This article is the Installing Mac OS 8 Read Me file.

This document describes how to install Mac OS 8. It includes compatibility information, instructions for the Install Mac OS application program, and basic installation troubleshooting. For more detailed information, see the Mac OS 8 installation manual.

Warning: PowerTalk is not compatible with Mac OS 8. After you install Mac OS 8, you will not be able to access your PowerTalk mail or catalogs, nor will you be able to use your keychain or other PowerTalk services. See the Mac OS 8 installation manual for more information.

Warning: Application programs that use QuickDraw GX may not be able to print due to changes in the version of QuickDraw GX included with Mac OS 8. See the file About QuickDraw GX for more information.

Before you install
1. Turn off any security software that you may have installed on your computer.

2. If you have a PowerBook, make sure that it is plugged into AC power and set not to go to sleep.

3. If you have AppleShare software earlier than version 3.6.4, you should upgrade to version 3.6.4 before installing Mac OS 8 over a network. See the document in the AppleShare folder in the Utilities folder for instructions.

4. Write down your current Internet settings, such as the IP address, subnet mask, name server, and so on. After installation, the Internet Setup Assistant will ask you to enter this information.

5. Start up your computer using the Mac OS CD-ROM disc or the Mac OS 8 Install Me First floppy disk. See your installation manual for instructions.

If you can't start up with the Mac OS 8 disks, be sure to do the following additional steps:

1. Turn off any virus-protection software that you may have installed on your computer.

2. Disable all non-Apple extensions and control panels. If you have System 7.5 or later, use the Extensions Manager control panel to select the System 7.x base set of extensions and control panels. See the installation manual for more details.

3. Restart your computer before installing Mac OS 8.

Compatibility information

Although compatibility problems are not expected, you can ensure a smooth upgrade by checking with the manufacturers of any non-Apple software you use to make sure it is compatible with Mac OS 8. If you do experience a problem, see the troubleshooting chapter in your installation manual for more information on isolating compatibility problems.

Computers with 68040 processor upgrade cards
Computers upgraded to 68040 with a processor upgrade card are not supported by Mac OS 8.

Performa or Power Macintosh 5000 and 6000 series computers
Some Performa or Power Macintosh 5200 series, 5300 series, 6200 series, and 6300 series models cannot use Mac OS 8 until a hardware problem is fixed. The repairs are covered under the Apple repair extension program. To see if your computer has this hardware problem, use the 5xxx/6xxx Tester utility in the Utilities folder on the CD before installing Mac OS 8.

Note: The Power Macintosh or Performa 6320, 6360, and 5260 do not have this hardware problem. If you have a Power Macintosh or Performa 6320, 6360, or 5260, you do not need to use the tester program.

Installing Mac OS 8

Accelerated NuBus PowerPC computers
If you have a Power Macintosh 6100, 7100, 8100, or 9150 with a third-party accelerator that increases the clock speed of your computer, the Installer might refuse to install Mac OS 8 because it doesn't recognize your system. You can install Mac OS 8 on these computers by using the individual installers located in the Software Installers folder on the Mac OS 8 CD instead.

MacODBC and Mac OS 8
If you use MacODBC, you should either install it before installing Mac OS 8, or perform a custom install of MacODBC and make sure the ASLM extensions are not selected. The MacODBC installer installs older versions of ASLM extensions that are incompatible with Mac OS 8.

Third-party Finder and utility software
Some third-party programs that extend or add features to Mac OS may be incompatible. Examples include programs that change the way menus work, change how files are stored, or alter the way you work with files in the Finder. Contact the software's manufacturer for information about using such programs with Mac OS 8. This is especially important if you're using a program that automatically alters the way files are stored (such as compressing them) because you might not be able to access those files until you obtain updated software for use with Mac OS 8.

400K diskettes and Mac OS 8
The 400K MFS diskette format is not supported by Mac OS 8. If you have information or programs on obsolete 400K diskettes that you want to access, copy the files to your hard disk, an 800K diskette, or a 1.44 MB diskette before installing Mac OS 8.

Using the Install Mac OS program
To ensure a successful upgrade, use the Install Mac OS program to install the software. This program unifies the tasks recommended for a successful installation and simplifies the installation process. Refer to the Mac OS 8 installation manual and the onscreen help in the Install Mac OS program for more information.

Troubleshooting suggestions

Disk cannot be updated with the Apple utilities
Some Apple-branded disks manufactured by third parties, including the Apple 365 MB external hard disk, are not supported by the Apple disk utilities. If your disk cannot be updated with the Apple utilities, you will need to use a third-party disk utility to update the driver.

Disk has problems and cannot be repaired message
If you see a message that your disk has problems and cannot be repaired, turn off file sharing if it is on, then try installing again. If that does not work, try using another disk-repair utility. If you do not have another utility, or if that utility also does not work, you may need to reinitialize the disk. Copy all your files to another disk first, as reinitializing erases the disk. For more information about reinitializing, see the manual that came with your computer.

Problems during installation
If you experience problems during installation, be sure to start up with the Mac OS 8 CD-ROM disc or the Mac OS 8 Install Me First floppy disk. See your installation manual for instructions.

Cannot start up with CD-ROM
If you are installing over a network, or if you have a non-Apple CD-ROM drive and cannot start up with the CD or disk, turn off all extensions that were not provided with your system software. Then restart the computer.

See the troubleshooting chapter in your installation manual for additional suggestions.

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Apple, the Apple logo, AppleShare, Macintosh, Mac OS, Performa, PowerBook, Power Macintosh, and PowerTalk are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Extensions Manager is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. PowerPC is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation, used under license therefrom.