How to use dmg files on Mac OS 9.1?

[studio401]

My iMac running OS 9.1 does not appear to recognize dmg files. What's th work around?

[PWRBOOKG3]

Heh, I am the next in queue that wants to know why *.dmg are opened by simple text viewer instead of being executed as an app... I'm a rookie, so please help if someone knows the solution...

[007]

You can try Disk Copy 6.4 but I dont think it will work. Read the following post posted by some individual on the net.

There are ways, but it depends on the DMG image.
The last official Disk Copy release for OS 9, v6.3.3, won't open any DMG images. However, you can get hold of the newer Disk Copy 6.4 which was only made available to developers. This will open certain types of DMG image.
DMG images are like normal IMG files in as much as they can either be compressed or uncompressed. What's catches people out on OS 9 is that compressed DMG images cannot be opened on that system, not even by the newer Disk Copy. It's unfortunet but there's no way round.
There is an urban myth that states if you use the even newer Disk Copy 6.5 beta 11/13 for OS 9 (which was scrapped when OS 10 went mainstream), that you're supposed to be bale to open even more types of DMG. This is an absolute crock of s---, so dn't believe anything you read about it. The truth is that only uncompressed DMG files can be opend on OS 9 using any of those Disk Copy versions. That's it. Compressed DMG's cannot and never will be openable on OS 9. Fact.
You can easily tell if a DMG is compressed. Use some sort of application capable of reading the datafork with hex data (a simple hex editor will do the trick). If the first two digits are 78, the disk is compressed, and you can there and then rule out ever opening it on OS 9.
If it isn't compressed, you will need Disk Copy 6.4 or, 6.5b11/6.5b13 in order to open. I don't think it matters which one you use. Again the myth suggests the betas are capable of opening a wider range, but yet again, there is no 'wider range', only compressed or uncompressed. And only uncompressed DMGs can be opened by those Disk Copy versions.
Do a search on google for them. You mgith also want to check for a hex editor if you don't already have one and check the DMG contents for those two b---tard digits '78'.

[PWRBOOKG3]

Thank You for answering, i found this site is very useful for guys which are not always interrested in brand nu fancy machines... that's cool. i've my brandnew shiny fancyvista, but i prefer to switch on that old pwrbook, i've found in copenhagen on the sidewalk and "resurrect" HIM. It's kinda cute.
Anyways the dmg format is as i guess a border to separate old system from the new one, it's sad... i guess they don't have enough profit, that's why they force people to buy their new stuff... love macs.