G3 Imacs - what can i do with it?

[iCube]

Yeah, he's got to just find an old Panther os cd to install. Just upgrade the memory and upgrade the hard drive. Sometimes you can find an 200gig hard drive for cheaper than an 80 gig one... Get the largest, cheapest one you can find as long as it is 7200 rpm and has an 8mb cache. The machine will only read up to 128gb of hard drive, though. But if you get a cheaper larger one, who cares? Good luck. Great machines.

The 120GB HD is the largest single platter drive, while the 200GB is dual platter so it might be a bit louder than the 120GB, but a 200GB HD might still be one the shelf for a sub-$100 price!

Great way to take advantage of the full 128GB that the IDE controller can read!
CompUSA is sold out of the $95 200GB and $88 120GB, but still has 160GB for $70!!
http://www.compusa.com/products/pro...35&Ne=300689&Cn=Hard_Drives_Computer_Upgrades

 

[CRAZYBUBBA]

Thanks for the responce
Ok so my next questions are :-

Ram - whats best/most 1G? I've opened it up and see there is samsung 256,
is it best to stick with samsung for macs?

Hard drive - is 80g the max? or can i go bigger

OS - Where do i get Tiger / 10.4 from? Do i actualy have to buy software!

I would say save yourself some cash and go for the wd caviar 80 gb 7200 rpm for about $50 online or at your local computer parts store.

 

[iCube]

I would say save yourself some cash and go for the wd caviar 80 gb 7200 rpm for about $50 online or at your local computer parts store.

A drive rescue rep told me WD drives are at the bottom of the list in quality.
With no regards to price, quiet vs. loud, speed etc. He ranks drives due to one thing... drive failures. He said WD keeps him in business.
-Just my input, no harm meant.

 

[CRAZYBUBBA]

A drive rescue rep told me WD drives are at the bottom of the list in quality.
With no regards to price, quiet vs. loud, speed etc. He ranks drives due to one thing... drive failures. He said WD keeps him in business.
-Just my input, no harm meant.

Of course, I value your input. i'll be sure to keep that in mind whenever i buy a new HD. I had just mentioned it because of the high cost of these other drives and the fact that my imac has been using one for over 6 months now.

 

[iCube]

BTW, replacing those hard drives is NOT for amateurs. Not only are there about a zillion screws to keep track of (all different sizes) but remember this is a CRT so you need to take high-voltage precautions every step of the way. Take it to somebody who knows what they're doing.

Actually, it's not too hard. My first HD install in a slot-loading G3 iMac took about an hour, not counting the OS install. Now I have it down to 15 minutes!!
I've done 5 of mine, 3 for my Dad and 1 for a friend! There are about 15 screws. The only screws that you have to be careful with are the ones on the outer edge of the heat shield. They may fall INTO the iMac! I turn mine on the side for these screws and use a magnetized screwdriver.
As CRAZYBUBBA mentioned, http://www.macworld.com/2001/10/bc/howtoimac/
is a great set of instructions!! Make sure you scroll down PAST the Tray-loader section and start at the Slot-loader section. Ignore the Tray-loader pictures too! If your current 5,400rpm 60GB HD is not whining too loud, just leave it in until it gets too loud. It doesn't have fluid dynamic bearings like modern 7,200rpm HD's, so they will get pretty loud with age.

 

[maccompaq]

A drive rescue rep told me WD drives are at the bottom of the list in quality.
With no regards to price, quiet vs. loud, speed etc. He ranks drives due to one thing... drive failures. He said WD keeps him in business.
-Just my input, no harm meant.

Interesting to say the least. I have heard that Maxtor and Seagate hard drives are bad and that WD hard drives are good. Perhaps Samsung is spreading bad rumors to increase their business.

 

[ktbubster]

Make sure you double check your specs for the cd drive type. I had a green imac (not sure what speed it was) and it had a combo drive and came with the dvd of bugslife, used to watch all sort of dvds on it, so it was definitely an option on the last run of imacs i'd assume. You probably do have a CDRW drive only, and sorry if you already mentioned that is what you have, but check the specs in about this mac anyway, you may be able to read DVDs.

 

[iCube]

Make sure you double check your specs for the cd drive type. I had a green imac (not sure what speed it was) and it had a combo drive...

The iMac pictured is "Graphite" it does look kinda green in that low light. You actually had a DVD-ROM drive only. A combo drive plays DVD's and burns CD's(CDRW). iMac G3's never came with combos. You probably had a 400MHz Lime iMac DV. I have a 400MHz Grape iMac DV that came with A Bug's Life also! The movie looks great on those iMacs! I bought mine in 2000.

 

[iCube]

Interesting to say the least. I have heard that Maxtor and Seagate hard drives are bad and that WD hard drives are good. Perhaps Samsung is spreading bad rumors to increase their business.

Apple uses all but WD from the factory.
Seagate was #3 on his list. He told me WD's are made in so many places by so many different people that you can't even swap parts between identical serial numbered HD's from different factories because the tolerances vary so much. He said Seagate drives have very high tolerances and specs. Seagate also bought Maxtor. Quantum drives were also very high quality according to him. By all means, WD probably has great drives out there. I am just passing on the reasons why he told me WD is on the bottom of his list. He mentioned something along the lines of writing his personal data on tissue and throwing it in the ocean before he would put it on a certain HD.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Glad I stumbled onto this thread...and this forum.

I recently purchased an iMac G3 700MHz 256MB 20GB CD-RW M5521..

I must say I am anxiously awaiting it's arrival.

Since I am basically the equivalent of a caveman when it comes to macs (and PC's for that matter), I was curious.... Is the RAM upgrade worth it?

I am told the unit I purchased comes with OS 10.4, with no discs. Will I run into any issues?

Also... WI-FI.... Are the after market USB wireless cards a good option for my g3? They claim to have better speed and range over an airport card.

Any other tips for improvement?

Cheers, Trout

 

[iCube]

Glad I stumbled onto this thread...and this forum.

I recently purchased an iMac G3 700MHz 256MB 20GB CD-RW M5521..

I must say I am anxiously awaiting it's arrival.

Since I am basically the equivalent of a caveman when it comes to macs (and PC's for that matter), I was curious.... Is the RAM upgrade worth it?

I am told the unit I purchased comes with OS 10.4, with no discs. Will I run into any issues?

Also... WI-FI.... Are the after market USB wireless cards a good option for my g3? They claim to have better speed and range over an airport card.

Any other tips for improvement?

Cheers, Trout

Cool! Great machine! I have many. You need a minimum of 512MB for 10.4 to run smoothly. Make sure you update it to 10.4.11 using "Software Update" under the Blue Apple (top left). Max out the RAM to 1 GB (1024MB) if you have the money and buy the highest quality possible. You'll need two 512MB sticks of 168-pin SDRAM PC100 or PC133. Forget the USB wireless card, get an "Original Apple Airport Card" (802.11b) with the iMac green adapter plate. It's around $100 for the set, it's well worth it!! There's an antenna wire inside your iMac near the spot where the card clicks it. Plug the wire into the card first. Open the RAM door underneath and check if there's an Airport Card inside and look for the antenna wire. You will love your iMac and OS X!!!!!
Later you can put a 7,200 rpm 120GB hard drive in to increase storage and performance. Set your Display to 800X600 when you get it. Get to know System Preferences, that's where the Display Preference is along with many other cool things! You will be a Mac pro before you know it!! Enjoy!

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Thanks iCube.

Max out the RAM to 1 GB (1024MB) if you have the money and buy the highest quality possible. You'll need two 512MB sticks of 168-pin SDRAM PC100 or PC133.

Define highest quality?
Would around $50 a stick be about right? Or should I look for a particular brand?

Also, with the original AirPort Card, do I need a software disc for/with it?

I appreciate the tips.

Cheers, KT

 

[iCube]

Thanks iCube.



Define highest quality?
Would around $50 a stick be about right? Or should I look for a particular brand?

Also, with the original AirPort Card, do I need a software disc for/with it?

I appreciate the tips.

Cheers, KT

You're welcome!
Are you planning to buy RAM from a retail store or online? If you are buying it from a store, the more expensive of two similar items isn't usually the best advice, but ask the saleperson which is better quality. I've seen 512 sticks side by side, one for $59 and the other for $79. The $59 might be fine, but I've gotten 2 bad 512 sticks. One Centon and one PNY. A year ago, 512 sticks were $120. If you are buying online, then by highest quality I meant just go to a reputable site like crucial.com. Here is what they have currently and they are guaranteed! Prices are $58 and $63, not bad!!
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=iMac (G3-500)

You don't need any software for the Airport Card. If you buy one, make sure it is the newer, more secure 128-bits card. The very first cards out were not 128-bits. It will say it on the back at the bottom center in small print.
Don't forget the green adapter card, so it can fit into your iMac!

 

[mgguy]

I have been using a G3 400 mz graphite iMac since 1999. Upgraded to 1G ram and 80G 7600 hard drive, and bought Pioneer disk burner. Running 10.4.10 and everything works great. Thought about upgrading to new iMac for Leopard, but really don't have a need for it. I can do everything very well with what I have--internet, photo, music, word processing, many other applications. It seems plenty fast to me. At first I really didn't like the bubble design, but it has grown on me and I love it now. This machine is always reliable, never crashes, and I have downloaded and used a lot of 3rd party software. Don't throw out those G3s!

 

[Kilgore Trout]

OK, few more questions.

1st.... RE: RAM.

Can I mix and match any two types/brands of (512) sticks..ie. one PC100 and one PC133..., or is it imperative that it be matched, or the same brand..??

I hope I asked that correctly; it may seem obvious to some.

Also which is "better" PC100 or PC133..??

Last but not least.....

I will obviously have to cross this bridge when I get there, but I was wondering.....my apartment is an "L" shaped second floor of an old farm house, my roommate, living at one end (with wire-less router) and I am at the other end...approx. 75' away obstructed for sure... Do I have any potential issues with AirPort card range?

I would have started another thread, but these questions seemed pertinent here...Thanks again (in Advance.)

 

[CRAZYBUBBA]

Mix and match the ram, no issues just make sure that it's compatible. PC100 or 133 is fine. I have pc100 in mine.

Airport is slow on these machines, wired would be the best.

OK, few more questions.

1st.... RE: RAM.

Can I mix and match any two types/brands of (512) sticks..ie. one PC100 and one PC133..., or is it imperative that it be matched, or the same brand..??

I hope I asked that correctly; it may seem obvious to some.

Also which is "better" PC100 or PC133..??

Last but not least.....

I will obviously have to cross this bridge when I get there, but I was wondering.....my apartment is an "L" shaped second floor of an old farm house, my roommate, living at one end (with wire-less router) and I am at the other end...approx. 75' away obstructed for sure... Do I have any potential issues with AirPort card range?

I would have started another thread, but these questions seemed pertinent here...Thanks again (in Advance.)

 

[mgguy]

You can also use PC100 and PC133 together--I have one of each, at 512mb each, in my Graphite G3. I use Tiger 4.10 and it flys with 1G ram.

 

[iCube]

Original Airport Cards (802.11b) 11Mbit/sec run plenty fast!!! Faster than Comcast Hi-Speed Internet ISP can put out!! Go wireless.

Newer Airport Extreme Cards (802.11g) run at 55Mbit/sec.

 

[shadow chao]

Calif Or turn one into a kitchen iTunes machine i see this post and im intressted in tho to do this will u tell me how to do it please i got one yesterday and i would love to do that....

 

[shadow chao]

g3

I've just been given1 G3 what the best thing i can do with it

 

[MAC-PRO-DEMON]

Hang it on your wall???

Oh.. and yeah, put Jaguar on them... that will work best... or OS9 if you are really not bothered...

I just have one in my office to look at

J