Selecting your System Software for your 68k Macintosh

As I mentioned in my Setting up your vintage (classic) 68k Macintosh not every Macintosh System can run every OS, for example System 7.5.5 was the last version to support the original Macintosh Systems with their Motorola 68000 (68k) processors, 7.6 required Systems with a 68030 and 32bit clean ROMs, with support for 68k processors ending with System 8.1. I also include some information about PPC systems, but my main focus for this page is 68k systems.

To help myself in the future I’ve put together some Macintosh System Compatibility Tables so I know which systems support which versions (with links to any required the System Enablers for OS 7.x). Information from Apple’s Knowledge Base articles:

• System Software Version History (TA31885),
• System Software: Version Matrix, System 6.0.x to 7.0.1 (TA33972),
• System 7.1 through Mac OS 7.6: Compatibility With Macintosh Computers (TA47341)

Note: The Macintosh XL uses a custom OS called MacWorks so is not included in the tables below.

Systems covered by this page

• Releases 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 2.1, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.0, 4.1, 5.0, 5.1
• Releases 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.2, 6.0.3, 6.0.4, 6.0.5, 6.0.6, 6.0.7, 6.0.8, 6.0.8L, 6.0.8P, 7.0, 7.0.1
• Releases 7.1, 7.1.1 (Pro), 7.1.2, 7.1.3, 7.5, 7.5.2, 7.5.3, 7.5.5, for 68k Systems, and PPC Systems
• Releases 7.6, 7.6.1, 8.0, 8.1

!	– Not supported
OK	– Works with this version of system software
#	– Works with this version of system software, but requires a Macintosh System Enabler, where ### = the ID code of the enabler (e.g. the enabler for the Color Classic to run 7.1 or 7 Pro is 401, and the last released version is 1.0.5)
???	– Works with this version of system software, but requires a Macintosh System Enabler, but I could not find information for which enabler.

1. System Software Release 1 to 5 Compatibility:

Note, prior to System 6.x the System number/naming for the Macintosh OS was…. different, below I try to provide the set of information that you need to identify each release of new system software.

• 1.0: 1984/01, System 1.0 / Finder 1.0 / System Software 0.97, Introduced with the Macintosh 128k
• 1.1: 1984/05, System 1.1 / Finder 1.1g and 1.1h / System Software
• 2.0: 1985/04, System 2.0 / Finder 1.1g / System Software 0.1
• 2.1: 1985/04, System 2.0 / Finder 4.1 / System Software 0.3
• 2.1 HD20: 1986/01, System 2.0 / Finder 5.0, introduced support for the Hierarchical File System (HFS) for use the Macintosh Hard Disk 20 (emulated by the FloppyEMU) that was specifically released for the Macintosh 512.
• 3.0: 1986/01, System 3.0 / Finder 5.1 System Software 0.7, introduced support 800k floppy disks (Double Sided), and for SCSI, with a maximum partition size of 32MB (info from unverified source, will test on my MAC SE and update). SCSI would become a standard feature starting with the Macintosh Plus.
  • For the Macintosh 128: the driver was loaded from RAM when booting from a floppy drive, and took too much RAM to be used with the Macintosh 128k.
  • For the Macintosh 512: required a special boot diskette that begins the boot up process, and on detecting the Macintosh Hard Disk 20, ejects the disk and then continues loading from the Hard Disk.
  • For the Macintosh 512Ke: native support for HFS was added to the ROM allowing for this system (and the Plus) to boot directly form the Macintosh Hard Disk 20 without using a floppy disk.
  • HFS has a limit of 65,535 files per logical disk (e.g. partition/volume). (See Apple KBase Article 8647)
  • A way around the file limit is to use a tool like ShrinkWrap to create mountable disk images.
• 3.1: 1986/02, System 3.1 / Finder 5.2 (buggy, do not use) / System Software 1.0
• 3.1.1: 1986/02, System 3.1.1 / Finder 5.4
• 3.2: 1986/06, System 3.2 / Finder 5.3 / System Software 1.1
• 3.3: 1987/01, System 3.3 / Finder 5.4 / System Software 2.0
• 4.0: 1987/03, System 4.0 / System Software 2.0.1
• 4.1: 1987/04, System 4.1 / Finder 5.5 / System Software 2.0.1, Introduced support for 2GB partitions (See Apple KBase Article 8647)
• 5.0: System 4.2 / Finder 6.0 / System Software 5.0
• 5.1: System 4.3 / Finder 6.0 / System Software 5.1

Macintosh Model (68k)	5.1	5.0	4.1	4.0	3.4	3.3	3.2	3.1	3.0	2.1	2.0	1.1	1.0
128K (400k Floppy) (24bit)	!	!	!	!	!	!	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK
512K (400k Floppy) (24bit)	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK
512Ke (800k Floppy) (24bit)	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK
Plus (800k Floppy) (24bit)	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	!	!	!	!
SE (800k Floppy)	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	!	!	!	!	!	!	!
SE FDHD (24bit)	OK	OK	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!
II (800k Floppy) (24bit)	OK	OK	OK	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!

2. System Software Release 6 to 7.0.1 Compatibility

• System 6.0.0: Introduced support for the Double Sided High Density 1.44 MB SuperDrive, significant bugs, software version numbers
• System 6.0.1: ?
• System 6.0.2: First stable release. The two previous versions 6.0.0 and 6.0.1 both had a significant amount of bugs and are not recommend, disk contents, software version numbers, Macintosh System Software 6.0.2: Labeled Incorrectly As 6.0.1
• System 6.0.3: disk contents, changes from previous versions, Incompatible with Macintosh 512Ke and HD20, Don‘t Use on Mac II Without SuperDrive
• System 6.0.4: disk contents, general information, issue with dual floppy SE
• System 6.0.5: You should use System 6.0.5 (or System 7) on most Macintosh computers made before the Macintosh Classic, Macintosh LC, and Macintosh IIsi.
• System 6.0.6: Don’t use it.
• System 6.0.7: Fixes bugs found in 6.0.6
• System 6.0.8L shipped on a limited run of computers for the Asia Pacific Market due to a delay in System 7 localization, supports the: Classic, Classic II, LC, LC II, Powerbook 100 (Apple KBase Article TA28558)
• System 6.0.8P: a community created release based on a 6.0.7 release created for Japan, supports the: powerbook 140, 145, 145B, 170 (perhaps more, let me know)
• System 7.0:
• System 7.01: comparison of 7.x versions up to 7.5

Macintosh Model (68k)	7.0.1	7.0	6.0.8P1	6.0.8L2	6.0.8	6.0.7	6.0.5	6.0.4	6.0.3	6.0.2	6.0.1	6.0.0
512K (400k Floppy) (24bit)	!	!	!	!	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK
512Ke (800k Floppy) (24bit)	!	!	!	!	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK
Plus (800k Floppy) (24bit)	OK	OK	!	!	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK
SE (800k Floppy) (24bit)	OK	OK	!	!	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK
SD FDHD (24bit)	OK	OK	!	!	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK
SE/30 (24/32bit*)	OK	OK	!	!	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	!	!	!
Classic (24/32bit)	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	!	!	!
Classic II (24/32bit) Performa 200	OK	!	!	OK	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!
Portable	OK	OK	!	!	OK	OK	OK	OK	!	!	!	!
II (800k Floppy) (24/32bit*)	OK	OK	!	!	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK
IIx (24/32bit*)	OK	OK	!	!	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	!
IIcx (24/32bit*)	OK	OK	!	!	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	!	!
IIci (24/32bit)	OK	OK	!	!	OK	OK	OK	OK	!	!	!	!
IIfx (24/32bit)	OK	OK	!	!	OK	OK	OK	!	!	!	!	!
IIsi (24/32bit)	OK	OK	!	!	OK	OK	!	!	!	!	!	!
LC (24/32bit)	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	OK	!	!	!	!	!	!
LC II (24/32bit) Also called Performa 400, 405, 410, 430	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	!	!	!	!	!	!	!
PowerBook 100	OK	!	!	OK	?	(P)	(P)	!	!	!	!	!
PowerBook 140	OK	!	OK	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!
PowerBook 145	OK	!	OK	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!
PowerBook 145B	OK	!	OK	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!
PowerBook 170	OK	!	OK	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!
Quadra 700 (24/32bit)	OK	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!
Quadra 900, 950	OK	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!

3. System Software Release 7.1 to 7.5.5 Compatibility (introduced System Enablers)

These tables are based on the the tables from Apple knowledge base (TA47341), I created these with the assumption that the source article may be removed in the future (like many other articles that dealt with the vintage systems). I’ve also included links to any System Enablers needed for an OS to work properly on a system. Because Apple has removed these files from their site I’m linking to the cached copies on the Internet Archive. I’m also hosting these files on my site and will link to my copy if they ever disappear off the Internet Archive. For anyone that wants to have a copy of all the System Enablers they can also be found on the Macintosh Garden.

3.1. About System Enablers:

In the past when Apple released new computers the system software was revised. To get around this problem system enablers were written which contained information necessary for newer computers to start up. All Apple computers released since system software 7.1 (September 1992) require a system enabler to start up. For more information see my post on Current Version and Change History for these enablers.

System 7.5 contains a universal enabler that supports all computers released before System 7.5.

3.2. 68k Systems:

• Before installing System 7 confirm that you have at least 2 Megabytes of RAM, preferably at least 4.
• The Macintosh Plus, SE, SE/30, Classic, Classic II, LC, LC II, LC 580, Mac II, IIx, IIcx, IIsi, IIci, IIfx, Portable, PowerBook 100, 140, 145, 145B, 170, Quadra 700, 900, and 950, and Performa 200, 400, 405, 410, 430, 580, 640 and 6110-series all do NOT need a System Enabler. System 7 and System 7.1: System Requirements, System 7: INITs or System Extensions in System 7
• System 7.0, 7.0.1, 7.0.1P, 7.1, 7.1P, 7.1P1, 7.1P2, 7.1P3, 7.1P5, 7.1P6, and System 7.5 comparison
• System 7.1.1 = System 7 Pro readme, installation, disk contents
• System 7.1.2P = System 7 release that introduced support for Power Macintosh
• System 7.1.3 = System 7.1, 7.1.1 or 7.1.2 with System Update 3.0 revision 2
• System 7.5 introduced support for 4GB partitions, but kept the HFS limit of 65,535 files per logical disk (e.g. partition) (See Apple KBase Article 8647), upgrade kit contents, color picker issue, new features
• System 7.5.2 introduced support for 2TB partitions on some systems. (Systems released with 7.5.2 installed and systems that support PCI, from what I can see no 68k system meets those requirements, see Apple KBase Article 8647)
• System 7.5.5 was the last to support 68k macs with less than a 68030 CPU
• System 7.6 only supports 68k macs with a 68030 CPU or better, and Macs with 32-bit-clean ROMS (the Mac II, Mac IIx, Mac IIcx, and Mac SE/30 do NOT have 32 bit clean ROMS)
• (1) The system was initially released with only 1 Megabyte of RAM but can be expanded to 4 or more Megabytes. (minimum for OS 7.1.x is 2 Megabytes of RAM)
• (2) The system was initially released with only 2 Megabytes of RAM but can be expanded to 4 or more Megabytes. (minimum for OS 7.5.x is 4 Megabytes of RAM)
• (#) The Apple Workgroup Server 95 uses the A/UX operating system.
• + Also requires: System 7.5.5 SCSI Server Update, and PPC Interrupt Extension.
• (A) System Enabler 131 replaces System Enabler 111 and System Enabler 121
• (B) Express Modem users should also install the Duo Battery Patch extension)
• (D) These computers shipped with 7.5.5 and require the enabler that shipped with it. These computers do not support Mac OS 7.6 but support Mac OS 7.6.1.

Macintosh	7.5.5	7.5.3	7.5.2	7.5.1	7.5	7.1.3	7.1.2P	7Pro	7.1
Plus (800k Floppy) (24bit) (1)	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	OK	!	!	OK
SE (800k Floppy) (24bit) (1)	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	OK	!	OK	OK
SD FDHD (24bit) (1)	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	OK	!	OK	OK
SE/30 (24/32bit*) (1)	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	OK	!	OK	OK
Classic (24/32bit) (1)	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	OK	!	OK	OK
Classic II (24/32bit) (2) Performa 200	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	OK	!	OK	OK
(1) Portable	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	OK	!	OK	OK
Color Classic (24/32bit) Performa 250	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	401	401
Color Classic II (24/32bit) Performa 275	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	403	403
II (800k Floppy) (24/32bit*) (1)	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	OK	!	OK	OK
IIx (24/32bit*) (1)	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	OK	!	OK	OK
IIcx (24/32bit*) (1)	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	OK	!	OK	OK
IIci (24/32bit)	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	OK	!	OK	OK
IIfx (24/32bit)	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	OK	!	OK	OK
IIsi (24/32bit) (2)	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	OK	!	OK	OK
IIvi, IIvx (24/32bit) Also called Performa 600 (same as IIvx without cache/FPU)	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	001	!	001	001
LC (24/32bit) (2)	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	OK	!	OK	OK
LC II (24/32bit) Also Performa 400, 405, 410, 430 (24/32bit)	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	OK	!	OK	OK
LC III (24/32bit) Also called Performa 450	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	003	003
LC III+ (24/32bit) Also called Performa 460	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	003	003
LC 475 (24/32bit), PPC Upgraded Also called Performa 475, 476, Quadra 605	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	065	065
LC 520 (24/32bit) Also called Performa 520	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	403	403
LC 550 (24/32bit) Also called Performa 550, 560	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	403	403
LC 575 (24/32bit) in CC requires v.1.1 for 512 x 384 Also called Performa 575, 577, 578	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	065	065
LC 580 (32bit) Also called Performa 580	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	405	405	!	!
LC 630 (32bit) Quadra 630, Performa 630	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	405	405	!	!
LC 630 DOS (32bit) Performa 630, 640 In my collection	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	!	!	!	!
Macintosh TV (24/32bit)	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	404	!	404	404
Centris 610 (24/32bit)	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	040	040
Centris 650 (32bit)	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	040	040
Centris 660AV (32bit) Quadra 660AV	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	088	088
Portable	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	OK	!	OK	OK
Performa (see LC section), 600 (see IIvi)
PowerBook 100	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	OK	!	OK	OK
PowerBook 140	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	OK	!	OK	OK
PowerBook 145	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	OK	!	OK	OK
PowerBook 145B	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	OK	!	OK	OK
PowerBook 150	OK	OK		OK	OK	150	!	150	!
PowerBook 160	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	131	131
PowerBook 165	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	131	131
PowerBook 165c	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	131	131
PowerBook 170	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	OK	!	OK	OK
PowerBook 180	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	131	131
PowerBook 180c	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	131	131
PowerBook 190	OK	OK	190	!	!	!	!	!	!
PowerBook Duo 210	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	Duo (B)	Duo (B)
PowerBook Duo 230	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	Duo (B)	Duo (B)
PowerBook Duo 2300	OK	OK	2300	!	!	!	!	!	!
PowerBook Duo 250	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	Duo (B)	*
PowerBook Duo 270c	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	Duo	*
PowerBook Duo 280	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	Duo 2.0	!	Duo 2.0	!
PowerBook Duo 280c	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	Duo 2.0	!	Duo 2.0	!
PowerBook 520, 520c	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	500	!	500	!
PowerBook 540, 540c	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	500	!	500	!
Quadra 610 (24/32bit) with 486SX card	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	040	040
Quadra 650 (32bit)	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	040	040
Quadra 660AV (32bit) Centris 660AV	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	088	088
Quadra 700 (24/32bit)	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	OK	!	OK	OK
Quadra 800 (24/32bit)	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	040	040
Quadra 840AV (32bit)	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	088	088
Quadra 900, 950	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	OK	OK
Workgroup Server 60	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	040	040
Workgroup Server 80	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	INC	!	040	040
(#) Workgroup Server 95	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!

3.3. PPC Systems

The table is based on the the tables from Apple knowledge base (TA47341).

Macintosh	7.5.5	7.5.3	7.5.2	7.5.1	7.5	7.1.3	7.1.2	7Pro	7.1
Performa 5300	OK	OK	!	406	!	!	!	!	!
Performa 6110	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	!	!	?	OK
Performa 6200, 6300	OK	OK	!	406	!	!	!	!	!
PowerBook 5300	OK	OK	5300	!	!	!	!	!	!
PowerMac 5300/100 LC	OK	OK	!	406	!	!	!	!	!
PowerMac 5400/200	OK	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!
PowerMac 5500/225	OK	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!
PowerMac 6100/60	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	PPC 1.02	PPC 1.02	!	!
PowerMac 6100/66	OK	OK	!	PPC 1.1.1	PPC 1.1.1	!	!	!	!
PowerMac 7100/66	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	PPC 1.0.2	PPC 1.0.2	!	!
PowerMac 7100/80	OK	OK	!	PPC 1.1.1	PPC 1.1.1	!	!	!	!
PowerMac 7200/75	OK	OK	701 1.1	!	!	!	!	!	!
PowerMac 7200/90	OK	OK	701 1.1	!	!	!	!	!	!
PowerMac 7300/180	OK	702 (D)	!	!	!	!	!	!	!
PowerMac 7300/200	OK	702 (D)	!	!	!	!	!	!	!
PowerMac 7500/100	OK	OK	701 1.2	!	!	!	!	!	!
PowerMac 8100/80	OK	OK	!	OK	OK	PPC 1.02	PPC 1.0.2	!	!
PowerMac 8100/100	OK	OK	!	PPC 1.1.1	PPC 1.1.1	!	!	!	!
PowerMac 8100/110	OK	OK	!	PPC 1.1.1	PPC 1.1.1	!	!	!	!
PowerMac 8500/120	OK	OK	701 1.2	!	!	!	!	!	!
PowerMac 8600/200	OK	702 (D)	!	!	!	!	!	!	!
PowerMac 9500/120	OK	OK	701 1.1	!	!	!	!	!	!
PowerMac 9500/132	OK	OK	701 1.1	!	!	!	!	!	!
PowerMac 9600/200	OK	702 (D)	!	!	!	!	!	!	!
PowerMac 5200/75 LC	OK	OK	!	406	!	!	!	!	!
Workgroup Server 6150/60	OK+	OK	!	OK	OK	!	???	!	!
Workgroup Server 6150/66	OK+	OK	!	???	???	!	!	!	!
Workgroup Server 7250/120	OK+	OK	!	!	!	!	!	!	!
Workgroup Server 7350/180	OK+	OK	!	!	!	!	!	!	!
Workgroup Server 8150/80	OK+	OK	!	OK	OK	!	???	!	!
Workgroup Server 8150/110	OK+	OK	!	???	???	!	!	!	!
Workgroup Server 8550/132	OK+	OK	!	!	!	!	!	!	!
Workgroup Server 8550/200	OK+	OK	!	!	!	!	!	!	!
Workgroup Server 9150/80	OK+	OK	!	OK	!	!	OK	!	!
Workgroup Server 9150/120	OK+	OK	!	OK	!	!	!	!	!
Workgroup Server 9650/233	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!
Workgroup Server 9650/350	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!	!

4. System Software Release 7.6 to 8.1 Compatibility

With the release of System 7.6 apple ended support for the majority of it’s earlier systems. System 7.6 requires a 68030 CPU, 8MB of RAM and a 32-bit clean ROM (all computers with 68030 microprocessors are 32-bit clean except the Macintosh SE/30, Macintosh IIx, and the Macintosh IIcx). There are also a small number of PPC systems that are NOT supported: PowerMacs 7300, 8600, 9600.

With System 8.0 the requirement increased to 68040 and 12MB of RAM (20MB recommended), but there is a hack that will let you run System 8.0 and 8.1 on systems with 68030 CPUs.

• System 7.6: system requirements, clean install, base vs. all, no GeoPort software, blinking question mark after install
• System 7.6.1: CD-ROM driver issue, Hacking Mac OS 7.6.1 to Work with Many OS 8 Apps
• Mac OS 8.0: what’s new, installation, boot from CD issue, proDOS partitions will not mount, no GeoPort software, Backporting HFS+ to Mac OS 8.0 and earlier
• Mac OS 8.1: what’s new, hfs+ startup disk, hfs+, how to install, pc setup sound issue, using non-apple CD-ROM drives