The Macintosh IIci and Portable REQUIRES Macintosh System Software 6.0.4 or
later. Trying to boot either of these computers from versions earlier than
6.0.4 results in a dialog box that reads "This startup disk was created
with a 'Minimum' installer script and will not work on this model Macintosh.
Use a standard installer script to update the disk for different models.".
The only people who need to upgrade to 6.0.4, are those who will be using
the Macintosh IIci or the Portable. In both cases, 6.0.4 is included.
Most of the changes that occurred in 6.0.4 were required by the IIci and
Portable hardware. Some of the more significant changes to 6.0.4 include:
- The Multi-Disk Installer is introduced with 6.0.4.
- The Sound Manager was modified to use the Time Manager to provide
fixed frequency timing.
- The SysEnvirons call has been modified to support the new computers.
- Responder has been modified to recognize the new computers.
- Code to support IIci parity is included in 6.0.4.
- A new version of the Monitors cdev is included with 6.0.4 which supports
direct video modes, improved grayscale video modes, and third-party
extensibility. On the Macintosh IIci, Monitors also includes special
extensions so the sophisticated user can control the amount of
RAM dedicated to built-in video.
- The Battery DA was added so users could monitor the power level of
the Macintosh Portable battery.
- The Portable cdev is included in 6.0.4. This lets users change various
settings for the Macintosh Portable.
- CloseView 1.1 is included in 6.0.4. This version has a better interface
than 1.0.
Macintosh System Software 6.0.4 will also be included with all Macintosh models
as of the IIci introduction. This version will also be rolled into the
stand-alone Macintosh System Software package.
Those who have subscriptions to the Macintosh System Software update service
will also receive 6.0.4.