FAQ

FAQ

Is ZacOS 9 a Mac emulator?

No. It is a desktop environment for Debian Linux, written from scratch in the style of Mac OS 8 and 9. The window manager, Sniffer, menu bar, control panels and applications are ZacOS 9's own.

Old Dog is the separate part that runs classic Mac OS in an emulator.

Does it include Mac OS 9, Apple ROMs or Apple artwork?

No. You supply your own Macintosh ROM and Mac OS system disk for Old Dog, from a Mac you own. ZacOS 9 ships no Apple code, fonts, icons, sounds or system software, and none may be uploaded to the repository or this wiki.

Can it run my old Mac programs?

Programs written for Mac OS 7.5–9 can run in Old Dog, with your own ROM and system disk. See Classic Mac and Old Dog.

Does it replace Debian?

No. ZacOS 9 is a desktop session and a set of programs on Debian 13. Debian's packages, security updates and hardware support still apply.

Do I need a new ISO for every update?

No. Zac menu ▸ Fetch Updates installs new ZacOS 9 releases, Debian's security fixes and the ZacOS Extras on an installed system. A new ISO is for a fresh installation or a live session.

What computers does it support?

Debian 13 x86-64 PCs, with BIOS or UEFI. Graphics, Wi-Fi and laptops vary; see Hardware compatibility.

Can I install it beside Windows?

Yes. The Installer offers Next to what's on it, and Disk Setup can make a ZacOS (ext4) partition in free space. Back up first. See Installing and upgrading.

Which languages are available?

Italian, Russian, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, French (Canada and France) and Arabic are complete; Japanese is a display pilot. Canadian and UK English are selectable English locales. See Languages and translations.

How do I change language after installation?

Control Panels ▸ Text, then log out and back in. The login window follows the system-wide locale instead.

Why does a translation not fit or look wrong?

Some strings are longer than English, and bitmap fonts do not cover every script. Report it with the Language or translation problem issue template; screenshots help.

How do I install a theme?

Drop the Mac OS 9 theme file into System Folder ▸ Appearance ▸ Theme Files. There is no Theme Installer menu entry. See Themes and customization.

How do I report a bug?

Use the issue templates. Include the version, what you did, what happened, and the relevant part of ~/.local/state/zacos9/session.log. Read the log first: it can contain file and network names.