System 7 natively boots on the Mac mini G4

12 days ago

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Mac OS 9.2.2 has been running on Mac mini G4 models for nearly 8 years.
New World ROM Macs can now natively boot System 7, thanks to recent developments.
CHRP architecture, a successor to PReP, was intended to boot Mac OS but was abandoned after Steve Jobs' return.
Internal Apple development for Mac OS 7.6 to 8.0 on CHRP systems was completed but never released.
Leaked CHRP versions of Mac OS 7.6 and 8.0 enabled booting older Mac OS versions on New World ROM Macs.
A patched System Enabler allows Mac OS 7.6.1 and earlier to use the Mac OS ROM file, extending compatibility.
Rairii (Wack0) developed patched Mac OS ROM files that combine old and new features for broader compatibility.
Not all Mac models can boot older Mac OS versions; some require additional compatibility fixes.
Testing revealed that System 7.5, 7.5.3, 7.6, and 8.1 boot stably on a Mac mini G4, while others fail or are unstable.
Mac OS 9.2.2 remains the most stable and compatible version for New World ROM Macs.
Special tools and patches are required to enable older Mac OS versions to boot on newer hardware like the Mac mini G4.
Older Mac OS versions offer unique advantages, such as lower memory usage and compatibility with legacy software.
Community efforts and archived software have been crucial in enabling these advancements.

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