[clayc102]

OKay! Here is another "I'm new to this" question. But, I am new to this. I just acquired 3 LC580's from a local school that had been stroing them for some time. They all work. There is an OS on them (I think OS 7.5) but there is a lot of other junk too, some of the software (files and other) has been deleted, and it looks like a general mess. Here is the real question,
How do I clean out the HDD and reinstall OS7.x.x? I have DL'd 7.5.3 and all other updates from Apple, but what to do? I have used PC's for 10 years without ever touching a Mac. Install Windows? No problem! That is common knowledge for MS users.
Are there any GOOD sources of info for Mac? I have found lots of web pages that talk about them, but nothing holds up to the amount of knowledge available for Windows. Tweaks, Tips, How-to's, customization and more.
I am looking for a way to do a clean install OS 7.x on my LC580. I want to wipe the HDD and start fresh. Remember, I only have PC experience so far.
Also, Can I make a CD to install the OS from?
Thanks
clayc102

[jcmount]

According to MacTracker OS 8.1

If you've got the disks format the drive and install the OS.
Accelerate Your Mac

[clayc102]

Okay, let me make this very clear. I know nothing about a Mac. Format the HDD? How? Install the OS? How? Also, I am not sure what to do with these disks I have. As stated in my first post, I downloaded 7.5 and the updates. Now what?
Anybody out there know?
clayc102

[albloom]

OK, step by step:
I assume you've downloaded 8 disk images for 7.5:
1 Disk Tools image
7 Install images
Get a bunch of 1.4mb floppy disks (8 at least)
Launch the Disk Copy app (probably in utilities folder of HD)
One by one, read an image and copy it to floppy. I think
you can just drag an image to DC's window then click
the button to make a floppy copy.
When you have the 8 floppies:
Boot the Mac with the Disk Tools floppy.
Launch Apple HD SC Setup and format the HD.
Boot the Mac with the Install-1 floppy and install.
You might want to copy the 7.5 updates to floppy before
you erase the HD. Or you can download them again later.
You don't need a "boot CD" for OS7.5. As you'll note, the
Disk Tools floppy is a boot disk. With Disk First Aid (a
primitive diagnosis/repair utility) as well a HD Setup.
Things were simpler (and smaller) in those days.
Hope this helps.

[clayc102]

albloom, Thank you very much /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif. That is the info I am looking for. So, it is pretty much like installing Windows, in a way. I just needed to know where to start. I will be trying this tonight. I have downloaded many different disks and updates. I'll see what I have tonight.
Again, THANK YOU!
clayc102

[clayc102]

Okay, this may be getting old to everyone, but I am in need of real help here. I have downloaded every downloadable .bin, .hqx file available. Here is the problem, when I try to open anything in the Mac, it wants to open with a program called "The Accelerated Reader" (remember, it came from a school) No matter what I do, it trys to open with that program. This is why I need to start fresh. I can not get anything to work right because of this stuff. How can I get my OS 7.5.3 files from my WinXP Pro PC to this old Mac?

[Reboot]

In reply to:

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How can I get my OS 7.5.3 files from my WinXP Pro PC to this old Mac?

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I was following you till this point. Do you already have the disk images you downloaded on the Mac and can't open them, or do you still have them on the XP machine? Burn the files to a CD and hope the LC's have FileExchange enabled to read the PC discs. Or you'll have to get the files to a Mac that has CD burner and burn a Mac CD.

[clayc102]

Okay, I have actually been able to burn them to CD on my XP machine and read them on the Mac. When I go to open them is when I have the trouble. I have the files on the CD now and it read fine in the Mac. Now what? I am having loads of trouble with getting this to do anything. Any ides?

[Reboot]

Drag them from the CD to the desktop to copy them. You can eject the CD.
Double click the files, what exactly happens?
If they're sit bin or hqx files you need Stuffit Expander to open/decompress them down to img (disk image) files. Do a Find, Apple-F and search for Expander, drop the sit bin or hqx files on expander if double click won't open.
If they're img files use Disk Copy, double click should open Disk Copy or you can search for it and drop them on it.
If you have any problems give some details on the errors and what steps you took, rather than something like "it didn't work". /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
If you do get the floppies made for the install you do know if you wipe the drives rather than just installing a fresh system you won't have all the applications that came on them. The Operating System disks install just the basics to boot the machine. In other words you'll have a running machine but no applications other than SimpleText to run on them.

[clayc102]

Okay. I drug the files from the CD to the Desktop. It told me that it would put them on the system disk and it would appear on the desktop. I said ok. When I double click the file (System7.5.301of19.smi.bin) a program called "Accelerated Reading" (a school reading prog) starts to open, then it gives and error saying it can not open the file.
When I search (Apple+F) for Expander I get no results. I tried downloading a copy of it but again, try to move it to the Mac on CD, that stupid program opens. I have I guess nearly everything that can be downloaded for this thing but it is all on my XP machine and now on CD, which will read in the Mac. I can drag and drop from it.
Is there an .exe type program that will work without install that might help me get this thing straightened out?
I really want to get these things going good. I am thinking about donating them to the local Boys and Girls Club if I can get them working right. I just want them for accessing the internet, word proccessing, and things like that. They could really use something like that at our local club. Thay have a few, but not enough. I know they are old but they do work great for that.

[Reboot]

I was afraid of that. You need StuffitExpander to unstuff the StuffitExpander you downloaded. Catch 22. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
If you know someone else with a Mac you'll need to take the installer to there unstuff it, get it to CD and back to the LC.
I think if you request Stuffit will mail a CD to you also.

[Reboot]

There used to be an old fix for this I just remembered. I forget which browser, maybe Interent Explorer, if you set it to automatically process downloaded files in the Preferences it has a built in Expander.
Also if you can find an old Netscape Communicator 4.x installer it installs Stuffit Expander.
You can get Stuffit Expander for the PC but I don't know if the files will unstuff okay. The resource fork may get lost. That's one reason the files are bin and sit and hqx, to preserve the resource fork for Macs. It's worth a try though to unstuff on the PC, the only bad thing is it won't work. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif I think if the PC has an unzipping program it may work.

[Bellidancer]

I have a different route. I would go back to the school and try to beg or borrow a Mac OS 8.1 CD. System 8.1 is superior to 7.5. Having a CD would greatly ease this process. The key to simplifying the process is booting from a cd with the install program on it. For one thing, you can not reformat the boot drive.
1. Boot from the CD by starting the computer and holding down the "c" key.
2. When the computer finishes starting up you can reformat the hd drive if you wish by running the "Drive Setup" application in the Utilities Folder.
3. Click on the "Install Mac OS 8.1" icon on the cd.
4. Follow the instructions.
5. Done
Finding the 8.1 cd is the problem. I'm a Technology Coordinator for a school district, so I 've got the Mac 8.1 CD, in fact, I have the original install CD (7.5) that came with the LC 580. However, copying the cd doesn't not result in a bootable cd and I don't have an extra or I'd offer to loan a cd. Best bet would be to try to find a technology coordinator at the school who has some old cds.

[Reboot]

In reply to:

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I have a different route. I would go back to the school and try to beg or borrow a Mac OS 8.1 CD.

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I like your style. That would work. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif