Mac OS Requirements — Pro Tools LE Version 5.2-5.2.1 for Mac OS 9
Approved Mac Operating Systems
- Pro Tools LE 5.2 and 5.2.1 have been tested and approved on Mac OS 9.1, 9.2, 9.2.1, and 9.2.2 (see Known Issues at the bottom of this page)
- Newer 5 slot G4 models (AGP graphics slot + 4 PCI slots = 5 slots total) require Mac OS 9.2/9.2.1/9.2.2 on the 2001/2002 Quicksilver 5 slot models
- 9.2.2 Recommended: Although 9.1 has been tested and approved, if you experience problems with system performance, Digidesign recommends updating to OS 9.2.2, available from www.apple.com
- To update from OS 9 to 9.1 or 9.2.1, go to www.info.apple.com/export
- To update from OS 9.2 to 9.2.2, go to www.info.apple.com/support/downloads.html or by using the Software Update Control Panel
- You must boot computer in OS 9 — Pro Tools will not run using OS X or Classic mode
Settings & Requirements
- Mac OS Base Extension set and Digi System extensions (See Pro Tools Mac FAQ #1 for more information)
- Set default cache (in the Memory Control Panel) to "Custom, 512k"
- Set Energy Saver Control Panel to "Never"
- In the Appearance Control Panel, disable "Smooth All Fonts On Screen" and change system font to other than "Charcoal"
- If Norton Utilities is used it must be Norton Utilities v4.0 or higher to ensure compatibility with HFS+
Known Issues:
- The "Quicksilver" G4 models require OS 9.2, 9.2.1, or 9.2.2 to run Pro Tools. Users should not attempt to install OS 9.1, or run OSX, (including Classic mode), with Pro Tools on these machines. The Quicksilver G4 models have been tested with the Mac OS as shippped from Apple on these machines, with a dual boot system which includes both OS 9.2.x and OS X. It is absolutely necessary to boot from OS 9.2.x in order to run Pro Tools. Although you cannot use Pro Tools with OS X or in "Classic" mode under OS X, it is not necessary to remove OS X from these "Quicksilver" G4 computers
- Additional Mac OS Notes: If you have a pre-2001 Apple computer that did not ship with a dual boot system with both Mac OS X and OS 9 pre-installed by Apple, it is recommended that you do not install OS X on the same partition or hard drive with Mac OS 9.x that you use as your startup drive for Pro Tools
- Whenever updating any operating system, particularly if you are updating Mac OS X for use with other applications, it is recommended that you remove any plug-in key disk authorizations and store them on the floppy disk before upating or installing the Mac OS. After updating the OS, you can then re-install the key disk authorizations after first booting in OS 9
- Pro Tools currently does not utilize the second processor in dual processor Power Mac G4 models. If problems (such as -6042 errors) occur when using Pro Tools on a Dual Processor CPU, Digidesign recommends the following: Download and install ApplePCI - Apple Multiprocessor and G4 PowerBook Expansion Chassis Fix
See Apple's tech archive on how to differentiate between AGP Graphics and PCI Graphics G4 models at: www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n58418
Power Macintosh version history and specifications are available at www.everymac.com and www.applespec.com
Please Note: Pro Tools 5.x is not compatible with the Mac OS X operating system or "Classic" mode in OS X. In order to use Pro Tools 5.x software with the Mac OS, it is necessary to boot in OS 9 on Apple computers. Choose OS 9 in your Startup Disk control panel or hold down the Option key while booting, then choose OS 9.
In order to use Pro Tools on Mac OS X, you will need to have Pro Tools 6 for Mac OS X: