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How to open case of PowerMac 5500 all-in-one?

im_to_hyper

im_to_hyper

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Hey there, I have an all-in-one PowerMac 5500 with a 250MHz 603e processor running OS 8.6. Its slow since she has only 32 MB RAM so I was going to put in two 64MB sticks.

Thing is, I can't for the life of me figure out how to to get access to the mobo to install the RAM.

I managed to take off the back of the case, but I can't seem to pull anythign out. I see the hard drive, but that's about it. I don't even see the mobo from that view, I don't think.

Anyone know how to install RAM or have a guide or anything?

My goal is to upgrade the HD to 6GB from my beige G3 (and put a 20GB in there) and from there I want to put OS 9, then 9.1 with OS Helper, and from there install 10.0 or 10.2 using XPostFacto.
 
Hey thanks! I managed to open in, but my RAM seems too big for it. So i filed down a RAM chip to make it fit, but that doesn't seem to work either. Anyone have any ideas?
 
im_to_hyper said:
Hey thanks! I managed to open in, but my RAM seems too big for it. So i filed down a RAM chip to make it fit, but that doesn't seem to work either. Anyone have any ideas?
Click to expand...

Well, i dont know much about the 5500 BUT, I would not have filed down the chip I think it takes 168 pin dims and with a 128 max
 
im_to_hyper said:
Hey thanks! I managed to open in, but my RAM seems too big for it. So i filed down a RAM chip to make it fit, but that doesn't seem to work either. Anyone have any ideas?
Click to expand...

I would have just broken it in half instead and hammered it in 'till it fitted!
 
Spock said:
Well, i dont know much about the 5500 BUT, I would not have filed down the chip I think it takes 168 pin dims and with a 128 max
Click to expand...

The thing was: I was using 168 pin DIMMs. It was literally a millimeter too long on each side, and the RAM works in other computers so I really don't think it should be that big of a deal. Maybe it needs a special type of RAM that none of us are aware of.
 
eek!

Filing RAM is not a good idea, the 5500 takes 72pin SIMMs, only 2 of them and I think it can go upto 256MB RAM MAX (it might be 128, but I think you can get 128MB SIMMS that work in it)
 
aladds said:
sorry guys, i was thinking about the 5200/5300! My mistake 😛
Click to expand...
I have the 5200/5300 manual as a PDF at home, although by the time I get home (in about 3 hours) you can probably google one up. I wanted to open one to gut it in order to sell the case and save a lot on shipping. Too bad I don't want to risk my life to take out the CRT screen! 😱 🙄

Hint: Try searching for "Macintosh 5200 Serivce Manual" or "Macintosh 5200 PDF"
 
I have a while bunch of 128 MB DIMMs I used in my PowerComputing PowerTower Pro 225 Macs back in the day. Not sure if they're compatible but if anyone wants 'em I'll let them go cheaply. PM me if interested.
 
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