Last updated on February 23, 2024
The Apple Software Recovery CDs, a four volume set, were designed to provide users with a complete and efficient tool for disaster recovery, software installation, and maintenance. I found these CDs, in addition to Apple’s Developer CDs and Apple’s Restoration CDs, to be extremely useful for setting up my 68k Macintosh Systems and you will see them referenced in many of my guides.
NOTE: see my Macintosh Reference Documentation post for other information sources.
About
All Recovery CDs require an Apple-branded internal or external CD-ROM drive to function as a start-up device, and the following Macintosh computers cannot start up from these or any CD: 128k, 512k, 512ke, Plus, SE, SE/30, II, IIx, IIcx, and LC. (see KB16250 Important Information #2)
Apple Application Software Recovery CD September 2000
- Download: Internet Archive, Macintosh Garden, Macintosh Repository
- Contents: Most Apple-branded application software, such as AppleShare File Server, At Ease, and Language Kit software; all Apple peripheral software.
Start Up Capability: None; it is designed to install application software over an existing installation of System Software.
Requirements: System Software 7.0.1 or greater.
Apple System Software 1 Recovery CD
For Power Macintosh Systems before the G3
- Download: Macintosh Garden, Macintosh Repository
- Contents: Apple System Software (Mac OS) for all PowerPC 601, 603, and 604 based Macintosh computers and all Macintosh computers with Apple PowerPC upgrades.
- Start Up Capability: Mac OS 8.1 System Folder; supports all PowerPC 601, 603, and 604 based Macintosh computers and all Macintosh computers with Apple PowerPC upgrades.
- Requirements: Any PowerPC 601, 603, or 604 based Macintosh computer or any Macintosh computer with an Apple PowerPC upgrade; 12MB of RAM; an Apple-branded internal or external CD-ROM drive required to start up from this CD.
Apple System Software 2 Recovery CD
- Downloads: Macintosh Garden, Macintosh Repository
- Contents: Apple System Software (Mac OS) for all PowerPC G3 based Macintosh computers (including iMac) released as of May, 1999.
- Start Up Capability: Mac OS 8.6 System Folder; supports all PowerPC G3 based Macintosh computers (including iMac) introduced prior to May, 1999.
- Requirements: Any PowerPC G3-based Macintosh computer (including iMac) released as of May, 1999; 32MB of RAM; an Apple-branded internal or external CD-ROM drive required to start up from this CD.
Apple Legacy Software Recovery CD October 1999
When Apple originally released this CD they commented that “The Apple Legacy Software Recovery CD is designed as a reference release; it may be updated on a periodic basis, but will not be part of any regular CD mailing.”, I do not believe that a new version of the CD was ever released, although the Mac OS Anthology DVC has similar content for System Software.
- Downloads: Internet Archive, Macintosh Garden, Macintosh Repository
- Contents: Apple System Software (Mac OS) for all 68000 to 68040 based Macintosh computers, all Apple-branded Newton software, all Apple-branded Apple II software, and all Apple-branded Lisa software.
- Start Up Capability: Mac OS 7.6.1; supports most Macintosh systems with 68030 or 68040 processors; an Apple-branded internal or external CD-ROM drive required to start up from this CD.
- Requirements: Any 68000 to 68040 based Macintosh computer; 8MB of RAM; an Apple-branded internal or external CD-ROM drive required to start up from this CD.