Mac OS 8.1: Mac OS Extended Format and Performas

The software included with Performa computers was tested with the version of system software orignally included on the hard disk and the Performa Restore CD. If the system software is upgraded beyond what is included on the CD (such as upgrading from System 7.5.x to Mac OS 8.1), some of the Performa bundled software may not be compatibile. Performa users should check with the respective developers of the bundled Performa software for the latest compatibility information with Mac OS.

Mac OS 8.1 is supported on 68040 or PowerPC processor-based Mac OS-compatible systems; 68030-based systems with PowerPC upgrade cards are not supported. The computer must also have at least 12 megabytes of physical RAM, with virtual memory set to at least 20 megabytes.

Below is an example of the steps one could take to update a Performa 6300CD to Mac OS 8.1 using the Mac OS Extended Format feature. You may have to modify these steps slightly depending on the Performa computer and configuration you are using.

Configuration

• Performa 6300CD with 12 MB of RAM (8 MB of RAM will not work)
• Performa 6300CD Macintosh Performa CD (system software 7.5.1)
• Mac OS 8.1 CD
• Mac OS 8.1 PPC Disk Tools diskette (available from Apple Software Updates sites)

Steps to install the Performa 6300CD Bundle with Mac OS 8.1 and Mac OS Extended Format

1. Back up any information from the Performa's internal hard drive that needs to be saved, because these steps include reinitializing the internal hard disk.

2. Start up the computer and put the Performa Restoration CD in the drive.

3. Restart the computer and boot from Mac OS 8.1 Disk Tools diskette, while leaving the Performa CD in the CD-ROM drive. This will allow the CD to appear after booting from the Disk Tools diskette.

4. After starting up from the Disk Tools diskette, you should also see the Performa Restoration CD.

5. Launch Drive Setup Lite from the Disk Tools diskette and initialize the internal hard disk as a Mac OS Extended volume.

6. Open the "Hard Disk Files" folder on the Performa CD.

7. Drag all folders to the internal hard disk which has just been initialized.

8. Once the copy has been completed, change the name of the folders you just copied to remove the word "Files". For example, "System Folder Files" should be renamed to "System Folder", "Applications Files" should be renamed "Applications", and so on. This System Folder is system software 7.5.1.

9. Eject the Performa CD.

10. Insert the Mac OS 8.1 CD.

11. Run the Mac OS 8.1 installer to update the System Folder on the internal hard disk. (We only custom installed Mac OS 8.1)

12. After updating the System Folder to Mac OS 8.1, open the new System Folder on the hard disk and remove the extension named "Screen Posters" if it is present. (On our test computer, we experienced an "Unimplemented Instruction" error if this extension loads at startup.)

13. Restart the computer, eject the Mac OS 8.1 CD and remove the Disk Tools diskette.

14. The computer should now start up with Mac OS 8.1 with Mac OS Extended volume support.

Important Note: Some software that was included with your original Performa may not be compatible with Mac OS 8.1 or Mac OS Extended Format. Please check with the respective developer of the software for the latest versions and compatibility.

This article can help you locate the software update mentioned here:

• Article 14724: "Where To Find Apple Software Updates" - Lists online services for free Apple software updates.