E-Maculation

Hi,

The status of running various guests is recorded here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... edit#gid=0
See the next post for some experimental builds (including sound-enabled builds).

14-08-2025
Qemu-system-ppc_macOS-withGUI.zip. (Apple Silicon only!)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ppKfYT ... sp=sharing
Note: First build to contain a GUI, but qemu-system-ppc can also run without it. Read the readme, then run RunMeFirst, then start the GUI.
(Thanks go out to emendelson!)


Read our guide: http://www.emaculation.com/doku.php/ppc ... mu-for-osx
Note: All build as of 29-12-2024 contain the options to use a table-style mouse and shared folder with the host. See the readme included in the download. These are not error free, but Qemu can be run without them.

05-01-2025
Qemu-system-ppc-macOS-universal-05-01-2024.zip
https://surfdrive.surf.nl/files/index.p ... VgHkipIPZ8

29-12-2024
Qemu-system-ppc-macOS-Intel-29-12-2024.zip
https://surfdrive.surf.nl/files/index.p ... TvcICiI6RN
Note: Built for Intel CPU/runs in Rosetta

24-04-2024
Qemu-system-ppc-9.0-macOS-Intel-24-04-2024.zip
https://surfdrive.surf.nl/files/index.p ... 6vmbB5XCn6
Note: Built for Intel CPU/runs in Rosetta

20-12-2023
Qemu-system-ppc-8.2-macOS-Intel-20-12-2023.zip
https://surfdrive.surf.nl/files/index.p ... y13aspKGfR
Note: Built for Intel CPU/runs in Rosetta

Cumulative fixes and enhancements:
Fixes:
-Fixes issue when switching colour depths.

Enhancements:
-Include the option to use a tablet-style mouse (Mac OS 9.x only) and access to a local folder.
-Qemu can now run with either cocoa, sdl or gtk graphical interface. It is required to set -display to either "cocoa" or "sdl" (without the quotes) on your command line.
-Qemu now adds VMNet networking functionality on Big Sur, Monterey and newer hosts. This can provide full access to the host network, replacing the non-functional tap networking on these hosts. Example command line addition: -device sungem,netdev=network01 -netdev vmnet-bridged,id=network01,ifname=name-of-the-host-network-device
-Supports a serial connection over USB. For Mac OS 9.x a FTDI driver is needed from: https://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm (download the 1.0f4 version)
In the qemu.command file add -device usb-serial,chardev=cons -chardev console,id=cons (id can be anything, but id= and chardev= have to match)

Note: Earlier builds are no longer available:

Best,
Cat_7

Experimental builds. Be warned!

18-06-2026
Qemu-system-ppc-macOS-Experimental-18-06-2026.zip
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pIQHWA ... sp=sharing
-Built on M1 with Tahoe.
-Arm only!
-Improved USB Audio for Mac OS 9 and OSX, now also supports Audio in. In e.g. the Mac OS 9 Sound Control Panel select the External Mic (USB audio)
-Midi support through the QEMU MIDI Bridge python application. Mac OS 9 requires OMS configured for serial port.
(see the included qemu-ppc.command file for command line arguments).
(source code included)

23-02-2026
Qemu-system-ppc-macOS-Experimental-23-02-2026.zip
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ua1Ldo ... sp=sharing
-Built on M1 with Tahoe.
-Arm only!
-PowerMac model changed to PowerMac3,3 (was PowerMac3,1)
-Improved SMP support: runs Mac OS 9.x up to OSX 10.3 with 2 cpus, OSX 10.4 and 10.5 with 4 cpus. Runs Linux with 4 cpus.
-Improved USB Audio support: in the guest OS always make sure to run the latest QuickTime, iTunes supported
-Supports the Sungem/GMAC network device as found in PowerMac3,3: use parameter -device sungem,netdev=network01,mac=52:54:00:12:34:56,phy_type=1 to enable it.
-Supports the BMac network device for the g3beige machine: allows OSX Server 1.2.v3 to have network access. (Server kernel needs patch due to 32 bit overflow.)
-Supports mac99,via=pmu for all Mac OS and Mac OS X guests (USB is very timing dependent, so your mileage may vary. Sometime a new boot helps)
-Improved shared folder functionality for Mac OS 9.x


21-02-2026
Qemu-system-ppc-macOS-Experimental-21-02-2026.zip
https://drive.google.com/file/d/14AaRt8 ... sp=sharing
-Built on M1 with Tahoe.
-Arm only!
-Improved shared folder functionality for Mac OS 9.x
-With USB audio support
-Fixes aliases and programs copied to and from the shared folder.
All changed source files included

18-02-2026
Qemu-system-ppc-macOS-Experimental-18-02-2026.zip
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vlUhox ... sp=sharing
-Built on M1 with Tahoe.
-Arm only!
-Improved shared folder functionality for Mac OS 9.x
-With USB audio support
All changed source files included

08-02-2026
Qemu-system-ppc-macOS-Experimental-08-02-2026.zip
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1I6TSAT ... sp=sharing
-Built on M1 with Tahoe.
-Arm only!
-PowerMac model changed to PowerMac3,3 (was PowerMac3,1)
-Improved SMP support: runs Mac OS 9.x up to OSX 10.3 with 2 cpus, OSX 10.4 and 10.5 with 4 cpus. Runs Linux with 4 cpus.
-Improved USB Audio support: in the guest OS always make sure to run the latest QuickTime, iTunes supported
-Supports the Sungem/GMAC network device as found in PowerMac3,3: use parameter -device sungem,netdev=network01,mac=52:54:00:12:34:56,phy_type=1 to enable it.
-Supports the BMac network device for the g3beige machine: allows OSX Server 1.2.v3 to have network access (very timing dependent)
-Supports mac99,via=pmu for all Mac OS and Mac OS X guests (USB is very timing dependent, so your mileage may vary. Sometime a new boot helps)
Credits go to Zoltan (https://qmiga.codeberg.page/), JD and Andrew (and me). All changed source files included.

15-04-2025
Qemu-system-ppc64-smp-universal-experimental-15-04-2025
https://surfdrive.surf.nl/files/index.p ... lH1UbOrijm
This contains experimental qemu and openbios builds that enable dual cpu support. Read the readme.
The patches applied to the qemu and openbios source are included, but support is not!
Note: will not run with model g3beige, will not run Linux, will only run with mac99,via=pmu and cpu g4
Note: Mac OS 9.x hangs after some time. Only Mac OS X 10.4 can run with -smp 4, others with -smp 2.
Credits go to Zoltan (https://qmiga.codeberg.page/), JD and Andrew.

Note: For all sound-enabled builds: When running Mac OS 9.x do not set memory to 1024Mb or higher, or else sound will break. Do not turn off Virtual Memory.
Make sure you always have the latest QuickTime and iTunes installed for your guest OS.
Note: If you encounter crashes in the Apple Audio Extension, start Mac OS without extensions and use the extension manager to disable the Apple Audio Extension.

Note: All builds as of 29-12-2024 contain the options to use a table style mouse and shared folder with the host. See the readme included in the download. These are not error free, but Qemu can be run without them.

05-01-2025
Qemu-system-ppc-screamer-macOS-universal-05-01-2025.zip
https://surfdrive.surf.nl/files/index.p ... gnXT4O4LgP
Note: slirp networking might not work: this seems a bug. If an option for you, set ipv6 to link-local-only to enable the slirp connection.
Be sure to read the command line options for file sharing and tablet driver in the readme and from this post: viewtopic.php?t=11973

20-01-2024 Qemu-system-ppc 8.2 for macOS with sound and virtio support
https://surfdrive.surf.nl/files/index.p ... fRtUwaHtGk
Check any particular needs for the command line in the table at: http://www.emaculation.com/doku.php/ppc ... mu-for-osx
Note: The virtio options only work with Mac OS 9.x guests.
Be sure to read the command line options for file sharing and tablet driver from this post: viewtopic.php?t=11973

20-01-2024 Qemu-system-ppc 8.2 for macOS with sound support
https://surfdrive.surf.nl/files/index.p ... DctRVJLxsP
Check any particular needs for the command line in the table at: http://www.emaculation.com/doku.php/ppc ... mu-for-osx

29-05-2022 Qemu-system-ppc-7.1 for macOS with sound support, 60Hz screen refresh and FPU speedup
Qemu-system-ppc-macOS-7.1-pre-screamer-60hz-fpu-29-05-2022
https://surfdrive.surf.nl/files/index.p ... 6m1a3K44BK
Built on Monterey, also runs on Big Sur. Best to put in the Applications folder.

Thank you very much cat_7, it's looking great so far.

Just a couple things: in Windows instructions - startqemu.bat, one of the parameters is to load openbios-ppc-pcifix as the BIOS, but the one linked to download is just openbios-ppc. I changed the command to open the bundled openbios-ppc (new version from your second forum post), which resolved a QEMU crash and brought up OpenBIOS then the boot screen. You might want to edit the command line to prevent it happening to everyone.

Secondly, by running this (on OS X 10.4) I get the boot screen, with the logo and spinning wheel, but it stops spinning after about 10mins. I tried to enable verbose mode but I'm not getting it to do so (-prom-env 'boot-args=-v' seems consistent with OS X instructions, but not Windows). How do I enable verbose mode from here? I believe that perhaps the problem could be that there IS a ppc-pcifix version which you may have needed to bundle instead of the ppc version.

I'll keep waiting to see if it's just taking forever to load, and I'll keep trying to get to verbose mode running. I also may try 10.3 tomorrow. Thanks again for the astounding work

Hi,

Thanks for reporting back.

one of the parameters is to load openbios-ppc-pcifix as the BIOS

I updated the guide to reflect the need to rename the file or edit the windows batchfile to point to the correct file name.

prom-env 'boot-args=-v' seems consistent with OS X instructions, but not Windows

So it seems. Replacing all quotes with " instead of ' will allow providing arguments. Fixed in the guide.

the problem could be that there IS a ppc-pcifix version

No there isn't. The latest bios file cumulatively adds all previous fixes.

Overall, the windows version is much slower compared to the OSX version and has the nasty habit of losing mouse control. I'll check the 10.4 installation issue.
Please note that the windows versions are created whenever there is a new official qemu release. The OSX versions are created when promising new developments are available. This leads to OSX versions probably having more/better functionality when compared to the windows versions.

EDIT: quotes fixed when providing arguments in Windows version. Windows version boots 10.4 CD image perfectly!

Best,
Cat_7

Alright, thanks. It looks like most of these things can be avoided by using OS X instead, so I'll proceed to do so.

Edit: OS X 10.4 didn't like QEMU on OS X, so it may have been a faulty image I was using in the first place. 10.3 installed fine using QEMU on OS X, but not on Windows - lost mouse cursor through installation menus. Workaround: installed on QEMU for OS X, then moved image to QEMU for Windows. Works a charm.

Making a couple optimisations - screen size is flexible, as is RAM, no problems increasing those. I'm now looking into possibly enabling audio, or even video(!) but I'll need to look into whether PowerPC kexts even exist for any available emulated devices QEMU provides.

Super happy with the outcome so far. Thanks again Cat_7.

Set up this QEMU distribution in OSX 10.10.5 for installing Mac OS X 10.3.

I used Disk Utility in OSX to create disk images from the three Mac OS X 10.3 install disks in DVD/CD Master (.cdr) format.

I used qemu-img to create a 6G raw disk image for the installation target volume.

First installer image is named "10.3InstallDisc1.cdr"
Target volume image is named "Qemu10.3HD.dsk"

qemu.command: When I start qemu.command, I get the QEMU window and in it: Something wrong with the CD image?

Please take great care not to have additional line endings in your command file.
Did you create the image from your own disks?

Best,
Cat_7

The whole command is in one line, no additional line endings.

I created the images from my own install disks. They are regular retail install disks.

This time it works.

What did I do different?
For creating the CD image in OSX Disk Utility: The first time I selected the CD volume in the left column in Disk Utility (as I normally do) but this time I selected the CD drive.

I will report back when I did the 10.3 installation in QEMU.

Did a default 10.3 installation from install disks 1 and 2.

The 6GB image I created with qemu-img wouldn't work. I could partition it with Disk Utility on the install disk, but the installer labeled it with a red exclamation mark as not suitable for installation. No change after re-partitioning.

I tried various images created with Disk Utility on the 10.10.5 host OSX. The only ones that worked consistently as target volume were created with "Hard disk" as value for Partitions:

Name: QEMU10.3HD
Size: Custom... (6 GB)
Format: Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
Encryption: none
Partitions: Hard disk
Image Format: read/write disk image

But now another problem.

After completing the installation by configuring the new installed system and an account, I looked at my 10.3 Desktop and everything seemed OK. I shut down the emulated machine and went shopping.

Started again QEMU but now startup is stuck at the grey screen with Apple logo.

Installed 10.3 again. This time I left out all software that I will not use. Again everything looks OK after installation and setup. But after shutting down the emulated machine, again a new startup gets stuck at the grey screen with Apple logo.



Edit: Oops
Sorry, startup does not get stuck. It stays longer at the grey screen than I expected.

Internet connection works, but apparently Apply does not provide software updates for 10.3 anymore.

You can download the Combo update from https://support.apple.com/kb/DL496?locale=en_US manually. I'm not sure whether that includes the 'latest' security update though.

Disk image creation updated in the guide.

Thanks,
Cat_7

There are a few security updates later than the combo update -- they're all available from the support downloads site: https://support.apple.com/en_US/downloads/10.3

Installing the combo-update proceeded fine. Now running 10.3.9.

The emulator is slow, but usable. With file sharing enabled on the host, I can access files and folders on the host from within the emulator. Will probably work also with other computers in my home network, didn't try yet. With 10.3 drivers for my Canon printer installed, I could probably print to that printer on my network. Didn't try that yet either.

Issues so far:

1. No sound (known, I suppose)

2. I accidentally chose sleep (instead of shut down) from the Apple menu and the emulator froze. No mouse cursor, no reaction on any key press.

3. For mounting CD images ("change ide1-cd0" from the Machine menu), the Open dialog only allows choosing .iso files. It should also allow choosing .cdr files.
(A .cdr file entered in the command as CD file works fine, and when I change the .cdr extension to .iso the file can be used for mounting from the Machine menu.)

I followed the guide, installed 10.4 and updated to 10.4.11. Had a lot of trouble with various cdr and iso images from the net until I ripped my own retail Tiger DVD and installed from there.
I lost network after update to 10.4.11.

What bothers me the most is the long wait at boot. Apple is displayed for 1-2 minutes and then boot proceeds (verbose). Also the "a" key is "pressed" when switching from host (10.10.5) and QEMU.

To sum up, for me it's usable and working but slow.

Hi,

Thank you for the feedback. Emulation is indeed slow, and loosing network support after updating to 10.4.11 is a known issue.

Best,
Cat_7

Ronald P. Regensburg wrote: 3. For mounting CD images ("change ide1-cd0" from the Machine menu), the Open dialog only allows choosing .iso files. It should also allow choosing .cdr files.
(A .cdr file entered in the command as CD file works fine, and when I change the .cdr extension to .iso the file can be used for mounting from the Machine menu.)

I just fixed this problem today. Now you should be able to open .cdr files.

Here is the patch: https://lists.nongnu.org/archive/html/q ... 06761.html

These are really amazing proceedings!
Thanks Cat_7 for providing the self contained package, saving me from the dependency hell.
Thanks Ronald for posting your experience with the HD image.
Last not least thanks to all developers and contributors making this happen, I would not have believed this until seeing it with my own eyes.

I´m installing 10.3 from ISO images on a 10.10.5 C2D host right now.
Installing from ISO 1 works fine so far, but after changing boot volume to "c" it looks like nothing is happening - yellow screen for some time, than black screen endlessly.

Edit:
After removing the CD image from qemu.command it boots! Obviously I have missed that in the guide.

Now, could someone please enlighten me how to set up a shared folder?
/Classic would be my shared folder on the host, in case that matters.
Thanks again!

Thanks Cat_7 for your precompiled qemu for OSX. I always been able to install Mac OS 10.3 from the Mac OSX 10.3 Install Disc1 but not with the last compile qemu_2.7-rc0-OSX from 23juli. I got so far that I can select language but then the mouse and keyboard disappears and the only thing to do is close qemu from the outside. With the emu_2.7-pre-OSX precompile from 15juli everything works OK. Maybe everything will be good in RC1. (I work on an Macbook 2010 with OSX10.11.5).

I noticed in the new topic http://www.emaculation.com/forum/viewto ... =34&t=9005 that I have to spec -cpu G3 in the command line with the latest QEMU because it default to G4. So now I'm happy with no problems with MacOSX 10.3 installation.

I'm trying to get Mac OS 9.1 running using the guide.
I'm using the Qemu 2.7-rc0 package linked in the guide and a german Mac OS 9.1 image.
When I double click it, I get an error saying it's and old image and needs to be converted

Trying to use that image in qemu with "file=D693-2581.img,format=raw,media=cdrom" gives me this:



Then I converted the image using Disk Utility using the read only option, this gave me a .dmg file
trying to use that with the same parameters gives me this:



Do I need a different image file?


Host is Mac OS X 10.11.6
qemu.command:

You command line seems OK.

Please note that you need to put the disk or cdrom entry you want to boot from as first entry in the parameter list and also adjust the boot "c" or "d" setting accordingly.

I would assume your images are not OK. Why don't you try first with some sure to work images?
Look for 9.1 or 9.22 in the macintosh garden

Best,
Cat_7