Specific Mac OS Prebuilds

GerrySch

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Mar 2, 2025
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Good Afternoon all. I have a very specific need that this forum might be able to help with. I own a Mac SE/30 and recently I've had the room at home to unpack and use it. Originally, it had a SCSI2SD but I've replaced it with a BlueSCSI Desktop with WiFi. I originally had a network card in the PDS slot but I purchased a Booster accelerator card so now the network card doesn't fit. My solution is to enable WiFi through the BlueSCSI. Also, I have a BlueSCSI external DB25 with WiFi. Side note, if an image works through an internal BlueSCSI Desktop to access the internet, will this same image also work in an BlueSCSI External DB25 without changing anything in that image?

My present issue is that I don't understand Apple's way of getting this SE/30 online using WiFi. My solution is to download and use a pre-built disk image that supports accessing the internet through the BlueSCSI. I've downloaded a lot of Mac OS System 7 and 8 images but none of them support WiFi through BlueSCSI. That surprised me as I don't think I'm asking for an exotic version of the OS. Perhaps to BlueSCSI, the hoops I have to jump through to set up WiFi in OS 7 are small and simple but it's not for me. I thought for sure the pre-built System 8.1 image would be configured to get me on-line, but I just get errors when running Netscape.

I've spoken to BlueSCSI v2 support on Discord and I'm getting all types of question about my following the instructions online. I don't understand installing Open Transport and MacTCP since I don't know what is or isn't installed in the pre-built OS image in the first place as well as matching the correct versions with the right OS. It gives me a headache. The procedure appears to me to be written for people who already knows what they are talking about, but I really don't.

So, I've said all that to simply ask if a set of Mac OS System 7 pre-built images could be made and distributed that support WiFi access through BlueSCSIs as a way to test and troubleshoot any issues if a user like me have issues. There doesn't appear to be anything wrong with my BlueSCSI emulators as the log file doesn't report any issues and it's logging into my home WiFi just fine. I've got five different OS7 and 8 images available and loaded into the SE/30 without issue. It's difficult to try and send screen pictures, and text grabs to Discord. I tried it for the first time but I don't know if my pictures and text were posted.

Anyway, I hope you consider this or if these images are already built, please send me a link to see if they work for me.

Thank you for your patience and time,
Gerry
 

eric

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There are no prebuilt images for this - the install is quite well documented in the docs for each use case and you will need to make some decisions about how your computer is setup to make this work. Much of network setup was a manual process in the late 80's and early 90's when this existed.

Lets just work through this. You'll need to decide if you're using MacTCP or OpenTransport - one or the other. As noted in the docs:
Open Transport was included by default in System 7.5.2 and later. You can install Open Transport manually on System 7.1 on Macs with a Motorola 68030 CPU or better and 5 MB of RAM. Version 1.1.2 or 1.3 of Open Transport are strongly recommended for this guide.

So "it depends" on how much RAM you have and what version of System 7 you have.

You'll also need to gather the details of your wifi network - here's a bit of a guide on how to do this https://bluescsi.com/docs/Find-Network-Info

This image will have all the files you need on it, use it in conjunction with the image you are booting off of https://mega.nz/file/J8wykBxT#-QBYCwpgP8G8MNYxKW91RW3OhIbsGpavtZM04VxNNj8

Once you've got all those details we can move on to the next steps.
 

GerrySch

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Mar 2, 2025
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Okay, I'm willing to try your approach. If I have time this evening, I'll try building a System 7.5.3 OS from scratch set to SCSI ID 0 on a new SDcard. Thinking about it, I'll build a second drive to hold all the installation software separate from the OS drive. If I have time, I'll even try to install Open Transport (OT). But, I'd like to note here that when I've installed OT before, there is no Open Transport Desk Accessory listed, only TCP or MacTCP depending upon which OS version.

I have an SE/30 with an accelerated 030 and 128 MBs of RAM. I have the parameters to get on to my wireless home network as I set it up. The Motherboard has been recapped and I tore the SE30 apart two weeks ago to inspect the analog and picture tube circuit boards. They are clean with solid, shiny solder joints with no cracks and no swollen caps while replacing the internal power supply with a brand-new, modern one. Finally, I've removed the ROM-inator II and installed Garrett's Workshop GW4402B as it has more options.

I'll update this thread and you when I'm finished with this step and include the log file. Do you want a verbose error log as well?

Thank you for your time,
Gerry
 

eric

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But, I'd like to note here that when I've installed OT before, there is no Open Transport Desk Accessory listed, only TCP or MacTCP
That is expected and documented when using OT to use the TCP/IP control panel https://bluescsi.com/docs/WiFi-DaynaPORT#using-open-transport - Make sure you skip the MacTCP section as that is not what you are using.

I'll update this thread and you when I'm finished with this step and include the log file. Do you want a verbose error log as well?
No log is required. Nothing we're doing has to do with BlueSCSI configuration - it's all MacOS networking setup.


The Open Transport section of the docs have only 4 steps, much simpler than MacTCP.
 

GerrySch

New Tinkerer
Mar 2, 2025
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Eric, just giving you an update. The last couple of days I've been off so my wife has been keeping me busy with Honey Do's. It took 3 different SDcards but I found another one that works with the BlueSCSI card. After formatting it, I installed 7.5.3 rev 2 using Basilisk II on my M1 Mac. But the file type from Basilisk II is .img. I used Disk Jockey to change it over to .hda but when I tried booting it in my SE/30, it just hangs and the "Welcome to Macintosh" banner. I've tried writing it to the SDcard using my M1 Mac or Win 10 HP laptop but I get the same freeze. I did some searching around the internet and I keep getting pointed to using Disk Jockey to convert Basilisk II .img disk images to .hda files for use with BlueSCSI. I suppose I can build the new 7.5.3 image using the SE/30 but that will take much longer.

Do you have any suggestions using Disk Jockey or some other software to make .hda drive image files work with BlueSCSI? After I get over this hump, I can try using the Procedure to get on the internet using wireless. By the way, I've included the last log which shows everything appears to be right. My new image is SCSI 2.

-------------------------------------------

Platform: BlueSCSI
FW Version: 2024.12.08-rel Dec 8 2024 22:19:03
I2C Supported
Flash chip size: 2048 kB

=== SD Card Info ===
SD card detected, exFAT volume size: 60874 MB
SD Name: SL64G, MID: 0x03, OID: 0x53 0x44

=== Global Config ===
Reading configuration from bluescsi.ini
Active configuration:

=== Finding images in / ===
== Opening /HD00_512 OpenRetroSCSI_7.0.1.hda for ID: 0 LUN: 0
---- Image ready
== Opening /HD30_512 BlueSCSI Bootstrap.hda for ID: 3 LUN: 0
---- Image ready
== Opening /NE4.hda for ID: 4 LUN: 0
---- Configuring as network based on image name
---- Image ready
== Opening /HD10_512 OpenRetroSCSI_7.1.hda for ID: 1 LUN: 0
---- Image ready
== Opening /HD20_512 MacOS 753.hda for ID: 2 LUN: 0
---- WARNING: file /HD20_512 MacOS 753.hda is fragmented, see https://github.com/BlueSCSI/BlueSCSI-v2/wiki/Image-File-Fragmentation
---- Image ready

=== ROM Drive ===
Platform supports ROM drive up to 1692 kB
---- ROM drive image not detected

=== Configured SCSI Devices ===
* ID: 0, BlockSize: 512, Type: Fixed, Quirks: Apple, Size: 512000kB
* ID: 1, BlockSize: 512, Type: Fixed, Quirks: Apple, Size: 512000kB
* ID: 2, BlockSize: 512, Type: Fixed, Quirks: Apple, Size: 1433649kB
* ID: 3, BlockSize: 512, Type: Fixed, Quirks: Apple, Size: 524336kB
* ID: 4, Type: Network, Quirks: Apple

=== Network Initialization ===
Wi-Fi MAC: 00:80:19:C1:27:36
Connecting to Wi-Fi SSID "SpectrumSetup-F16A" with WPA/WPA2 PSK

Initialization complete!
INFO: Pico Voltage: 3.258V.
Successfully connected to Wi-Fi SSID "SpectrumSetup-F16A"

-------------------------------------------
Thank you for your help,
Gerry
 

GerrySch

New Tinkerer
Mar 2, 2025
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Figured it out. I'm running a clean ROM in my SE/30. So when a new System 7 OS install is done, it needs to be patched as explained on BMOW.com. I also found a patch program on the bootable part of the new clean ROM but it didn't fix the problem. Now I'm good to start the network patching to get my SE/30 online.

Thank you,
Gerry
 
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eric

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Note that .img or .hda is meaningless really - bluescsi doesnt even check the file name extensions as there's no standards here. The difference is when you create a file in Basilisk II it creates a "raw" HFS partition, which is not what a SCSI devices is - you can drag it on top of Disk Jockey to add the SCSI driver and apple map partitions which can be used in BlueSCSI or any emulator. (Basilisk will just skip the scsi driver partition as it doesnt emulate scsi)

HTH, you're getting close now.
 

GerrySch

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Mar 2, 2025
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I know that classic Mac OSes don't use DOS extensions for filetypes, but presently, Apple's newer MacOS does use extensions for filetypes. Also, Basilisk will not recognize disk images that don't have a .img on the end of the filename and I believe BlueSCSI won't recognize disk images unless they have .hda on those files. When I searched for how to change an image file from .img to .hda, Google said to use Disk Jockey to perform the change.

Anyway, what does this mean in the DaynaPort instructions:

  1. Install the DaynaPORT 7.5.3 drivers via the provided disk image. You must mount the DaynaPORT image file on your desktop as the installer cannot be run from a subdirectory. Once the installer completes - Restart your Mac.
Are you talking about the BlueSCSI Bootstrap.hda disk image or do I need to mount another image? Prior to this, the instructions are talking about MacTCP and Open Transport so when you discuss installing DynaPORT 7.5.3 I got lost there. Also, is the order of instructions as listed on the WiFi DaynePORT wepage the order I need to follow? If not, what is the order? Following the order of instructions can be the difference between installation success and failure.


Anyway thanks for your help,
Gerry

 

eric

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I believe BlueSCSI won't recognize disk images unless they have .hda
As stated BlueSCSI does not care what extension is used as it's meaningless, though Basilisk II GUI for Mac does (for some unknown reason) only use .img, but you can just use .img for both. If you run without the GUI helper app any file name is fine.

Are you talking about the BlueSCSI Bootstrap.hda disk image or do I need to mount another image? Prior to this, the instructions are talking about MacTCP and Open Transport so when you discuss installing DynaPORT 7.5.3 I got lost there. Also, is the order of instructions as listed on the WiFi DaynePORT wepage the order I need to follow? If not, what is the order? Following the order of instructions can be the difference between installation success and failure.
The .hda image provided on that page has everything you need.
Again you can ignore MacTCP as you are not using MacTCP, you are using Open Transport, just skip over the section your not using (MacTCP)
DaynaPORT drivers are drivers outside MacOS's TCP stack and work regardless with Open Transport or MacTCP, install them for both situations.
The instructions order is top to bottom.
 

GerrySch

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Mar 2, 2025
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Okay, now new issues. I opened the BlueSCSI PicoW Setup directory and then the DaynaPORT directory and found two disk images, DaynaPORT 7.5.3-DiskCopy4.img and DiskCopy6.image. When I open the DiskCopy 4.img, it opens DiskCopy 8.0. These are the only two files inside the DaynaPORT directory. What is this? I'm getting more and more confused because your instructions and the files supplied don't match. Now do you understand why I was looking for a prebuilt BlueSCSI 7.5.3 disk image with WiFi so I would know what the correct results would lok like?

I really need help and explanations for this to make sense to me. Or else very explicit instructions with a clear description of what I should see when this is done right. Even better, a video showing the entire process but, right now, it makes no sense.

Gerry
 

eric

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These are the only two files inside the DaynaPORT directory. What is this? I'm getting more and more confused because your instructions and the files supplied don't match. Now do you understand why I was looking for a prebuilt BlueSCSI 7.5.3 disk image with WiFi so I would know what the correct results would lok like?
There are 2 because "it depends" again - what machine you have. Mounting disk images on your machine is a skill you will need to master to do anything after this setup as it's how a lot of macos software was distributed. In fact the DaynaPORT installer requires you to install it from a separate disk/image.

On the Bootstrap image look in "Stuff:Images:System 7+:" and there will be a plethora of utilities for you to mount images with. For System 7.5 in your case open "Disk Copy 6.3.3" Goto the menu at the top called "Image" click "Mount Image..." and select the Disk Copy 6 file. It will mount on your desktop.

Again you'll require this skill once you start loading any software and this bootstrap disk has almost everything you'll need.
 

GerrySch

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Mar 2, 2025
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The truth is my first Mac was an iMac G5 running OS 10.2. Prior to that my first PC was an Intel 486 with DOS/Windows 3.1 because my work required it. Prior to that my first personal PC was an Apple IIe and later, an Apple IIgs. I have experience at mounting virtual drives but I have no experience with 68K/ OS 7 Macs until buying this SE/30. So there are holes in my knowledge about this generation of Macs. I had joined an Apple II/Mac computer group in L.A. called the Original Apple Corp back in the early 1980s.

But I am surprised with what you said. I would think you want the BlueSCSI v2 to appeal to as many people as possible given how many different classic computers you support. I'm also sure that many potential customers you resolve issues with are even less familiar with the classic Macs and you have to deal with a lot of ignorance about them. So, I don't think you mean to talk down to me and make me feel stupid but that's a feeling I get from your previous email. But I need help with this BlueSCSI WiFI configuration and I still hope you can help me.

Now, in your previous email, you mentioned :Stuff:Images:System7+ which gives me the software to open those two DynaPORT disk images. So, I use Disk Copy 6.3.3 to open the 'DaynaPORT 7.5.3-DiskCopy6.image' disk image and mount this virtual disk to install DaynaPort 7.5.3. I'm sure I can do that now that you've explained what I need to do. My I suggest that you add this important step to your procedure. It's a BIG help to people like me who are not familiar with all aspects of classic Macs Ecosystem. What I did last night was go to Macintosh Garden and download DaynaPORT_Installer.img_sit but it wasn't version 7.5.3. Here's what they wrote about this software:

------------
Dayna Communications from Salt Lake City (USA) created an adapter for the serial port (before they were bought by Intel) that allows you to bring Ethernet-networking to your old Macs (e.g. 512k Mac). This is the floppy disk image of the driver for the device.

DaynaPORT_DCv4_Stuffitv1.5.sit is converted to Disk Copy v4 and compressed with StuffIt v1.5

DaynaPORTAUX.sit - A/UX drivers for DaynaPORT (Untested)

For System 6.x - System 7.0 - 7.6
-----------

I found this helpful and if you include descriptions like that, it will go a long way to help your present and future customers. I looked in the Macintosh Garden because I am trying to be proactive and learn from this experience. Not to sit around awaiting your response.

So thank you for your help and I hope we can continue to work together to help me figure this out.

Gerry
 

eric

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Hi, I'm sorry you feel that way. I'm only trying to help guide you and replying as soon as I can. I've helped many people get WiFi setup, and each time the instructions get better and more clear. The instructions are also on a wiki if you would like to make any additions or edits yourself.

I'm happy to continue to help as you have questions just reply here. Sounds like you go the driver installed so you're just about done and ready to bring that SE/30 onto the information super highway.
 

Mac84

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So, I don't think you mean to talk down to me and make me feel stupid but that's a feeling I get from your previous email. But I need help with this BlueSCSI WiFI configuration and I still hope you can help me.

Gerry,

Eric is simply pointing out that the Classic Mac OS has many quirks, and these functions are something you'll get the hang of the more you spend time with them. He is not talking down to you and has always been very giving with his free time to support others.

As you've discovered, the earlier Mac OS behaves much differently than what you are used to with Mac OS X. It requires you to do a lot of manual configuration, even opening files in a specific application (instead of a seemingly-mysteriously set default) can take an effort.

The BlueSCSI Wi-Fi functionality is a fairly new feature to the BlueSCSI. Unfortunately because of the tricky requirements from DaynaPORT's original adapter, it can be a challenging process even for the most avid vintage Mac fans to set up. Using such advance features assumes the user is already familiar with the basics of System 6 and 7.

One of the best ways to get familiar with the operating system is to simply play around and explore. In addition, ignore Google's AI-slop answers and look at period-appropriate texts and guides. I recommend the always-great Mac for Dummies series. You can find a free PDF of this series on Archive.org.
 

GerrySch

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Mar 2, 2025
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The install is not working. First, in step 2, of Using MacTCP, I dragged MacTCP from :BlueSCSI Bootstrap:BlueSCSI PicoW Setup:MacTCP Setup to :MacOS 7.5.3:System Folder:Control Panels and now when I open it, it says 'control panel "MacTCP" could not be opened, because an error of type -39 occured." When I originally dragged it over the OS complained that I was replacing MacTCP with an older version. Do I want to do this and so I did. Now this error occurs everytime I try to open MacTCP. Did a quick search with Google but nothing specific came up for error type -39.

Second, it's left out in your next step 3 that when installing DaynaPORT 7.5.3 drivers, the shift key must be held down because when you reboot, extensions must be off. I went ahead and reconstituted the DaynaPORT 7.5.3 drivers back to a 3.5 floppy. After rebooting with extensions off, Easy Install will install DaynaPORT SCSI/Link version 1.2.5 and custom install AppleTalk v58.0.0 for System 7 and select DaynaPort CommSlot, LC, PCI, SCSI/Link, si, si30, SE, etc drivers. Since the instructions don't specify a custom install, I'll use Easy Install and restart the SE/30. No errors reported.

Can't perform step 4 because MacTCP is showing the same error.

Next, Step 1, of using Open Transport, installing Open Transport. Open disk 1 to reveal the installer. Using Easy Install it will install Open Transport 1.3, AppleTalk 1.3 support and TCP/IP 1.3 and MacTCP support for all 68K Macintoshes. Why am I reinstalling MacTCP when I copied it in step 2 and configured it in step 4? Completed install without issue and rebooted. What's the discussion about OT 1.1.1 and 1.1.2? Not needed since this install goes directly to OT 1.3.

Step 2, installing DaynaPORT 7.5.3 Restarted SE/30 with extensions off, ran the installer from floppy using Easy Install. Got a warning. 'The File "Network" on MacOS 7.5.3 cannot be replaced by the installer. No installation will take place. Please move the file to another folder and try again.' I found it in the Control Panels but when I moved it to the desktop I got the same complaint. So, I copied it to another drive, deleted it and rebooted with Extensions off. Still got the same message about the Network file. I shut off my Mac but after waiting about 15 minutes and try installing from virtual floppy, I still got the same warning. So what's going on and what do I need to do different?

Thank you,
Gerry
 

GerrySch

New Tinkerer
Mar 2, 2025
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Steve, thank you for responding to my email. I don't think Eric meant to to say anything to upset me but I was left with a feeling that I needed to give feedback on but not blame. As far as trying to get my SE/30 online, this is my 4th late night trying to get this working without success. I agree I have a lot to learn about classic Macs and OSes but I'm not having any success with this. I beginning to wonder if there is something wrong with this BlueSCSI, either in the firmware or hardware. Is there any software I can run to test the BlueSCSI to confirm my present situation is only a configuration error? I also own a Zulu SCSI Pico Slim if that might help.

Well it's 2:30 AM so I'm off to bed for a few hours sleep.

Thanks again for your help and patience,
Gerry
 

Mac84

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Gerry,

I've made a fresh install HD image of Mac OS 7.5.3, it also has the DaynaPORT (SCSI driver only), StuffIt 5.5, Netscape 2.0, Joshua's Wi-Fi accessory, the MODE32 installer (must be installed if you want to use), the BlueSCSI Toolbox apps, and other utilities from the BlueSCSI Bootstrap disk image.

You can download this SE/30-aimed disk image here. ⬅️

Using the "Network Software Selector" tool (located under Apple Extras), I've set the system to use Open Transport. So you must configure your ethernet adapter (like the DaynaPORT) and IP address using the TCP/IP control panel (instead of MacTCP).

If you can't find the TCP/IP control panel, that means this setting got messed up, so please re-launch the Network Software Selector tool (as shown below) and switch it back to "Use Open Transport Networking". This selector app hides and shows the appropriate control panels depending on what you select.

I was only able to test this set up on an emulator, but assuming you have the right files in the root of your SD card (the `bluescsi.ini and `NE4.hda` files) this should help you out.

Hopefully this helps to get you in the right direction.

1743602472704.png
 
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GerrySch

New Tinkerer
Mar 2, 2025
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Thank you Steve, that's exactly what I was looking for. My only question is that I have a clean 32-bit ROM (GW4402B) so I've never needed MODE32. Will this cause any conflicts? I'm assuming it will so, as a precaution, I will take the MODE32 file out of the active path just in case. Yes, I do have all the other files (NE4.hda and bluescsi.ini) all set up and ready to go. The log file shows a successful connection to my local WiFi network. Since I set it up, I have all the IPs needed to join and use it.

I'll test it tonight and let you know. BTW, I also watch your Mac84 videos (subscribed) and enjoy them. Now I have a great reason to pay for your premium content. I always enjoy a complex teardown and repair of an SE/30.

Also, to whet your appetite, here is a training video, made by SMPTE, about the transition from SDI to switched networks in broadcast television. This is part of a "Winter Bootcamp" that my colleagues and I took to prepare us for the transition of KDFW to a new facility. We will be upgrading from SDI video to switched IP based networks to produce and deliver content. Please do not send this video to your friends and coworkers (but show it to them if they are interested, of course) because it is copyrighted SMPTE material and they would not be happy if they found it on the internet. I'm sending it to you to give you an idea of what I do with computers for the last 52 years. When I started out, USAF trained me as a maintenance engineer to do component-level repair.

Enjoy,
Gerry
 

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