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Program in MacOS 9.0.4 in SheepShaver doesn't open

Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 1:43 am
by Metzger28
Hello!

I'm a bit new to this - I've run emulators for various other systems before but using SheepShaver to emulate MacOS 9.0.4 is the first I've ever run a Mac emulator.

I was hoping to use it to run some older late 1990s Mac software (mainly games), and I hear through various circles that it's fairly reliable.

The two pieces of software at issue are YootTower (SimTower sequel) and TheTower II (Japanese version) (I'm a collector :P). I made sure that the system I'm emulating is within specification for what the games require, so we should be good there.

So, I've got everything set up properly, and the system is running with the OS functioning properly, and I've mounted a few old disk images I have using the SheepShaver GUI, to install from them. The installers seemed to run fine. The applications are on the drive within the emulated system, their icons show up properly, etc., and when I launch them, the system acts as though it is going to run, and then it does...nothing.

It's as if the program attempts to launch, but doesn't.

I know this is vague, but I'm just looking to see if anyone might have any troubleshooting techniques to recommend trying, or if I should look for a different solution.

I even tried to locate a Mac machine of the appropriate age, but wasn't lucky, unfortunately, so emulating seems to be the only option.

Thanks!
Metzger

Re: Program in MacOS 9.0.4 in SheepShaver doesn't open

Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 10:19 am
by 24bit
I don´t know about the Japanese version, but Yoot Tower.toast from Macintoshgarden is running on my side with SheepShaver 2.5 for macOS Catalina.
Host is i5-2540m , macOS Mojave. Guest is MacOS 8.6.
The game was expanded from .toast to 2GB HFS+ disk image within SheepShaver.
Actually, I only opened the Sample Tokio Map and noticed it was working.
I did not really play the game.
MacOS 9.0.4 does work just the same.

Ronalds new SheepShaver builds do have some sort of graphics support, which was missing before.
If memory serves, kanjitalk755 added this feature.
https://www.emaculation.com/sheepshaver ... 200726.zip

Re: Program in MacOS 9.0.4 in SheepShaver doesn't open

Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 10:45 pm
by Metzger28
Thanks for the input - I believe I've got everything set up properly.

I'm running SheepShaver in Windows, which differs from your setup - but I can confirm everything appears to be installed correctly. I can't seem to use the file you linked me to, though, unless I'm missing something?

Metzger

Re: Program in MacOS 9.0.4 in SheepShaver doesn't open

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2020 10:02 am
by 24bit
I see.
That SheepShaver build is useless for you anyway on Windows.
I did not try the game with SheepShaver / Windows, but I´ll have a look.
Qemu PPC / OSX 9.2 seems to run the game too, but the mouse is misbehaving on my side.

The game is loading the sample file with SheepShaver / Windows 10 just the same.
SheepShaver is one of Cat_7´s latest builds available in the DL section.

Image

Re: Program in MacOS 9.0.4 in SheepShaver doesn't open

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2020 11:20 pm
by Metzger28
Interesting. Trying the new build seems to yield the same performance...it "acts" like it's going to load, does nothing. Did you use a specific build? Do I just drop that new build in the folder and use it like the others?

I'm going to reset everything and try that image from Macintoshgarden.

Well, that didn't work. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, but we have similar spec'd machines aside from our host OS. Works fine for you, doesn't work at all for me.

Also, I can't seem to get past the first step with QEMU setup as the instructions tell me to use a tool to create a blank image that doesn't exist in the download. Am I dense or am I missing something?

Re: Program in MacOS 9.0.4 in SheepShaver doesn't open

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2020 10:18 am
by 24bit
There must be a bootable MacOS 9.2 image for Qemu, I did upload some time ago.
Found it: https://www.magentacloud.de/lnk/zq4MpCru
Hope that helps.
Qemu PPC configuration is not very Macintosh like, I´ll post my Windows batch file.

What puzzles me, is that SheepShaver is just doing nothing on your side.
(I´m using the SheepShaver_01-03-2015 build from Cat_7, btw.)
Did you create a "clean" installation from a CD image?
Would you mind trying the bootable image here? https://macintoshgarden.org/apps/macos-753-emulators
As written on that page, you will need the OldWorldROM for booting System 7.5 with SheepShaver.
The game is working with 7.5.3 on my side of course.
Monitor must be set to 256 colours, but the game usually "asks" whether it may do the setting.

Edit:
This is in the batch file (nothing special, its taken from CAT_7`s build):
qemu-system-ppc-screamer.exe -L pc-bios -boot c -m 256 -M mac99 -prom-env "boot-args=-v" -prom-env "auto-boot?=true" -prom-env "vga-ndrv?=true" -drive file=c:\QemuScreamer\9.2.img,format=raw,media=disk -drive file=c:\QemuScreamer\Transport.img,format=raw,media=disk -sdl -device usb-mouse -device usb-kbd

Please note, that all settings must be written in one single line.
As you may have guessed, I´m using Cat_7´s screamer build as I want sound.
The batch file is telling Qemu to look for a boot disk "9.2.img" and a "Transport.img" both located at c:\QemuScreamer.
Obviously you will have to adjust the names according to your file names and file system structure. If you wish, you may set "-m 512" if you feel the need for more RAM. Do not choose 1024 MB RAM, because sound will be lost that way.
As Transport.img I am using a small HFS volume to be mounted with SheeShaver or Qemu to move some files the lazy way.

Re: Program in MacOS 9.0.4 in SheepShaver doesn't open

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2020 3:44 pm
by adespoton
I seem to recall that the downloads are set up so that you need to get the main official download to get the image application. It can run alongside the stripped down experimental builds; just don't mix the other files.