Got a free G4

[G4tune]

I got a free Powermac at work. The office I work at went all PC so they were junking the last of the macs. They were on their way to the dumpster-so I asked if I could grab one. Hard drive was removed for security(nicely done -not ripped out)
Longtime Mac user so want to see if I can get it working--just for kicks-if not at least I'll have a decoration.
Obviously it will need a new hard drive to start-might do upgrade processor/video card later
Any good sites that are geared specifically to upgrading early G4s? Lots of funky hardware transitions during period so I don't want to buy incorrect hardware

The model
2001 Powermac G4-nicknamed "Digtal Audio" The low-end model right before Quicksilver came out
466mhz
512 ram (!)
5 PCI slots (!!!)
zero G hard drive
ATI rage 128 pro 16mb

[FoxyKaye]

Well, for starters:

http://www.apple.com/support (Search Support for "G4 Digital Audio")
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58757

http://www.lowendmac.com
http://www.everymac.com

That should get you going... Good luck!

[iDM]

It is inconceivable to me that people would throw away any computer let alone something as fast as that. They can donate these machines to many charities and even get tax write offs. Furthermore I am always open to donations of any kind.

[Rod Rod]

It'll probably be loud, so you might want to do something about the noise.

http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/G4ZONE/G4_fan_noise.html

[FoxyKaye]

It is inconceivable to me that people would throw away any computer let alone something as fast as that. They can donate these machines to many charities and even get tax write offs. Furthermore I am always open to donations of any kind.
I agree - Where are you G4tune? Any more Macs in the junkheap, did you pick the cream of the crop?

It's true that they shouldn't just be tossed, at the very least recycled...

[MacTurtle]

lucky! I wish I could find someone tossing out an old g4 somewhere!

You've got a nice starter machine there. Good luck!

[dmw007]

Free Power Mac G4 = very cool.

Should be a nice upgrading project. enjoy.

[wide]

ebay it! (if you already have a mac). such an upgradeable machine like that could go for a couple hundred bux.

[dsharits]

I would have grabbed all of them, even if I had to go back after hours and pick them up. :)

[dmw007]

I would have grabbed all of them, even if I had to go back after hours and pick them up. :)

Same here, I would have loaded my car up with them :)

[briangig]

seeing as a bought my 533 digital audio for a couple hundred bucks...i'd say you got a good deal...go get the others!

BTW, look for cheap (used) Dual Processors for it...really gives them a kick.

[Ikstej24]

You can really make the Digital Audio go a long way. Best bet is to try out macsales.com. They have just about everything you will need.

[G4tune]

Thanks for the links-It will be fun trying to get it running again.

To clarify--sorry about not being more clear. There was not a huge pile of old powermacs, only 2, the other was the earlier model G4 (400mhz-I think it is sometimes refrered to as "yikes") There were about 12 ancient Dells as well but a mentally glanced over them.
Something VERY bad happened to that other Mac. There was some burnt/melted plastic on the back where the power supply is. And the hard drive was "removed" as well---I think they used a crowbar. It was not pretty.

I agree it was a awful waste of old hardware-I'll mention it to the HR people to recycle them out properly

[sambo.]

i do so hope you didn't foolishly leave any behind on that scrapheap.

[ReanimationLP]

Go back there and get the rest of them! >.<!

You could give em away to people, like me. :D

[bartelby]

My college are about to upgrade their old G4s, when they upgraded from the B&W G3s the IT guys threw them into a lockable container.
They had to make sure they were unusable, my lecturers said they just stood there in shock watching bits of G3s bounce around a container.

They're currently locked in a battle with the college's IT and finance depts. trying to save the G4s to give to students as they can't sell them.

[doucy2]

i got a old g4 that im selling 500mhz 640mb 80gb dvd ati 8500
if any of you old PM lovers are interested
nice job on the free powermac

[reberto]

I got a QS 733, 1.5 gig ram, 40 gig HD, CD-RW, Zip 250 and running 10.3 for free from my dads work. It was "dead from a power-outage. The IT guy has not clue what the cuda switch did.

[jessica.]

good deal man!
that is how i got a free server, this internet company went under and they tossed everything. i got $4k for everything. i don't know how much it was worth, but it was free cash!

[PlaceofDis]

awesome deal and i am jealous!

[doucy2]

good deal man!
that is how i got a free server, this internet company went under and they tossed everything. i got $4k for everything. i don't know how much it was worth, but it was free cash!
that makes me wanna cry how wasteful lagre companys are

[rjphoto]

My father-in-laws company had a fire after hours last month. The insurance company paid out to replace all of the computers. When the recovery company came in they tossed several PC's in the trash heap.

I would have been dumpster diving if I had known.

They where mostly HP's. I think they saved one or two laptops and a couple of CRT screens.

I don't think they even tried to turn them on... They where being paid by the job to clean out the building, so the sooner they finished the more money they made.
What a shame. I'm hoping some of the kids in the neighborhood did the dumpster diving.

[leekohler]

Also don't forget this website:

www.sonnettech.com

I got 1 Ghz processor from them and put in my old 350 Mhz G4 Sawtooth. It and Tiger get along very well. :)

[joepunk]

To OP, lucky find, lucky you :D

[chasingapple]

Im jealous!