slower, and thus it will take longer to install.
11. when the OS is done installing (2 hours for me), and the OS is fully booted to the desktop, create a new network connection (start>control panels>network connections), and make sure you choose the option for the connection that is always on (I dont know which option it is).
note: you may get a found new hardware bubble in the system tray, this is for the iPod. let it install the drivers, which will take a good 2-5 minutes.
12. with the net connection created, go to apple's site, and download (and install, duh) itunes.
13. open iTunes, and wait a few minutes. you should find an entry for "iPod" in your sources list.
14. enjoy the new longevity of OS 9!!
why did I write all that? because I am an OS 9 afficondo/holdout, and I know I am not the only one out there. if you have a machine that wont run OS X, or if you dont have X (yet), then this is for you.
enjoy!! -digital 