Hi everyone,
I recently archived some unique Mac OS for CHRP discs (Archive.org link / Macintosh Garden). I wanted to create this thread as a place to discuss these discs and anything related to them, such as people trying them out on different systems, etc.
CHRP (Common Hardware Reference Platform) was a PowerPC-based standard with hopes of supporting multiple operating systems from Apple, IBM, Solaris, Microsoft, etc - but it didn't gain wide adoption. I dive into the details of these discs and CHRP in my video here:
From what I can gather, these CDs have release candidates of Mac OS 7.6 & Mac OS 8 CHRP. They were created to support CHRP systems, but these versions were never released. My guess is this was likely due to Steve Jobs returning to Apple in September 1997 and eliminating the Mac Clone program - including any CHRP efforts.
Some info about these three CDs:
The two Mac OS 8 discs use a "ROM in RAM" set up, similar to what later Macs and Mac OS 8.5 would introduce.
It appears there aren't huge file differences between these releases and the standard retail releases, besides some drivers, the System Enablers, and ROMs, but it's still a fascinating look into what could have been.
The Outland disc has some interesting ROMs on it, especially for the pre-release Motorola CHRP systems:
Booting and Installing Experiments:
I've successfully booted and installed these discs via 68k and PowerPC emulators (using Mac ROMs). @GutBomb and @Garth Beagle also installed them on some real Macs.
I was curious to see if System 7.6 would boot on a beige G3 (as the lowest supported Mac OS is 8.1), but it gives me an error that the OS isn't compatible. However, some clever folks on the MLA posted success booting via an emulator (set as an iMac G3) and an iMac G3 (Rev C).
Sadly with my iMac (Rev A), I don't get as far. If I copy over a pre-installed 7.6 CHRP HD/System Folder to the iMac's HD (using a SATA/IDE + SSD), and copy a Mac OS ROM (from the iMac 8.1 restore CD, ROM version 1.6 - or an 8.1 installed system folder, ROM v1.1), I get the classic "This startup disk won't work with your computer. Perhaps it's my hardware configuration.
Rairri (via Mastodon) clued me in that the hard drive must be Mac OS Standard / HFS (not HFS+) but that didn't seem to make a difference on my side. Maybe it's to do with my SSD/SATA adapter. On my set up only the 1st partition of the hard drive is bootable. Although Mac OS 8.1 happily boots from an HFS disk using this set up on the iMac.
Either Mac OS 8 CHRP discs fail to boot on the iMac G3, with an error, no doubt related to the hardware it expects.
Maybe you'll have some fun with these discs or discover something new?
Maybe this could aid in some of the Mac OS on Apple Network Server fun... ?
I recently archived some unique Mac OS for CHRP discs (Archive.org link / Macintosh Garden). I wanted to create this thread as a place to discuss these discs and anything related to them, such as people trying them out on different systems, etc.
CHRP (Common Hardware Reference Platform) was a PowerPC-based standard with hopes of supporting multiple operating systems from Apple, IBM, Solaris, Microsoft, etc - but it didn't gain wide adoption. I dive into the details of these discs and CHRP in my video here:
From what I can gather, these CDs have release candidates of Mac OS 7.6 & Mac OS 8 CHRP. They were created to support CHRP systems, but these versions were never released. My guess is this was likely due to Steve Jobs returning to Apple in September 1997 and eliminating the Mac Clone program - including any CHRP efforts.
Some info about these three CDs:
- Mac OS 7.6 is dated May 23, 1997.
- It includes a System Enabler 356 for CHRP systems, it does not have a Mac OS ROM in the System Folder.
- The Read Me file mentions CHRP and some compatibility notes to be aware of, etc.
- The label on the disc says "#2 of 3" and mentions "SCSI", perhaps IDE drives were unsupported on this disc.
- The disc "Outland"1.1B3 (Mac OS 8) is dated August 20, 1997.
- It includes a Mac OS ROM in the System Folder.
- The "CHRP Extras" folder contains various drivers, a notable Release Notes doc (attached to this post for easy exploration), Motorola Cobra & Viper ROMs, a "MondoCHRP" ROM and other utilities.
- Mac OS 8 for CHRP is dated September 2, 1997.
- It includes a Mac OS ROM in the System Folder.
- Has a Mac OS Licensing extension, a Read Me, and a Tech Note PDF about modifying the name and graphics used in the "About this Computer" window.
The two Mac OS 8 discs use a "ROM in RAM" set up, similar to what later Macs and Mac OS 8.5 would introduce.
It appears there aren't huge file differences between these releases and the standard retail releases, besides some drivers, the System Enablers, and ROMs, but it's still a fascinating look into what could have been.
The Outland disc has some interesting ROMs on it, especially for the pre-release Motorola CHRP systems:
Booting and Installing Experiments:
I've successfully booted and installed these discs via 68k and PowerPC emulators (using Mac ROMs). @GutBomb and @Garth Beagle also installed them on some real Macs.
I was curious to see if System 7.6 would boot on a beige G3 (as the lowest supported Mac OS is 8.1), but it gives me an error that the OS isn't compatible. However, some clever folks on the MLA posted success booting via an emulator (set as an iMac G3) and an iMac G3 (Rev C).
Sadly with my iMac (Rev A), I don't get as far. If I copy over a pre-installed 7.6 CHRP HD/System Folder to the iMac's HD (using a SATA/IDE + SSD), and copy a Mac OS ROM (from the iMac 8.1 restore CD, ROM version 1.6 - or an 8.1 installed system folder, ROM v1.1), I get the classic "This startup disk won't work with your computer. Perhaps it's my hardware configuration.
Rairri (via Mastodon) clued me in that the hard drive must be Mac OS Standard / HFS (not HFS+) but that didn't seem to make a difference on my side. Maybe it's to do with my SSD/SATA adapter. On my set up only the 1st partition of the hard drive is bootable. Although Mac OS 8.1 happily boots from an HFS disk using this set up on the iMac.
Either Mac OS 8 CHRP discs fail to boot on the iMac G3, with an error, no doubt related to the hardware it expects.
Maybe you'll have some fun with these discs or discover something new?
Maybe this could aid in some of the Mac OS on Apple Network Server fun... ?
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