Help me set up my Power Mac G4 DA

[Apple Fan 2008]

Hi all,
I was wondering if you could help me find a CPU upgrade for a Power Mac G4 Digital Audio 733mhz (PowerMac3,4). Preferably a dual processor upgrade. If it helps I know they're related to quicksilver models.
Sincerely, Apple Fan 2008

P.S will this work? https://www.ebay.com/itm/133777532510?epid=141736561&hash=item1f25c3265e:g:CWoAAOSw-Ttgtm39


also how do I get an airport card on a Wi-Fi 6 Network

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

Also another question if I upgrade the CPU can I upgrade the RAM to beyond 1.5 GB?

 

[Amethyst1]

Also another question if I upgrade the CPU can I upgrade the RAM to beyond 1.5 GB?

No.

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

Ok

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

But do you know what processor upgrades will work?

 

[weckart]

Mine came with a processor upgrade already in it, a Sonnet ST G4 single processor 1.6GHz. The dual versions should work as well and most top out at 1.8GHz.

Sales of processor upgrades on eBay are at very high prices. Your best bet would be to see if you can spot a PowerMac with one already in it and hope that nobody else does so it doesn't go to a bidding war. The Sonnet ST upgrades have tell-tale purple heatsinks.

Other manufacturers were Newertech with its MaxPower range and PowerLogix. I have a Gigadesign upgrade in my Cube so that's another one.

This Everymac listing should help you

Power Mac G4 "AGP-Based" Compatible Upgrade Cards: EveryMac.com

Processor upgrade cards that are compatible with AGP, Gigabit, Digital Audio, Quicksilver, and Quicksilver 2002 Power Mac G4 models.

everymac.com

 

[weckart]

P.S will this work? https://www.ebay.com/itm/133777532510?epid=141736561&hash=item1f25c3265e:g:CWoAAOSw-Ttgtm39

Specifically, that is for a MDD. I think it may work on a DA as they are very similar in design to the Quicksilver but the layout and screw holes plus the heatsink might prove too much to fit into the DA. I can't be sure of this as I have never tried swapping my cards around.

 

[ervus]

That CPU is out of a MDD and will not fit a DA. I made a little guide for this series of computers re CPU upgrades:

forums.macrumors.com/threads/cpu-upgrades-the-powermac-g4-digital-audio-da.2322393/

Basically, you can swap apple CPUs from within this series but the ones from before (ZIF) and after (MDD/Xserve) are different. For aftermarket, there were a lot of options from companies like Sonnet, Powerlogix, NewerTechnology, OWC, Giga Designs, Fastmac, etc.

 

[MysticCow]

I feel bad now that I still use the stock 733 MHz in mine. And the old GeForce card!

They run Leopard fine and 9 still works like a charm.

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

Thanks, but do you have any good places to buy

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

I want this cleared up, but it seems the firmware upgrades require specific mac os's. Does this mean I cant install Public beta, 10.0, 10.1,10.2, or 9 versions before 9.2

 

[ervus]

Thanks, but do you have any good places to buy

ebay, 68kmla and DV Wareshouse are the places I know about. For local stuff you could try craigslist, facepalm™ or goodwill, etc...

 

[MysticCow]

I want this cleared up, but it seems the firmware upgrades require specific mac os's. Does this mean I cant install Public beta, 10.0, 10.1,10.2, or 9 versions before 9.2

The firmware update MUST BE INSTALLED in MacOS 9. Here is what I’d do:

1. Partition the hard drive with a 10 GB OS 9, 10 GB emergency recovery partition (more on this later), 3 GB emergency (same), and the rest for OS X. Make sure the firmware update AND the 9.2.2 update is on a USB stick.

2. Install OS 9 to that 10 GB partition. This is overkill for OS 9, but I’ve found myself coming back to 9 more often than not anymore.

3. Copy the firmware update to OS 9 and run it. Follow all instructions. Then install 9.2.2. Do it in this order.

4. Install OS X to the largest partition on that drive. Get all needed updates on a USB stick and install away.

5. Use OS X’s restore feature to “restore” the OS X installer to your 10 GB emergency AND the OS 9 installer to your 3 GB emergency. Now you never have to find those installer discs again and can repair if needed.

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

The firmware update MUST BE INSTALLED in MacOS 9. Here is what I’d do:

1. Partition the hard drive with a 10 GB OS 9, 10 GB emergency recovery partition (more on this later), 3 GB emergency (same), and the rest for OS X. Make sure the firmware update AND the 9.2.2 update is on a USB stick.

2. Install OS 9 to that 10 GB partition. This is overkill for OS 9, but I’ve found myself coming back to 9 more often than not anymore.

3. Copy the firmware update to OS 9 and run it. Follow all instructions. Then install 9.2.2. Do it in this order.

4. Install OS X to the largest partition on that drive. Get all needed updates on a USB stick and install away.

5. Use OS X’s restore feature to “restore” the OS X installer to your 10 GB emergency AND the OS 9 installer to your 3 GB emergency. Now you never have to find those installer discs again and can repair if needed.

only one problem, it's USB 1.1.

 

[MysticCow]

only one problem, it's USB 1.1

Doesn’t matter

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

I currently have 9.2.2 and 10.4.11 installed. But maybe later Ill install the public beta.

 

[MysticCow]

I currently have 9.2.2 and 10.4.11 installed. But maybe later Ill install the public beta.

If it has that config then the firmware update is already installed. It was needed to install 10.2 and higher. The processor upgrade might need an additional firmware update which, still, can only be done in 9.

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

Ok real quick, how do I force a power mac to go to tv supported resolutions eg. 480p, 1024x768, 1080p, because my tv does not support the resolution the power mac is pushing.

 

[Amethyst1]

Ok real quick, how do I force a power mac to go to tv supported resolutions eg. 480p, 1024x768, 1080p, because my tv does not support the resolution the power mac is pushing.

What GPU does your Mac have and how is it connected to the TV? If it’s DVI/HDMI, try VGA if your TV has that.

Re: your question: Aside from mucking around in OpenFirmware — if there’s an OS installed on it, set that up for remote access (VNC et al.) and mess with the resolution from a remote session; or connect another compatible monitor in addition to the TV and mess with the resolution using that.

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

I feel bad now that I still use the stock 733 MHz in mine. And the old GeForce card!

They run Leopard fine and 9 still works like a charm.

I didn't get my upgrade yet that's why I was asking.
and my story is similar.

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

What GPU does your Mac have and how is it connected to the TV? If it’s DVI/HDMI, try VGA if your TV has that.

Re: your question: Aside from mucking around in OpenFirmware — if there’s an OS installed on it, set that up for remote access (VNC et al.) and mess with the resolution from a remote session; or connect another compatible monitor in addition to the TV and mess with the resolution using that.

i'm using the stock graphics card, and I'm using a VGA to HDMI adapter, because my TV does not have VGA it's too new.

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

I'll try leopard, but only if I can triple boot between OS 9, Tiger, and Leopard.

 

[Amethyst1]

i'm using the stock graphics card, and I'm using a VGA to HDMI adapter, because my TV does not have VGA it's too new.

Are you sure it’s a VGA to HDMI adapter, not a HDMI to VGA one?
These are not bidirectional!

I'll try leopard, but only if I can triple boot between OS 9, Tiger, and Leopard.

No problem.

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

Are you sure it’s a VGA to HDMI adapter, not a HDMI to VGA one?
These are not bidirectional!

It has a VGA and USB plug that goes into the computer.
I used just yesterday it's just annoying to get another display to fix the resultion. But it's not that big of a deal.

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

I was very stupid, I partitioned my drive wrong and deleted EVERYTHING. But I have a back up there’s just one problem the DMG won’t mount.