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Making a Boot Disk

What is a Boot Disk? - A boot disk is a disk that contains system software to start up your computer and run the Operating System that is included in the system software.

Why do I need a boot disk? - Some Classic Macs such as the Mac 128K, Mac 512K, Mac 512Ke, and Mac Plus, must have a boot disk to run because they have no hard drive to boot from. It is also a good idea to have a boot disk around so that if your Mac crashes and you can't get it to start up for some reason, then you have another disk to boot from so that you may begin troubleshooting why it won't start up.

How do I make a Boot Disk? - That's what this page is here for! There are a few steps that you must take:

  1. Find the correct System Software for your Classic Mac
  2. Download and unstuff the System Software
  3. Copy the System Software onto a disk
  4. Test your Boot Disk

Where can I find System Software for my Classic Mac? - First, check the Specifications section of this site to see what versions of System Software your Classic Mac can run, then check the System Software section of this site to see where you can download different versions of the System Software.

Will I need special software to make a Boot Disk? - Yes, you will need software to unstuff the system software which comes in disk image form, and you will need software to copy the information in the disk image to a real disk. These are the two pieces of software you will need (listed in the order previously described):

  1. StuffIt Expander made by Aladdin
  2. Disk Copy 4.2 made by Apple Computer, Inc.

How do I copy the System Software onto a disk? - The System Software is contained in a disk image, so all you have to do is double-click on the disk image file (it should end int ".img" or ".image"). Once Disk Copy 4.2 has loaded the file, click on the "Make A Copy" button, you will then be asked to insert a disk, make sure it is an 800k disk (labeled as Double-Sided Double-Density disks). Note: On some Power Macintosh computers, Disk Copy 4.2 will tell you that it failed to copy the disk image to disk, but it usually does copy it correctly.

How do I try using the Boot Disk? - put the disk into the disk drive before you turn on the computer, then turn on your computer. It should show a happy Mac icon in the center of the screen which looks like the following:

It should then say, "Welcome to Macintosh," then continue to start up, ending by showing the Macintosh Desktop, which looks similar to the following (it may be larger and/or in color):

 
   
 

What if I can't get my Boot Disk to work? - If you can't get it to work, feel free to contact me and I'll help you get it working.