PATHDocumentation > Hardware > Original Power Mac G4 Developer Note


Software Issues

Like other recent Macintosh computers, the Power Mac G4 computer uses the RAM-in-ROM approach with Open Firmware booting. Software developers should follow the recommended practices for the new approach.

System Software

The system software that comes with the Power Mac G4 computer is Mac OS 9 with extensions and control panels required for product-specific features. Features specific to the Power Mac G4 computer are described in Mac OS ROM Image File. For a general description of the Mac OS 9 release, refer to the Technote for Mac OS 9. The technote is available on the Technote website at

http://developer.apple.com/technotes/

Machine Identification

With the RAM-in-ROM system software, it is no longer possible to use the box flag to identify the computer model. For guidelines about machine identification, see Computer Identification.

Booting From External Drives

The Power Mac G4 computer can boot from a USB storage device that follows the USB Mass Storage Class specification.

Class drivers are software components that are able to communicate with many USB devices of a particular kind. If the appropriate class driver is present, any number of compliant devices can be plugged in and start working immediately without the need to install additional software. The Mac OS for the Power Mac G4 computer includes USB Mass Storage Support 2.0, a class driver that supports devices that meet the USB Mass Storage Class specification.


© 2000 Apple Computer, Inc. – (Last Updated 13 Jan 00)