Special Report: Running Mac OS 9 on Intel Macs with SheepShaver

Tips for running OS 9 on Intel Macs with SheepShaver; COI Chubby Bunny the easiest path

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Readers are using SheepShaver, a free, open-source PowerPC emulator, to run Mac OS 9 on Intel Macs. Several have sent in reports and tips, as well as locations for downloading. Older PowerPC Macs (G3, G4, and G5) can run Mac OS X applications in an emulator-like environmental called Classic. On Intel Macs, it is easier to run Windows apps than to run OS 9.

SheepShaver, a PowerPC emulator, can also run Mac OS 9 on Windows PCs. On Monday we reported that Michael Goodine had posted a tutorial on setting up SheepShaver on how to do this. We received a number of readers responses expressing interested interest in using SheepShaver to recreate Classic on Intel Macs. Those who have used it say that set up is not easy.

David Levy has had success with a pre-configured version of SheepShaver called COI Chubby Bunny:

I run a version of SheepShaver called COI, Classic on Intel "Chubby Bunny" that can be downloaded using BitTorrent and comes preconfigured with a ROM file, requiring almost no setup. Setting up Sheepshaver can be difficult when done from scratch.

I need to run an old graphing program called Cricket Graph that was never updated for OS X.

We found the torrent for COI (Classic-On-Intel) V4.0.1 "Chubby Bunny" is also available here and here, and a number of other places. If you have trouble with these links, google "Classic on Intel Chubby Bunny". To download the torrent, you'll need a BitTorrent application such as BitTorrent for Mac or Azureus (Vuze).

If you've used SheepShaver in the COI Chubby Bunny configuration what you think.

A reader identified as Freddiemac is bullish on Sheepshaver. He sent us a link to a download with good instructions. Freddiemac also reported a problem and his workaround:

The package I downloaded with VERY CLEAR directions and with everything included can be found here: http://grazer.free.fr./webstore/various/SheepSaverPackage.zip

I had hesitated upgrading my Powerbook G4 for 5 years because I rely heavily on PageMaker. With over 15 years worth of production work in PageMaker, the transition to InDesign was not enticing, considering that the conversion process has rarely been flawless from PM to InDesign. But, a new MacBook Pro had my name on it and it called me with its siren song. I succumbed and purchased it.

Having read Michael's take on SheepShaver, I gave it a try. It is AMAZING. Speed and stability have never been an issue, so far. The one glitch is that somehow in transferring files to the SheepShaver volume REVERSES the file type and file creator on the files. So, you need a program like FileBuddy that allows you to "re-reverse" the letters, fixing both type and creator. So, for example, if a file type is supposed to be "APPL", when it is transferred over to the SheepShaver OS 9 volume, it shows up as unreadable. When opening up FileBuddy, the type is "LPPA." By reversing the letters, saving, and closing FileBuddy, all is good.

The other way of putting files on the volume is by burning a CD (not DVD) with your files, and then opening up the disc from within SheepShaver volume. You can then copy files over without having to go through the FileBuddy method.

But, I now have Pagemaker working on my Intel Mac, and all is good with the world.

Rory was not satisfied with SheepShaver

I have used SheepShaver on and off for maybe two years. There are many things that seem to make it not quite ready for prime time. I wish it was though. As it is, I find it safer for my data to work in Classic on a second ( PPC ) Mac, although that is less than optimal.

John Stills was typical as to interest we received from readers:

Continued ability to run the Classic environment as OS X moves forward on Intel chips is extremely important to me. I rely heavily on LivePicture, an orphan app from pre-OSX days. Myself along with a few hundred other photographers/ Graphics professionals continue to use LivePicture for hi-res image manipulation and compositing tasks that even the latest & greatest Photoshop/Mac hardware tools are hard pressed to equal. LivePicture continues to run reliably in the Mac Classic environment in Pre Leopard PPC systems. A stable, easily implemented emulator for the Leopard/Intel environment would be greatly appreciated and highly valued.

Daniel Clouatre:

Thank you for the update on running OS 9 on Leopard. My brother and I agree that there are several OS 9 programs that are far superior to any contemporary alternatives. Some programs are like fountain pens: some products reached a level of perfection in the past that not only probably will not be excelled, it apparently will not even be duplicated.

With adequate performance and screen appearance (clarity), we would happily keep OS 9 in the Dock.

your experiences and tips with running OS 9 on Intel Macs.

Reader finds ChubbyBunny build of SheepShaver unstable for running OS 9 on Intel Macs

Monday, October 6, 2008

Robert Douek reports that the ChubbyBunny build of SheepShaver is unstable:

I am running 10.5.5 on an Intel iMac (2007 Aluminium) and have found that the ChubbyBunny build is very unstable. I can regularly cause it to crash by opening Word 5.1 (which I need to open some really old docs created under Word 1 & 2). It reads the docs just fine, but if I try to scroll quickly with the scroll wheel, after a moment or two, the whole OS 9 environment crashes. Can't say what is the cause but if the info is helpful in developing a fix, that would be great. Thanks and good luck to whoever takes a crack at it.

Note that another reader reported that there are newer builds of SheepShaver available.

If you've used SheepShaver to run OS 9 on Intel Macs

New build of Chubby Bunny/SheepShaver package

Monday, January 5, 2009

A reader named Jon has created a new "Chubby Bunny" software package for running Mac OS 9 on Intel Macs. Chubby Bunny contains SheepShaver, the open-source PowerPC emulator that is preconfigured with a ROM file. The existing Chubby Bunny package doesn't contain the lastest build of SheepShaver. Jon's does:

I took the "Chubby Bunny" package, dropped in the latest version of SheepShaver (per emaculation.com), and made a few other tweaks to make it work properly. At least, I think it works properly. If you have anyone who's interested in testing, download it here and have a go.

If you've tested Jon's Chubby Bunny package

Tim Selander in Tokyo, Japan reports that using SheepShaver to run OS 9 on Intel Macs isn't stable enough for him:

In a nutshell, SheepShaver on my Intel iMac under OSX 10.4 works. For a short time. Then it crashes.

I've tried OS8, OS9, and a couple different ROMs, but cannot get a stable working environment. It's quite a thrill to see OS9 boot on my iMac, but like the old saw; it's not how well the bear dances, it's amazing that it dances at all.

Some apps seem to run better than others, but even with the best I don't think I've ever worked as long as an hour before SheepShaver just suddenly quits, taken all unsaved changes with it. It's not suitable for getting real work done. All the blogs and web sites recommending it as a way to get Classic on Intel hardware are doing their readers a disservice.

I've paid quite a bit to get Windows on my iMac -- the cost of Fusion and an XP license. I would pay double that, in a heartbeat, to get Classic working on Intel Macs as well as it did on PowerPC Macs. Too much old, but perfectly adequate software, to let go to waste. Not to mention the ones, like Hypercard, for which there are no adequate OSX replacements. (Ok, ok, all the Supercard and Revolution fans holler at this point. But these apps will not run my HC--built systems as is. I would rather pay $$$ to run Classic then to waste hours re-coding the many one of a kind apps my company has come to rely on.)

For now, we're running old hardware at the office.

There is another emulator called vMac that runs up to System 6. It is stable, and fast, fast, fast! Very impressive! But at a bare minimum I need System 7 apps, VGA sized monitor and color.

If you've used SheepShaver

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Advice for SheepShaver, OS 9 on Intel Macs

Friday, October 3, 2008

Michael Goodine of Emaculation.com is hosting new builds of the free open-source PowerPC emulator, SheepShaver, which can run Mac OS 9 on Intel Macs. Goodine responded to our reader reports of instability, and suggests trying the newer builds:

It's very neat to see a "special report" about SheepShaver on your site! I've noticed that the reactions are mixed regarding SheepShaver on the Intel Macs.

I haven't used the "Chubby Bunny" configuration, but as far as I can tell, it is a bit out of date. The torrents I've seen are at least 14 months old. Users who are having troubles might want to try a newer version of the emulator. There isn't any action going on the official site, but we've been posting updated builds of SheepShaver on our support forum (and not really anywhere else). The most recent (from July of this year) is over here. It includes a number of bug fixes, and also a setup manual.

ChubbyBunny might be based on the last official build, which was released back in 2006.

Gerald Raddatz was working with SheepShaver until updating from Tiger to Leopard. Now it crashes:

I was using SheepShaver with OS 9.04 along with OS 10.4.11 and had no crashes. Now that I have updated to OS 10.5.4 I too am starting to experience some crashes. Unfortunately my new macMini requires OS 10.5 although OS 10.4 server works, too, with no Sheepshaver crashes. My first impression is that it is a video problem.

If you've seen this problem

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Installing SheepShaver/Chubby Bunny for Classic apps; a few issues, no full screen

Monday, October 20, 2008

David Murray describes his experience installing Chubby Bunny, a version of SheepShaver, which lets you run Classic apps on Intel Macs. He ran into problem, worked around it, but still has three more problems:

My old iMac 800 Snowball blew up, with a loud POP and smoke out the vents! I replaced it with a 2.4G iMac with OS X 10.5.5, so I of course lost "Classic." I have one app I love, Adobe Photodeluxe, which will never be upgraded to OSX, so I have been looking for solutions, and found SheepShaver, which intimidated me, then Chubby Bunny, which didn't (much). I found a download through Rapidshare (not a Torrent) on the MacHacker site.

The install went as advertised, double-click the icon, and I put the app in Applications (original, no?). Clicked the app "COI (Classic-On-Intel) v4.0.1 "Chubby Bunny" and Bob's yer Uncle, OS 9 launched!

I had a hell-of-a-time trying to install PhotoDeluxe. Not sure why, the installer would get halfway, then stop and ask for Disk#2, and there's only one CD. I went to an old OS 9 backup disk, dragged the PD App into the OS X "Users/Shared" folder, OS 9 could see it in "Unix", so I dragged it onto the 9 desktop, and, Miribile Visu, it mounted and launched.

The PD app works as fast as it did in X "Classic," except for double-click, which is a bit slow throughout "Bunny." I'm happy, but have a couple issues:

Can't drag/drop between X and 9, don't know why, so I just go the "Unix/Shared" route.
The installer creates, and installs the OS in, a 100 MB dmg (which I can't find), and I only have 12MB free after installing PD, and throwing away superfluous stuff in the 9 system. The installer provides larger DMGs, but I can't figure how to get my system into one, could it be as simple as dragging the 9 HD icon to the larger dmg?
I tried going to "Full Screen," got a black screen, I believe this is a known issue.

Other than these, the install is dirt simple, and works well.

If you've seen these issues

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TIP: Enabling full screen for SheepShaver/Chubby Bunny

Harrie Swartjes shared a tip on editing the SheepShaver emulator to enable Mac OS 9 ("Classic") to run full-screen on Intel Macs. Readers have previously reported that full-screen mode doesn't work. Swartjes is using Chubby Bunny, a particular bundle of SheepShaver.) Swartjes said:

It may interest your readers to know that you can edit the settings of Chubby Bunny (although this of course defeats its purpose a bit).

The standard .sheepshaver_prefs file is hidden inside the package and can easily be opened with TextWrangler, using "Open Hidden...".

Inside the application package there is another package, called COI.app. Inside this package, there is a hidden file called "hih1", which is actually the preferences file.

For instance, changing the line

screen win/1024/768

to

screen dga/1024/768

will enable Full Screen.

Knowledgable users will also find the ROM file and the hard disk image here.

If you've tried this tip

For more on running Mac OS 9 on Intel Macs, see our SheepShaver Tips and Reports page.

Running Mac OS 9 apps on Intel Macs