Disk initialization failed because the disk is defective!

[GMT3]

Hi,

I'm trying to install Mac OS 9.0.4 on 1GB disk running the following command:
./qemu-system-ppc -L pc-bios -boot d -M mac99 -m 512 -hda Disk904.img -cdrom CD904.iso

But, when initializing the disk I get error "Disk initialization failed because the disk is defective!"

Any suggestions will be appreciated...

TIA

Qemu v4.1
MacOS Mojave 10.14.6
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)

[Cat_7]

Hi,

How did you create the disk image?
Should be done like this: ./qemu-img create -f raw -o size=1G Disk904.img

Next, you might try changing the position of disk and image in your command line:
./qemu-system-ppc -L pc-bios -boot d -M mac99 -m 512 -cdrom CD904.iso -hda Disk904.img

There is a minimum version (5.2.1) for the Mac OS ROM contained on the CD image. Your 9.0.4 image should be for G4 Cube or later.

Best,
Cat_7

[GMT3]

Hi,

"Should be done like this: ./qemu-img create -f raw -o size=1G Disk904.img" Done!

"./qemu-system-ppc -L pc-bios -boot d -M mac99 -m 512 -cdrom CD904.iso -hda Disk904.img" Done!

Same error "Disk initialization failed because the disk is defective!"

I don't know how to deal with this comment (is there a steps I should follow?):
"There is a minimum version (5.2.1) for the Mac OS ROM contained on the CD image. Your 9.0.4 image should be for G4 Cube or later."

TIA

[Cat_7]

Hi,

How did you try to initialize the disk? It should be done from the Utilities/Drive Setup program.

You can see the Mac OS Rom version when you select About this computer in the Apple menu after you booted from CD image.
When the version is below 5.2.1, find an 9.04 installation image for the G4 Cube on e.g., the macintoshgarden site.

Best,
Cat_7

[GMT3]

Hi,

The OS pups up a window to initialize the disk, before launching the Finder (I tried this) and Utilities/Drive Setup program as well!

"About This Computer" shows:
Version: Mac OS 9.0.4 PowerPC Enabler 9.0.4

There is now "Mac OS Rom version"!!

TIA

[Cat_7]

Ah,

My 9.0.4 CD image for the Cube shows Version: Mac OS 9.0.4 Mac OS ROM 5.2.1
Check this page http://macintoshgarden.org/apps/mac-os- ... 3-firewire
and download the G4Cube9.0.4 cd image. It is a .toast image, so you can rename it to .iso.

Your initialization error should not happen when booting from CD image and using a completely new disk image.
A new disk image can only be initialized from the Drive Setup program after the CD has booted. This indeed seems to indicate a failed initialization. And I guess it is due to the CD image you are using.

Can you create a new disk image with the command line I gave your above and then try again while booting from that new cd image?

Best,
Cat_7

[GMT3]

Hi,

The image I'm looking for is Z-International for Arabic support!

The page you linked doesn't have G4Cube9.0.4 International CD image. (I'm downloading G4Cube9.0.4 anyway!)

Is there one around...?

TIA

[Cat_7]

Hi,

I guessed as much
Can you not at least see if the initialization error disappears? And then install additional language support later on?

Best,
Cat_7

[GMT3]

Hi,

I guessed as much
Can you not at least see if the initialization error disappears? And then install additional language support later on?

Best,
Cat_7

Sure, that's why I'm downloading.

I'll try first just to initialize the disk, if it goes right, then reboot again with the image I have and try to install!

I'll keep you posted...

TIA

[GMT3]

Hi,

It worked, and the OS does support Arabic writing but not GUI, which is fine!

One more question, I need to have another VM with 9.2.2, which CD image should I use? And how can I share files with Host?

TIA

[Cat_7]

Hi,

You can find suitable 9.2 images in the same location as I pointed to before.
Exchanging files with the host is quite easy in OSX:
You can simply mount the disk image in OSX, add files, close it, and start Qemu. Perhaps better to use a separate disk image for the exchange. Please remember the image should never be mounted in OSX when you run Qemu.

Best,
Cat_7

[GMT3]

Hi,

I searched the site that you provide, for Mac OS 9.2.2 and only found this (https://macintoshgarden.org/apps/mac-os ... mac-g4-mdd). When booting I get "No valid state has been set by load or int-program", I guess it's not bootable!

Is there another image that I can boot from?

Really appreciate your help and support.

TIA

[Cat_7]

Hi,

There is a link on that original page to all 9.1 and 9.2 images available:
https://macintoshgarden.org/apps/mac-os-922-universal

Best,
Cat_7