I have just replaced the CD drive in my imac G3 350 with a DVD drive (thanks, Macman), which is working fine. If I want to play movies, I need the apple DVD player application, right? I have tried downloading it (version 2.2) from the apple website using my MBP and putting the files on the imac, but they are not recognised (show the PC icon). Any idea what is missing or why I can't install the DVD player? Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated!

Deb

Hi Deb,

what suffix is on the end of the file? If it's .hqx, .bin or .sit, drag the icon to Stuffit Expander and it should open and uncompress to a folder. Otherwise, you should be able to extract the same file using your MBP and OS X's version of Stuffit.

I did find a later version (2.7) of the software for OS 9.x for you here:

Apple DVD Player 2.7 Document and Software

JB

Dumb question but are the relevant extensions enabled?,check extensions manager in control panel to find out.

The archive is a .smi and the imac can't expand it. It gives error -39.

If I expand the 2.4. version it on the mbp the files are installer files and one software tome. The imac can't run those either. The 2.7 link you gave me gives a broken file, the mbp can't mount it.

What extensions should I be looking for?

Ta
Deb

You want anything with "DVD" working ie;Apple CD/DVD Driver,DVD AutoLauncher,DVD Navigation Manager,DVD Region Manager,DVD Video Interface,DVD RuntimeLib.If worst you could reinstall 9.2 and update to9 .22 then select Mac OS 9.22 All in the extensions manager box.Good luck

I have updated to 9.2 and in the extensions manager selected the 'OS9.2' all. I can see that all the DVD player extensions are checked, but when I try to launch the application from the finder menu the alias is lost - the program has been trashed or something. That is why I'm trying to re-install it. I am still getting nowhere though.

Deb

I didn't think a G3 350Mhz CPU could even play back a DVD?

I checked the specks for the dvd player application and it said it was imacDV G3 with 350 or 400 MHz. My imac is not a DV model, though. Still, I should be able to recognise the installer files, shouldn't I? The .smi package was for OS 9.1 or above.

Deb

How did you get it from your MacBook to the iMac, though?

If you used a USB flash-drive, then unless your USB flash-drive is formatted as HFS (not FAT32, which is the default) then copying any pre-OSX Mac files onto it will render them useless to pre-OSX.

Re-format the USB flash-drive on the iMac so that it is HFS format, then try the transfer again. Otherwise, try and use the iMac to download the installer directly.

(Oh, decryption: yes, a G3 could play back a DVD video ... in fact, so could any Mac with a PowerPC 604 @ 200 MHz (or better) and an ATI Rage graphics chip)

I was going to suggest upgrading to Jaguar if possible but you may run into other issues. Try here for some iMac DVD related help
Accelerate Your Mac FAQ: DVD

Stewie

Edit: Or go to this page and type in the relevant details to see what people have done to get third party DVD drives working in their iMacs.
Accelerate Your Mac! Mac Drive Upgrades/Compatibility Database

I know I had problems a few years ago with an external firewire dvd on g3 imac running 10.3 could not load the dvd player. From memory I used pacifist to install off my operating disk. Pacifist 2.5.2 software download - Mac OS X - VersionTracker
I do not know if there is a version for 9.2

Thanks for all the great ideas... Brains, i think you've hit the nail on the head there. I was using my usb drive to get the files across. When I looked up the error code, I found that -39 was a file system error. (crosses fingers) The drive itself is an apple drive so there shouldn't be any problems there....

I actually took OSX off this machine as it was too hungry and driving us crazy. We already have an OSX emac which I bought recently for the older kids. This machine is for the little ones to play my old classic educational software on, as I have a truckload of good stuff that is just not available for OSX. An extra DVD player would be a useful addition.

I am off to reformat my USB drive now!
Deb

Thanks Brains - reformatted the USB and everything is now running. The DVD player is not too bad - occasionally the picture freezes for a second, and the monitor is way too dark but it is working....

Deb