macdannetwork access disk for PPC MacsApple provides a bootable floppy disk which can connect most any pre-PPC Mac to an Appleshare server through the Mac's built-in Appletalk port. Strangely though, Apple has never provided the same for PPC Macs. But it's not as though there's any technical obstacle to creating such a disk . . . For example, I made a network access disk for PBs 5300 by installing the Network Software package onto a 7.6 System tools floppy. To ensure I would have enough room, I used the minimal Finder and Chooser from the Network Access Disk. BTW, this same procedure works to build a NAD for PBs 2400/3400 as well, you just need to ensure the 2400/3400 enabler is in place as those 'Books won't boot from an original 7.6 without it. Starting with a fresh 7.6 Disk Tools (DT) floppy image, drag that image file onto Disk Copy's (DC) icon while holding down the command key. DC will launch to the save-as dialog and prompt for name and what sort of image type, choose read/write and check the 'Mount Image' box, then create the disk image. Now mount the image files Network Access Disk (NAD) and Network Software Installer (NSI) by simply double-clicking them in the Finder. Go to the desktop and open the now-mounted read/write DT floppy. Trash Drive Setup and Disk FirstAid, along with the Finder and Chooser from the System Folder. Open the mounted NAD and copy the Finder and Chooser into their appropriate places in the Disk Tool's System Folder. Open the mounted NSI volume, launch the installer and point it to the DT's System Folder. Now to make the floppy disk itself . . . The easiest way to create the actual floppy disk is to drag the modified .img file onto DC's icon while holding down the option key, that tells DC you want to make a floppy with the disk image rather than simply mount the disk image. Alternatively, in DC go to -> Utility: Make a Floppy, and point DC to the mounted DT volume as the source, then make the floppy disk. disk image sources
I'd post a copy of an already-built disk, but I'd rather not run afoul of Apple's ever-vigilant legal-eagles. In any case, it's easy enough for most anyone to do. I have built-up 7.x disks that can use a PCcard ethernet card, and for the built-in enet in PBs 3400. Most of those driver resources are pretty small, so if the basic enet capability is there it usually fits. I know I also tried this with OS 8.x disks but cannot recall if I had any luck. Using 8.1 should allow one to install an OS to an HFS+ boot volume. IIRC the 8.5 floppy didn't have enough room. back to macdan revhist 2004.01.15 - original page |