When performing an installation of Mac OS 9, this error message may appear:

"Problems were encountered reading the source file 'Big System Morsels'. Installation cannot continue."

Symptom

When performing an installation of Mac OS 9, this error message appears:

"Problems were encountered reading the source file 'Big System Morsels'. Installation cannot continue."

Products affected

• Mac OS 9.0 through 9.0.4

Solution

This error is related to difficulties reading the source file, whether from disk image or CD-ROM disc.

Disk Image

If you encounter this error while installing software from a disk image, follow these steps:

1. Unmount the disk image from the desktop.

2. Remount the image using Disk Copy.

3. If the image successfully mounts, try running the installer application from the mounted image once again.

If you encounter this error while installing software from a CD-ROM, first make sure the disc is clean. Clean the data side of the disc by using a dry, lint-free cloth to gently wipe the CD from the spindle hole to the outer edge. Do not wipe in a circular fashion. If you have a CD-ROM lens cleaner disc, use that to clean the drive.

If the issue persists, it may be due to incompatible hardware. Try one or more of the following:

• Disconnect all external devices from the computer other than the display, the Apple mouse, and the Apple keyboard.
• Make sure that the proper RAM has been installed in the computer. Some computers require certain RAM speeds, or that RAM be installed in matching pairs. For more information, see article 20025: " Apple Memory Guide ."
• Check the internal cabling connecting SCSI or ATA devices to see if the cable has become crimped or wadded causing internal damage, or physically pierced by an internal protrusion.
• Remove any internal hardware added post-factory, such as hard drives or CPU accelerators.

Often the suspect software components can be bypassed and alternative methods used to install the software. Two alternative methods of installing the software that usually work are:

• Connect an external CD-ROM drive to the computer and use it to install the software.
• Put the disc into the CD-ROM drive of another computer that can be accessed over a network. Share the disc using File Sharing, and install the software over the network.

Note: If you are attempting to install Mac OS 9 on a computer with a PowerPC upgrade card installed, you may also get this error. Mac OS 9 does not work with PowerPC upgrade cards.