Need to run earlier Mac OS's to access older software. Been using VMware Fusion, but it's M1/Monterey rev is not gonna be ready until (supposedly) January. Parallels doesn't do older Mac OS's either. Would sure like a solution this month.

Also would be able to use a solution to use the M1 iMac's display as an external monitor for an older Mac Mini while we wait on Fusion. Any/all ideas appreciated.
Thanks.
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You could login from the iMac to the mini, and run the VMs over there.

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Buzz
Any/all ideas appreciated.
Thanks.
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Update the old software?

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

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jdc

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Buzz
Any/all ideas appreciated.
Thanks.
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Update the old software?

I would have thought it would be obvious that the OP would do that if the old software had an update available. Many of us use software that has been orphaned with no updates available, and no comparable replacement. Hence the use of VMs of older versions of OS X.

Parallels does do older Mac OSes (I'm running 10.6.8 in a Paralles 13 VM under Sierra), but I know Parallels 13 won't run on Monterey based on the emails they keep sending me to try to get me to update to v17. I have no idea if my VM would run in Parallels 17 under Monterey, but I doubt it. I will likely install SL on an old mini and run it headlessly and remote into it when necessary.

Target display mode only works on a few select older Macs such as my 2010 iMac.

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rich in distress
You could login from the iMac to the mini, and run the VMs over there.

Need a monitor for the Mini, that's the rub. Space constraints allow for a Mini, but not another monitor, which's why we was wishing Apple woulda followed thru w/ the hope they'd bring back the old iMac as an external monitor feature.

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jdc
Update the old software?

What rz said....

Additionally, we're in a state of flux at the moment, so setting up a viable headless Mini isn't an easily doable option for the participants.... In that vein, we may  be able to commission a newly acquired 11" iPP as the monitor for the old Mini, by using one of those widgets I've seen for commandeering iPads for that purpose.

Just trying to survive until the Fusion update is a solid, working, reality....
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Hey buzz!
You don’t need a monitor if you login from the iMac.
Both machines turned on and on the same network.
Hit cmd-k on the iMac, find mini and login with a user on it.
The iMac will show the desktop from the mini, and keyboard and mouse will work.
You may have to try it to see if it will do.

Buzz,

I'm in need of the same solution for Catalina, Big Sur and Monterey. My issue is the initial setup. I'd like to convert an existing boot drive into a virtual machine rather than starting with a fresh virtual drive and virtual installation of the OS and apps. I can't find explicit instructions for this. Even instructions for creating a virtual machine seem to be lacking.

I once used Fusion to convert an existing Windows machine into a virtual machine. Open the app, run the conversion system, done. I'd like to do the same for an existing Mac installation. Doesn't matter to me if it's Parallels, Fusion or a different virtualizer.

Robert

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rich in distress
Hey buzz!
You don’t need a monitor if you login from the iMac.
Both machines turned on and on the same network.
Hit cmd-k on the iMac, find mini and login with a user on it.
The iMac will show the desktop from the mini, and keyboard and mouse will work.
You may have to try it to see if it will do.

Need monitor to set Mini initially on iMac's network. New M1 iMac running Monterey to old Mini running Mavs; gotta make sure it's compatible.

Several miles between test sites, so logistics suck; would be so easy if new iMac just was usable as external like its predecessors.
iPad as temp monitor is looking interesting.
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Hook it up to the nearest TV!

By the way, I’ve never done this remotely without another user on the other side, but I understand it’s possible.
At any rate, good luck!



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/02/2021 02:48PM by rich in distress.

He said "any/all" ideas were appreciated.

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

Can you screen share your Mac mini from your iMac?

Use the built-in screen sharing - no added software needed.

On Mac mini turn on Screen Sharing: System Preferences > Sharing > Screen Sharing > On

On iMac: Launch Screen Sharing -> Spotlight -> Screen Sharing (Keep in Dock to use regularly)

Turns out my lit'l bro has a no-longer-being-used (by him) Luna Display widget, so it'll be heading this way in tomorrow's mail....

will try to cobble together an iPad-as-screen solution, and hope that it works well enough/long enough to get the new iMac to do screen sharing along w/ data sharing, from an old Mac. Fingers crossed. As noted, just looking for something to hold life together until the Fusion update actually works. On the bright side of the tracks, I gotta say the screen on the M1 iMac is stunning; a 32" will be nothing short of spellbinding.
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You can run old software with QEMU - there are several interface apps for it.

But it is not plug and play and some have luck, others it is finicky.

I am waiting for Parallels or such to run an old OS - but realistically I could just screen share.