I've always thought that System 7.1.2 68k was just a derivative of System 7.1.2p. However I recently came across two different System files one designated 7.1.2 and one designated 7.1.2p, both different sizes. Apparently they are different after all? I'd say the one that simply says 7.1.2 is from a PowerPC, but it's in the System Folder for a 68k Mac that boots from it, so that can't be the case.
System 7.1.2 68k = / = System 7.1.2p?
- Thread starter Paralel
- Start date
The “P” series of 7.0 and 7.1 systems included various bits of fluff for Performa support (sorry … never a Performa fan!).
There’s some relevant documentation here, though it doesn’t reference 7.1.2p specifically: https://support.apple.com/kb/TA28741?locale=en_US
These people do have this to say about 7.1.2p specifically and which Performae it was intended to support: https://apple.fandom.com/wiki/System_7.1.2P
In general I would expect the “P” System files to be a bit bigger due to the fluff.
There’s some relevant documentation here, though it doesn’t reference 7.1.2p specifically: https://support.apple.com/kb/TA28741?locale=en_US
These people do have this to say about 7.1.2p specifically and which Performae it was intended to support: https://apple.fandom.com/wiki/System_7.1.2P
In general I would expect the “P” System files to be a bit bigger due to the fluff.
What's odd about the second link is that the "About This Macintosh" screen that is meant to demonstrate 7.1.2p actually shows shows it is 7.1.2 running on a Mac IIci:
Are there any emulators our there that will emulate a Performa or Quadra 630 specifically? The Disk Tools disk that has the 7.1.2p System file depicted in the OP refuses to boot anything I can throw at it, so I think it might be Performa or Quadra 630 specific. I can't check that theory since I don't have either of those machines on hand. So, my only choice is emulation, if possible.
I've tried that, without success. It still won't detect it as the correct machine. I have a feeling that the checks somehow go beyond ROM, or the emulators just suck.
Is there a way to check which systems a given System file will boot?
It may be that it requires use of the correct enabler file. In which case, I wonder if someone takes a PPC version of 7.1.2, adds the enabler for a Quadra 630 or Performa 63x machine, then boots said Q630, if it'll identify itself as 7.1.2p.
Good question. it has been a theory for quite some time that the 7.1.2 of the 630 was a direct derivative of the PowerPC 7.1.2 which was used at the last minute because 7.5 just wasn't ready to ship yet (I know many would argue that 7.5 wasn't ready when it was released anyway...). I don't have an x100 series PowerPC to test the theory on.