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broncopde

macrumors 6502
Original poster
May 12, 2007
262
1
Conway, AR
I stopped in for a book sale at the local public library and found a Powerbook 180c. I bought it for two dollars. The battery does not hold any charge but if I plug it into the charger it runs. When I turn it on though I only get a picture calling for a floppy drive. I assume this is because the hard drive has no OS on it and I need to install an OS from a floppy disk. So my question is what OS does this machine run and where could I obtain it?
 
Wow dude, that is sick that you got it for $2. I think it runs OS 7.1 but you can run 8.1 using Born Again. Look for OS 7.1 for now. Have fun with that thing!
 
I stopped in for a book sale at the local public library and found a Powerbook 180c. I bought it for two dollars. The battery does not hold any charge but if I plug it into the charger it runs. When I turn it on though I only get a picture calling for a floppy drive. I assume this is because the hard drive has no OS on it and I need to install an OS from a floppy disk. So my question is what OS does this machine run and where could I obtain it?

It supports anything from OS7.1 through 7.6.1. Apple made OS 7.5.x available for free download (I don't have the URL handy, but a quick search on the Apple downloads site should turn it up). Your only problem then is copying the files to a series of Mac-formatted floppies.
 
7.5.5 would be your best choice. 7.1 is a bit snappier, but 7.5 has more features and it's free from apple.

Used a 180 for ages, its a really neat machine with a very good keyboard.
 
Depends on how much RAM it has. If it's the standard 4mb, forget about running anything but 7.1.
 
Ram

Depends on how much RAM it has. If it's the standard 4mb, forget about running anything but 7.1.

It does indeed have only 4 MB of RAM. How difficult to find/worth it would it be to update the memory in this machine? Thanks for the replies guys. This machine is pretty cool even not yet running. :)
 
It does indeed have only 4 MB of RAM. How difficult to find/worth it would it be to update the memory in this machine? Thanks for the replies guys. This machine is pretty cool even not yet running. :)

Maybe eBay, or perhaps the Low End Mac swap list would be your best bets. Keep in mind that the 180c memory module is different than the 180 (not color) memory module. You'll need to find a module for either the 165c or 180c, as both machines use the same type. I wouldn't bother spending more than a few bucks.

The 180c is a neat computer, the first color Mac laptop which was actually usable! The 165c (which I have), has the worst LCD screen ever made. It's terrible. I can't overstate how much it sucks. :D
 
Have a Powerbook 180c for sale - 16 Megs of RAM

I have a working ethernet adaptor, and a working external hard drive. The battery is dead, but the computer works great. Will consider all interesting offers!

John
 
No, sadly

Were these the PowerBooks that could be "plugged" into a larger system, making a desktop computer? Duo or something like that?

~Crawn

No, sadly it is not. Although maybe that's a good thing cause then I'd have to be looking high and dry for the docking station.
 
I will Buy this

I've been looking all over for one of these! I'll pay you $30 via pay pal plus shipping and haldling. I'd like to send it through Canda Post express and I'd also like you to send me the tracking number.
If you area considering doing any of this i would like to ask you if you have fixed the OS situation?
 
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