In the past, when Apple has come out with new computers Apple has also revised the system software so it knows how to start up these new computers. Revising the whole system software, however, is a very time-consuming process, and Apple has been releasing new computers much more rapidly than it did in the past.
The solution to this dilemma is the System Enabler file. A System Enabler contains everything that is needed to boot a new computer (or computers). All of the computers that have come out since system software 7.1 was completed (September '92) require a System Enabler to start up. Here is the current list:
These files are required for their respective machines, and they should be put at the root level of the System Folder along with the System and Finder.
In addition to the System Enabler, some of the new computers also have new or revised Control Panels, Apple Menu Items, Extensions or Fonts associated with them.
WHY AREN'T THE LOCALIZED PERFORMA ENABLERS ON THE DISC?
The Performa Enablers should only be used with the full Performa System software.
WHERE CAN YOU FIND THE SYSTEM ENABLER FILES?
All versions for a specific computer
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On your CD, there is a folder within the "System Software" folder called "System Enablers." It contains a set of folders at the outer level; each contains CPU software from a particular time period.
Within these two general categories, there is a folder for each specific computer. Then, at the next level down, there is a set of country folders, one for each country that has localized the software for that particular computer. The country folders contain all of that country's localized software (including new Control Panels, Extensions, etc) for the specific computer.
All versions for a specific country
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On your CD, there is a folder within the "System Software" folder called "WorldWide System Software." Inside this folder you will find a folder for each country that has localized system software available.
Within each country folder, there is a folder for the System Enablers (for example, "British-System Enablers). That folder contains aliases to localized software for that country for all of the computers that require System Enablers.
EXAMPLE •Installing over the running System Folder on a System Enabler machine•
Suppose you want to create a "complete" localized System Folder that will start up every computer for that country, and you are installing over a running System folder on one of the machines that requires a System Enabler.
1) Use the aliases in the "System Software:WorldWide System Software: <country name>"
folder to open all of the folders for the specific computers for that country.
2) For each of the computers, drag System Enabler into the running System folder that you
are about to install over.
3) Go to that country's folder on the path "System Software:WorldWide System
Software: <country name>"
4) Use the Net Installs folder to install that country's system software 7.1 over the
running System folder. You MUST use the Custom option "Full Install for Any Macintosh,"
to ensure the System folder will boot properly, since you do not have the option to
install for the specific System Enabler CPU.
5) For each of the computers, drag the contents of "-Drag to System Folder" (other than the
System Enabler which was taken care of in Step 2) into the running System folder.
6) Restart the machine.
EXAMPLE •Installing onto an external hard disk•
If you are installing onto an external hard disk, then you can do the steps above in a different order. Suppose you wish to create, on an external hard disk that does not contain a currently running System folder, a localized System Folder that will start up every computer.
1) Go to that country's folder on the path "System Software:WorldWide System
Software: <country name>"
2) Use the Net Installs folder to install that country's system software 7.1 onto the
external hard disk. You MUST use the Custom option "Full Install for Any Macintosh,"
to ensure the System folder will boot properly for all CPUs.
• NOTE: If you had a blessed System on that hard disk, this step will install over it.
3) Use the aliases in the "System Software:WorldWide System Software: <country name>"
folder to open all of the folders for the specific computers you want the System Folder
to start up.
4) Drag the contents of "-Drag to System Folder" into the System Folder that you
net-installed in step 2).
Note: Some files are duplicates, and you can replace the ones already there.
NOTES
• A System Enabler is required for the computers mentioned above. The System Folder will not work on those computers otherwise.
• The other files (new Control Panels, Extensions, etc) are not required files to start up the computer, but contain bug fixes or new pieces of functionality and they should be included in a System Folder for that computer
• If you ever get an error message saying that "System x.x is not the correct version for this Macintosh," you may not have the System Enabler for that machine in the System Folder.
