What is Mac OS v8.0 Universal {M68K and PowerPC} (CD)?

About Mac OS 8

This document provides information about Mac OS 8 that supplements the information found in the compatibility notes section below.

Download Mac OS v8.0 Universal {M68K and PowerPC} (CD) for Mac

Architecture

68K + PPC (FAT)

Compatibility notes

Notes about installing Mac OS 8

• Internet Setup Assistant and LAN connections
If you are connected to the Internet through a local area network, select the add a new Internet configuration option when you use the Internet Setup Assistant. Selecting the option to modify the default configuration will not correctly configure your TCP/IP settings.

• AppleShare IP 5.0 servers and Mac OS 8
Apple recommends that you use Mac OS 7.6 with AppleShare IP 5.0 servers. If you use Mac OS 8, you may encounter problems with FTP access. When several FTP clients try to access the same file simultaneously, the clients may receive one of several error messages and the server may stop serving files properly, or may crash when you shut it down. To avoid this problem until a solution is available, you can turn off FTP access using the AppleShare IP Web & File Admin application. For the latest information on AppleShare IP 5.0 support for Mac OS 8, see the AppleShare IP web site at .

• PowerBook 190, 190cs, and 5300cs computers
On a PowerBook 190, 190cs or 5300cs the display may appear blank when you first restart after installing Mac OS 8, or after resetting PRAM. This is because the power manager is being updated on the PowerBook. Restarting the PowerBook once more will result in a normal screen. To shut down the PowerBook safely, press the Power button one time (which brings up the shutdown dialog box) then press the Return key.

• Mac OS 8 hard disks and older Macintosh computers
The hard disk driver software that the Mac OS 8 Installer places on Apple hard disks is not compatible with Macintosh Plus, Macintosh Classic, Macintosh SE, Macintosh Portable, and PowerBook 100 computers. If you have an external drive with Apple driver software connected to your computer when you install Mac OS 8, the updated driver software will cause an error if you connect that drive to any of these computers.

Notes about Mac OS 8

• General controls, empty trash warning, and views settings
These settings are restored to their default values after you install Mac OS 8. Additionally, in previous versions of the Mac OS, view settings such as “snap to grid” and “calculate folder size” applied to all folders. When you install Mac OS 8 your previous setting is used as the default, but you can now select different settings for each of your folders and the desktop. 

If you use a disk with Mac OS 8, and then use it on a computer with a previous version of the Mac OS, you'll notice that some of your views may change. For example, if you set a folder to “view by button,” then access that folder with System 7.6, the files will be displayed in large icon view because button view is not available in the older system software. Additionally, if you ejected the disk with open windows on a Mac OS 8 computer, the windows will not automatically reopen on older versions of the Mac OS.

• Unusual or inconsistent appearance
Some applications will exhibit unusual or inconsistent cosmetic anomalies when used with Mac OS 8. These are harmless, but if they bother you turn off the system-wide setting in the Appearance control panel. Contact the manufacturer of the program to see if an updated version of the program is available.

• Entering comments for floppy disks
With Mac OS 8 you can no longer enter comments in the Get Info window for floppy disks. The space formerly used for storing comments is now used by Mac OS 8 to store the view settings for the disk and its folders.

• Stationery pads and Mac OS 8
If you use a stationery pad with an application that does not directly support stationery, Mac OS 8 will automatically make a new copy of the stationery and open it using the application. In previous versions of the Mac OS, you were asked to enter a name for the new copy; now it is opened automatically as an untitled document.

• Disk cache setting and better performance
If opening windows, emptying Trash, and other activities in the Finder seem very slow, increase the size of the disk cache. Click the “Use Defaults” button in the Memory control panel to set the cache to the minimum recommended size for your system. With Mac OS 8, you can perform many file-related activities at the same time, and increasing the size of the disk cache will help performance.

• Using desktop pictures
If you select a desktop picture that is on a CD or external disk, the picture might not be available the next time you start up your computer and will not be displayed. Copy any pictures you want to display to your hard disk.

• Slow screen redrawing
If the desktop is redrawn slowly after closing a window, your computer might be running low on memory. Set the Desktop Pictures control panel to display a pattern, instead of a picture, to speed up the redrawing process.

• MBDF virus and Mac OS 8
If you notice that the title bars of windows have become white, your computer may be infected with the MBDF virus. With previous versions of the Mac OS, you may not have noticed that your computer was infected with this virus. Use a virus detection application to identify and remove MBDF and other viruses from your computer.

• AppleScript and the Finder
Many of the new features of the Mac OS 8 Finder are scriptable, and some of the properties in previous versions of the Finder have changed. Additionally, some scripting capabilities have been removed from the Finder and placed into scriptable control panels. For example, you can now script file sharing by addressing the File Sharing control panel directly. These changes might require some scripts to be updated for use with Mac OS 8.

• File Sharing and Users & Groups
If you want to be able to access the File Sharing and Users & Groups control panels on a remote computer using AppleScript, you must remove the FileSharing Commands scripting addition from the Scripting Additions folder on the remote computer. You must also enable program linking in the File Sharing and Users & Groups control panels.

• Recording scripts and Mac OS 8
When you record an AppleScript using the Script Editor, Mac OS 8 does not properly record name changes. For example, when you turn on recording in the Script Editor and then change the name of an icon in the Finder, the script will incorrectly record as:
     set «class» of item “folder name” to “folder name”
The correct recording should be:
    select item “folder name”
    set name of selection to “new folder name”
To work around this problem, edit the script after you record it. Change the wording as shown above, substituting the correct names.

Notes about compatibility

• Apple language kits and Mac OS 8
Apple's language kits require an updater for full functionality with this version of the Mac OS.  The Language Kit Updater for Mac OS 8 can be downloaded from the software updates area of Apple's Web site, America Online, and other sites where Apple updates are available.

If you cannot obtain the Language Kit Updater right away, do the following as an interim method of improving compatibility: After installing Mac OS 8, open the Installer again and add the International components of the basic system software. (See “Adding and Removing Software” in Chapter 3 of the installation manual.) Then reinstall your Apple language kit software. If the language kit Installer asks about older files, always choose Newer.

• Programs refuse to open
A small number of application programs won't open if the system font is set to anything but Chicago. To change the system font, use the Appearance control panel and change the font from Charcoal (the default) to Chicago then restart your computer and try to open the program again. Contact the manufacturer of the program to see if an updated version is available.

Additionally, some programs might require some additional memory when used with Mac OS 8. If a program refuses to open, increase its minimum memory allocation by 200K or 300K. To do this, select the program's icon, then open the File menu and choose Get Info. See the Memory topic in Mac OS Help for more information.

• Apple Telecom software
The Apple Telecom software provided in the CD Extras folder on the Mac OS 8 CD is for PowerPC computers only. Also, the Apple Fax Gateway is no longer supported and will be removed when you install the new version of Apple Telecom. 

If you already have an earlier version of Apple Telecom installed on your computer, a regular installation of Mac OS 8 does not remove or alter it. However, if you perform a clean installation of Mac OS 8, you will need to reinstall Apple Telecom software. If you have a PowerPC computer, use the Installer on the Mac OS 8 CD. If you have a 68040-based Mac OS computer, reinstall your previous version.

Important: If you have a 68040-based Mac OS computer, do not install the Apple Telecom software included with Mac OS 8.

• ATI Xclaim GA and 3DMF files
If you have an ATI Xclaim GA card and your computer freezes when the monitor is set to Thousands of Colors and you try to load a QuickDraw 3D (3DMF) file, remove the Graphics Accelerator 1.0.7x extension from the Extensions folder. This extension is installed by the ATI Installer but is no longer needed with Mac OS 8.

• Using old versions of Cyberdog with international text
Using Cyberdog 1.2.1 or earlier to send or receive non-Roman text in e-mail messages may cause information to be lost at the end of the message. Cyberdog 2.0, included with Mac OS 8, solves this problem.

• Apple CD-ROM and non-Apple CD-ROM incompatibilities
If your computer or CD-ROM drive is not manufactured by Apple, or you have an Apple CD-ROM drive and you use a non-Apple driver, incompatibilities may result. To permit your CD-ROM drive to function correctly, remove “Apple CD-ROM” from the Extensions folder, and reinstall the software to support your CD-ROM device.

• Network Software Installer version 1.5.1 installs older version of AppleTalk
The Network Software Installer installs an earlier version of AppleTalk than the one included with Mac OS 8. If an earlier AppleTalk version is installed, Open Transport networking software will not work. Do not use the Network Software Installer after installing Mac OS 8. 

• Apple HD SC Setup program
After you install Mac OS 8, you cannot use the obsolete Apple HD SC Setup program to initialize your hard drive. Use the Drive Setup program supplied with Mac OS 8 instead.

• Desktop Printing Extension and Mac OS 8
The Desktop Printing Extension is unnecessary with Mac OS 8. If it is present in the Extensions folder it may cause your system to freeze when you start up your computer.

Notes about Internet access

• Internet access in Canada
If you don't already have an account with an Internet service provider, you can obtain one using the Internet Setup Assistant, or you can choose one from the list in the International Internet Access file in the Internet Extras folder on the Mac OS 8 CD. Read this information before using the Internet Setup Assistant.

• Internet access in Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia
If you don't already have an account with an Internet service provider, see the file International Internet Access in the Internet Extras folder on the Mac OS 8 CD for important information. Read this information before using the Internet Setup Assistant.

• Sending compressed files with Claris Emailer Lite
To send compressed file attachments with Claris Emailer Lite you must install an application that installs the StuffIt Engine on your computer. One such program is DropStuff with Expander Enhancer, a shareware utility program included in the Aladdin folder of the Internet Utilities folder on the Mac OS CD. The version of Claris Emailer Lite included with Mac OS 8 requires the StuffIt Engine file in order to send compressed file attachments. You can still receive compressed files, or send non-compressed files, without installing the StuffIt Engine.

• Express Modems and GeoPort Adapter
If you have an Express Modem or GeoPort Adapter, and a 68040-based Mac OS computer, you may experience unexpected disconnections when accessing the Internet, the Internet Registration Server, and online services. External modems that do not use the Apple Telecom software will not experience this problem.

Notes about desktop computers

• AutoRemounter control panel is for PowerBooks only
The AutoRemounter control panel automatically remounts network devices after a PowerBook computer awakes from sleep. On desktop computers, network devices are not unmounted when the computer sleeps, so AutoRemounter is unnecessary. You can turn it off using the Extensions Manager control panel.

• Internal speaker on Power Macintosh 5500 and 6500 computers remains muted after disconnecting external speakers
If the external speakers are connected when the computer starts up and then are disconnected, the internal speakers remain muted. To work around this problem, restart the computer after disconnecting the external speakers. The internal speaker should work normally. 

Notes about PowerBook computers

• Apple Location Manager and Mac OS 8
To use the Apple Location Manager with your PowerBook computer, you must install the new Apple Location Manager included with Mac OS 8. Due to changes in Mac OS 8, previous versions of Apple Location Manager will not function correctly and should not be used.

• PowerBook 2400 computers and OT/PPP
After installing Mac OS 8, the printer/modem port on the PowerBook 2400 may be in use by AppleTalk. If you also install OT/PPP, you must turn off AppleTalk then restart your computer in order to release the port for use by OT/PPP. Turn off AppleTalk using the AppleTalk control panel. Then restart the PowerBook and select the modem/printer port in the OT/PPP control panel.

• Password Security protects one partition only
The PowerBook Password Security control panel asks for a password in order to start up the computer. If you have formatted your internal hard disk so it has more than one partition, only the startup partition will be password-protected. Additionally, if more than one partition has a System Folder, the PowerBook may start up from a non-protected partition.

• Password Security on PowerBook 2400 and 3400 computers
With Mac OS 8, the Password Security control panel won't allow you to set up password security on PowerBook 2400 and PowerBook 3400 computers. If you want to use password security, you can start up your PowerBook using a Disk Tools  diskette, then open the Password Security control panel on your hard disk and turn password protection on or off, or set your password.

• “Serial port in use ”error message on PowerBook computers with IrDA
If you receive an error message about the modem port being in use when you try to establish a PPP connection using OT/PPP, open the Infrared control panel and change the setting to IRTalk. 

Notes about printing

• Printing with a LaserWriter Select 300 or 350 printer
If you experience system freezes, flashing error messages, or slow performance when attempting to print with a LaserWriter Select 300 or 350 printer, make sure the printer is turned on and connected to the computer. 

• Using Mac OS 8 with HP DeskWriter printers
Your computer may freeze or crash when printing a Finder window or the desktop to an HP DeskWriter printer. The printer driver software for these printers does not currently support printing Finder windows or printing a picture of the desktop.

• Switching between a LocalTalk network and a serial printer
If you use the same port to alternately connect to a LocalTalk network and a serial printer, the port is not always correctly released after you turn off AppleTalk to use the printer. If you have trouble printing after turning AppleTalk off, restart the computer. 

• Reinstalling printer drivers
If you perform a clean installation of Mac OS 8, and an icon for your printer is not available in the Chooser, you may need to reinstall the software that came with your printer. If you have a StyleWriter, StyleWriter II, or StyleWriter 1200, you can use the StyleWriter 1500 driver that comes with Mac OS 8 instead of installing your original printer software. If you have a Color StyleWriter 2200 or Color StyleWriter 2400, you can use the Color StyleWriter 2500 driver instead.

Notes about known problems

• At Ease and Mac OS 8 
Some of the Mac OS 8 control panels can't be enabled for At Ease users and won't appear in At Ease Setup. You should use these control panels in the Finder before running At Ease. Also, note that At Ease does not support file sharing. Do not turn on file sharing when using At Ease or your computer may freeze.

• Enhanced CDs stop playing
Audio tracks on Enhanced Compact Discs may stop playing if you open a program, access a file, or use the Finder. Enhanced CDs contain both audio and data information, such as text, movies, or multimedia software. On occasion, the Finder needs to access information about the data portion of the CD, which causes the audio to stop playing. This problem does not occur with standard audio CDs.

• ARA 2.1 Personal Server and Users & Groups control panel
AppleTalk Remote Access Personal Server 2.1 cannot automatically open the Users & Groups control panel when you choose Users & Groups from the ARA setup menu. Instead, open the control panel by choosing it from the Control Panels submenu, in the Apple menu.

• ProDOS disks and File Sharing
Turn off File Sharing before accessing a ProDOS (Apple II) disk or hard drive. Or, if you are using a ProDOS disk, eject it before turning File Sharing on. The Finder will be less responsive when you access ProDOS disks, and may freeze when ProDOS disks and File Sharing are used together.

• Macintosh Tutorial 
If you have the Macintosh Tutorial, parts of it may not work correctly on 68040-based computers and Mac OS 8. Additionally, due to changes in the Finder and other parts of Mac OS 8, the information in the tutorial may no longer be correct. You can use the Mac OS Info Center to learn about the capabilities of your computer.

• IR File Exchange Guide
The Apple Guide for the IR File Exchange control panel does not recognize when the File Sharing control panel is open. You can avoid this problem by setting your owner name using the File Sharing control panel or the Mac OS Setup Assistant.

• File Sharing control panel and AppleShare
If you have AppleShare server software installed, some of the instructions about file sharing in the onscreen help will be incorrect. For instructions on network identity, file sharing, and activity monitoring, refer to the AppleShare documentation.

Miscellaneous notes

• Using Acrobat PDF documents
Some of the manuals included with Mac OS 8 are in Adobe Acrobat format. These files have “pdf” at the end of their names. To view or print these documents you must install Adobe Acrobat Reader, located in the CD Extras folder on the Mac OS 8 CD.

• QuickTake Image Access
When you are copying pictures from a QuickTake 100 or QuickTake 150 camera to your computer, make sure all the pictures you want have finished copying before you erase the contents of the camera. Previously, you couldn't erase the camera until copying was completed. Mac OS 8 can perform other tasks while copying files so it's possible to accidentally erase the pictures before they have been copied from the camera. You cannot recover a picture once it is erased from the camera.

• QuickTake 150 software installs old version of QuickTime PowerPlug
Mac OS 8 includes a new version of the QuickTime PowerPlug for computers with PowerPC microprocessors. The QuickTake 150 Installer replaces this with version 2.0. Remove the QuickTime PowerPlug file from your Extensions folder (inside the System Folder) before installing QuickTake 150 software. After the QuickTake software is installed, drag the PowerPlug file back to the Extensions folder. 

• Using a RAM disk
On some Mac OS-based computers, RAM disk contents are saved by writing to the hard disk when the computer shuts down. Then the contents are reloaded at startup. If the RAM disk is large, this may result in a delay when you shut down or start up your computer.

• Using Monitors & Sound with add-on devices
If you have a video or sound device that cannot be accessed using the Monitors & Sound control panel, use the Monitors control panel, or the Sound control panel, instead. These older control panels are installed in the Apple Extras folder on your hard disk. Unless you specifically need to use them, use the unified Monitors & Sound control panel instead.

• Drive Setup and Energy Saver
Use the Energy Saver control panel to set the hard drive sleep setting to “Never” when you use Drive Setup to perform an extended operation, such as testing the disk or initializing the disk with a low level format or zeroing all the data. This will prevent errors caused by the hard drive spinning down before Drive Setup completes its operation.

• Using MacsBug and Mac OS 8
Mac OS 8 requires MacsBug 6.5.4a3 or later. (MacsBug is a tool for software developers.) 

 

Emulating this? It could probably run under: SheepShaver