If it possible to install old MacOS's on VirtualBox?

[Matrix72001]

Hi,
I'm newbie here, because i don't know how i can install MacOS on Virtualbox.

I've downloaded some archives from FTP which are having old MacOS installers, but these filess are in different formats, such as: bin, image, sea, toast or dmg. I wanted to try old MacOS, just putting this files on VirtualBox, but unfortuantely i can't do that, because this program can open only iso files. Even if i try putting iso files, VirtualBox can't start MacOS setup. What could i be doing wrong? I don't have any tools and other programs, so i don't know what i must do to run MacOS on Windows. Can you give me some advices?

Thanks in advance.

[Winins]

Depends on the version. If it is between versions 1.0 and 10.3, you have no luck since these versions have different processor architectures.

[Resident007]

You can try using other software like PearPC or QEMU for PowerPC versions of macOS, but I don't think VBox is suitable for installing any version of MacOS on it.

[tarquin44]

For System 1 to Mac OS 7.5.5 (m68k) use Mini vMac emulator.
For Mac OS 7.0 to Mac OS 8.1 (m68k) use Basilisk II emulator.
For Mac OS 7.5.2 to Mac OS 9.0.4 (ppc) use Sheepshaver emulator.
For Mac OS 9.0.4 to Mac OSX 10.5 (ppc) use QEMU emulator.

[Matrix72001]

Wow, thanks. You helped me.
I runned MacOS 6.0 on Mini vMac and it works



Only i don't know how to run sheepshaver and basilisk II, i've found only emulators for MacOS system. Of course, there is a note that emulator will work for Windows, but i can't find and download emulator for this system. Can you have some links to download Basilisk II and sheepshaver for Windows?

[tarquin44]

Basilisk II and Sheepshaver downloads and instructions for Windows are available at emaculation.com

[stashakk]

My recommendations:
PearPC for old PowerPC based versions.
PCem for old x86 based versions.

[AlphaBeta]

My recommendations:
PCem for old x86 based versions.

Are you sure? There are not many x86-based versions that can run on PCem...

Unless of course you are talking about Rhapsody, which is really just NEXTSTEP with a Mac OS like user interface.

[stashakk]

Won't run on 8088 or Pentium but I believe there are versions (Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard) that can run on 80386.

But glad you brought this up because Bochs would be a better option as it supports various Intel processors after Pentium.

[ATeamInc]

Won't run on 8088 or Pentium but I believe there are versions (Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard) that can run on 80386.

But glad you brought this up because Bochs would be a better option as it supports various Intel processors after Pentium.

MacOS on a 386? I think you mean i386 (which is just another name for x86).

[chasemorgan2010]

Thinking about macOS 1.0 to 10.3? Not Possible. You can run 10.4 and beyond. if apple still supports intel macs.

[LetsLeakOurHardWork]

Yes, and, whenever I tried to install an old Mac OS version in VirtualBox (regardless of processor type), I got some sort of weird prompt. This can't be something that the guys at Apple just put in there, right?

[TechyTommy]

Yes, and, whenever I tried to install an old Mac OS version in VirtualBox (regardless of processor type), I got some sort of weird prompt. This can't be something that the guys at Apple just put in there, right?

What does that prompt look like? I've never tried installing any old versions of Mac OS in VirtualBox.

Offtopic Comment

While, I have attempted to run macOS (Catalina or Big Sur?) in VMware before. Never got that to work, though.

[Meow]

Won't run on 8088 or Pentium but I believe there are versions (Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard) that can run on 80386.

But glad you brought this up because Bochs would be a better option as it supports various Intel processors after Pentium.

I wouldn’t even use that. I would use VMWare with the macOS unlocker.

[LetsLeakOurHardWork]

Won't run on 8088 or Pentium but I believe there are versions (Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard) that can run on 80386.

But glad you brought this up because Bochs would be a better option as it supports various Intel processors after Pentium.

I wouldn’t even use that. I would use VMWare with the macOS unlocker.

I've never heard of that; didn't even try.

[Darkstar]

The x86 versions of MacOS X run fine on VMware Workstation (even ESXi for that matter) after you patch it with the unlocker. You even have the Guest Drivers with mouse integration etc.