iMac G3 OS9

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smileyranger's picture
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iMac G3 OS9

I heard that I can (Using a modern mac) download a Xubuntu disk image to a CD, and put that into an iMac G3 running os9 and that it would download it as a new OS. But here's my problem, I don't know what version to put on the disk, and I need to know if anyone here has done this before.

Thanks! :3

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Re: iMac G3 OS9

Also, if anyone has done this before, I am completely clueless about the process for the OS change, and should you have the time, a walkthrough would be wonderful.

P.S. Will Ubuntu or Debian work as well?

(I'm leaning towards Debian now)

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Re: iMac G3 OS9

It can be done, but you might have a few issues along the way:
http://www.nuketown.com/node/2316

Haven't tried it myself, but reason I keep my old Macs around is for classic MacOS.

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Re: iMac G3 OS9

Thanks!

I'm going to be using it for basic email/web browsing as well as adding ram to run a 2-3 player Minecraft server. I'd use my dual core Dell, but it's more fun with a big blue egg.

Also, if I accidentally delete os9 in the setup, can I re-install it again if need be?

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Re: iMac G3 OS9

You can re-install OS 9 without any difficulties: Boot from an OS 9 CD, partition/erase and install.

Minecraft server, like the game itself, is processor intensive. The iMac falls far below the recommended specs, though it might be fun to attempt solely for the "because it's there" factor.

Ubuntu 10.10 was a good balance between features/performance, and might be better for you than the most recent ppc distro. I found 12.04 had a lot of lag on a 2.4 GHz PIV.
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PowerPCFAQ
...recommends using a variation like Xubuntu or Lubuntu to get better performance. The wiki recommends using the most recent version, but also concedes YMMV.
You would also gain some extra overhead for MC server by shutting off the gui and running java and MC by command line.

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Re: iMac G3 OS9

I'll order an OS9 CD then.

That's basically the only reason for even trying to make the iMac into a server simply because there's a sense of entertainment value in playing a new game via a 12 year old blue egg.

Although this is unrelated, my iMac is unable to use an airport card, (It's the 2000 350 MHZ Indigo model) I was wondering if there's any other way to get it online wirelessly without having to run an ethernet cable to my basement.

Thanks for the linux info and links!

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Re: iMac G3 OS9

What is the process involved in downloading the Xubuntu/ubuntu disk image and putting it on a CD that will be inserted into the iMac? (My main OS is Snow Leopard, and I don't know how to burn something like the linux disk image for installation to a disk) Does the iMac need to be hooked up to the internet when I install the OS?

Thanks!

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Re: iMac G3 OS9

UPDATE: I now have Ubuntu 6.10 running smoothly, and my next step is getting it online via ethernet cable.
It runs about twice as fast as before, and the setup was extremely simple. For anyone who is interested, here is the link to the distro I used. http://old-releases.ubuntu.com/releases/6.10/

Thanks for all of the help!

(I used disk utilities in Snow Leopard to burn the "Alternative" text based installer disk image to the CD)

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