What have you done with a PowerPC today?

[ToniCH]

Hi, I was yesterday at my storage unit and found my old PowerBook 540c. I haven't even seen the machine for 25+ years. I thought it would be nice to see if it still works so I took it home.

When I opened the lid it says PowerPC on top of the screen. I have no recollection if I upgraded it to PPC or not but I cannot see any other reason for that marking to be on the machine. At this point I need to state that I have owned 100+ Macs over the years and upgraded them hundreds or more ways, so I really cannot remember the details on all of them, especially the oldest ones I still have stocked somewhere.

I took the batteries out (I found 3 of them) and plugged it into power. It chimes, the screen comes on, mouse pointer appears on the screen and I can move it with the touchpad. But, then I can only hear sad hard disk noises, it seems like the head moves but the platters do not spin up.

At this time I also realized that I don't have any OS disks with me. I did spot some for Powerbook Duo and PowerMac 6100 at the storage but no general installation disks.

So, now I wonder that what could I replace the hdd with to make it bootable again? Something like BlueSCSI or something? Preferably plug and play solution with a CF or SD card or...?

And now I opened the machine to find it has a 603E 100MHz and a 16MB RAM upgrade in it! What OS disks or images I would need to make a compatible installation to the memory card? Did the PPC upgrades need some special drivers? I think the CPU upgrade is Apple stuff, so maybe not.

Any tips or search terms, video links etc. are most appreciated.

 

[TheShortTimer]

@ToniCH I can't offer much advice on the technical aspects as these types of Macs are not my speciality but I wanted to compliment you on what appears to be an immaculate 540c and hope that you get it up and running again.

As for the BlueSCSI, I use a ZuluSCSI with my Macintosh SE and it boots and runs stuff in seconds.

 

[jktwice]

And now I opened the machine to find it has a 603E 100MHz and a 16MB RAM upgrade in it! What OS disks or images I would need to make a compatible installation to the memory card? Did the PPC upgrades need some special drivers? I think the CPU upgrade is Apple stuff, so maybe not.

I don't think it does? At least from what I'm reading online and seeing from the Action Retro video. His nuPowr upgrade didn't have the control panel with it but it booted Mac OS 8/System 7 just fine.

If you want to be safer than sorry you can always install Mac OS 8.1 or something like that, but you will need a working CD drive and will need to plug it into your PowerBook somehow.

 

[ToniCH]

As for the BlueSCSI, I use a ZuluSCSI with my Macintosh SE and it boots and runs stuff in seconds.

Thanks, I'll take a look at that one too. I also have some other oldies I would like to get operational at some stage and its more than likely most SCSI drives I have are dead by now.

I don't think it does? At least from what I'm reading online and seeing from the Action Retro video. His nuPowr upgrade didn't have the control panel with it but it booted Mac OS 8/System 7 just fine.

If you want to be safer than sorry you can always install Mac OS 8.1 or something like that, but you will need a working CD drive and will need to plug it into your PowerBook somehow.

I also watched Action Retros video and he said that Apple even sold these 500-series with PPC upgrade installed in the end. And I think he also said they offered upgrades beforehand and the machines originally even came with red PPC Ready stickers, which I remember seeing myself.

But, I am hoping no drivers are needed.

I do have an external SCSI CD-drive somewhere in my boxes of computer stuff. Maybe I'll need to locate it if I cannot get working diskette set from somewhere.

One thing I am wondering: how do I format the memory card? Does OS 7/8 installer know how to do it?

 

[TheShortTimer]

One thing I am wondering: how do I format the memory card? Does OS 7/8 installer know how to do it?

Which memory card are you referring to, the SD card that you'll use with the SCSI card reader? If so, I formatted a MicroSD card using an Intel Mac IIRC to FAT32, downloaded a ready made image from the Internet Archive that contained everything I needed (for System 6) and copied it onto the SD card, where I changed the image's file extension from .VHD to .HDA and renamed the image "HD1.HDA."

From there, it just auto-booted.

 

[ToniCH]

Which memory card are you referring to, the SD card that you'll use with the SCSI card reader?

Yes, that one.

If so, I formatted a MicroSD card using an Intel Mac IIRC to FAT32, downloaded a ready made image from the Internet Archive that contained everything I needed (for System 6) and copied it onto the SD card, where I changed the image's file extension from .VHD to .HDA and renamed the image "HD1.HDA."

From there, it just auto-booted.

Ok. this is the info I was looking for. Thanks!

 

[TheShortTimer]

Ok. this is the info I was looking for. Thanks!

You're welcome. I found it much easier to download a pre-made image as they come with everything that you'd want - productivity, utilities and games than to go down the route of using an emulator to prepare one and then after that, dig around for the software that I want to run.

If you run into any problems, let me know and I'll see what I can do to help.

 

[ToniCH]

Yes, you are right - ready made image with most stuff I would want or need is the way to go. It's not like I will use this machine for any actual work in the end. It would just be very cool to see it work again. 👍

 

[ToniCH]

Well, I have one of these somewhere. I guess I need to go through my vintage stuff parts boxes!

Ps. "Tested by our professional technician". I would like to ask the Japanese seller for a pic with the 500-series machine and the PCMCIA box with date for proof of testing it. Maybe they have one or maybe not.

Ps2. it seems that I have to order a CMOS battery from somewhere. One video stated that bad battery could cause non boot and other weirdness. It seems to be 2 3V coin cells in series and a suitable connector. Could be made by myself but if I can find a ready made it would be one less project for me. But, I should buy a spot welder for such projects some day, would make everything easier.

 

[TheShortTimer]

Ps2. it seems that I have to order a CMOS battery from somewhere. One video stated that bad battery could cause non boot and other weirdness. It seems to be 2 3V coin cells in series and a suitable connector. Could be made by myself but if I can find a ready made it would be one less project for me. But, I should buy a spot welder for such projects some day, would make everything easier.

Here's the coin cell holder that I installed on my Sega Dreamcast to replace its soldered-in CMOS battery (why did you do that, Sega? Why?) allowing it to use a replaceable ML2032:

If the batteries are present on the motherboard two in a row then a couple of these should sort you out. I bought mine from Amazon UK but they're available from a variety of places - unless Apple used some non-standard arrangement... You could test the current batteries with a multi-meter to confirm their operational status.

 

[ToniCH]

If the batteries are present on the motherboard two in a row then a couple of these should sort you out. I bought mine from Amazon UK but they're available from a variety of places - unless Apple used some non-standard arrangement... You could test the current batteries with a multi-meter to confirm their operational status.

I think this is the one. I could of course take the original and transfer the wiring to a pair of new batteries and then shrink wrap the whole thing. I am sure the originals are dead after 30 years. And in any case they are located in such a place that after I open all of that (fragile plastics) I will surely install a new pair.