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CheeseBread365

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 27, 2017
141
13
Ann Arbor, MI
I got a PowerMac g5 off the internet, fixed it up, and tried to do something with it. after all, it is a nice computer. Unfortunately, almost nothing is supported on it. It does not even support FireFox, or Minecraft.
I am confused on what to do with the computer. Any suggestions?


(the problem has been solved thanks for the help guys! I will leave this thread up for people with the same question that I had to view)
 
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I got a PowerMac g5 off the internet, fixed it up, and tried to do something with it. after all, it is a nice computer. Unfortunately, almost nothing is supported on it. It does not even support FireFox, or Minecraft.
I am confused on what to do with the computer. Any suggestions?

Firefox?

http://www.floodgap.com/software/tenfourfox/

Minecraft?

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-cider-powerpcs-minecraft-solution.1827849/

Something faster than Firefox?

https://sourceforge.net/projects/leopard-webkit/

All the other things?

https://ppcappstore.wordpress.com/

Just slap OS X Leopard on it and you're good to go. If you'd like an OS that doesn't look so outdated by today's standards, this may help.

http://www.leopardrebirth.net/

Max out the RAM, upgrade the hard drive to a 7200rpm if you haven't already, and get out all the dust within. Your machine will be very happy.

Questions? I'm all ears. I am the master of PowerPC living.

EDIT: Damn it, jbarley beat me to it by mere minutes. And I had the more helpful comment!
 
I got a PowerMac g5 off the internet, fixed it up, and tried to do something with it. after all, it is a nice computer. Unfortunately, almost nothing is supported on it. It does not even support FireFox, or Minecraft.
I am confused on what to do with the computer. Any suggestions?
Question…

Did you think when you bought it that you were getting a Mac capable of running the latest Mac OS and apps?

If so, you probably didn't know that the last G5 was sold in early 2006 before the Intel transition.

PowerMacs are PowerPC Macs and do not contain Intel chips, which the newer Macs do.

Whch way you go now depends on what you wish to do with the facts I just gave you.
 
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@eyoungren, yes i do know the PowerMacG5 is from before the intel transaction. i am aware it is very old, and is not capable of running sierra or el capitan. i only got the computer to add to my collection, but i wanted to do something with it before i set it on a shelf to rot away for years.

thanks for the tips jbarley and z970mp!
 
@eyoungren, yes i do know the PowerMacG5 is from before the intel transaction. i am aware it is very old, and is not capable of running sierra or el capitan. i only got the computer to add to my collection, but i wanted to do something with it before i set it on a shelf to rot away for years.
I'm just asking…no insults meant.

From time to time we get new users through the forums that are upset that their Mac won't run the latest anything and are entirely unaware of the difference between the two kinds of Macs.

Since you aren't one of those then I would just say that the G5 is entirely usable. I have three of them and there's one at work that did what I do for years (graphic design, ad design, page layout, etc).

Being willing to find the apps that work and putting some effort into workarounds is what can make these machines remain relevant.

Do you have anything specific in mind or at least some general idea of what you want to do with the Mac?
 
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@eyoungren, yes i do know the PowerMacG5 is from before the intel transaction. i am aware it is very old, and is not capable of running sierra or el capitan. i only got the computer to add to my collection, but i wanted to do something with it before i set it on a shelf to rot away for years.


thanks for the tips jbarley and z970mp!

Sell it to someone who will care for it before you let it rot away for years. The poor thing doesn't deserve that, it deserves to have a long, full life, just like any other computer.

I sincerely hope you didn't buy it just to set it on a shelf for the sake of looking cool.

I hate people that do that.
 
It might be better to propose what you want it to do and then ask for help how to do that.

A G5, in particular a Dual model (or Quad) can web browse, play 1080P video, produce music, game, create design etc etc
 
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no im not going to let it sit on a shelf for display or anything, i just have no where else to put it when im not using it.

I tryed out that "leopard rebirth" thing and it looks awesome! thanks z970mp
 
no im not going to let it sit on a shelf for display or anything, i just have no where else to put it when im not using it.

I tryed out that "leopard rebirth" thing and it looks awesome! thanks z970mp

You're very welcome.

Like I said before, you need anything else, ask us. The PowerPC forums are your #1 source.

We're all very glad to help.
 
@eyoungren Yes i do have in mind what i want to do with the G5. I want to make it into a usable home computer that i can use for internet browsing. sort of like a spare computer for quick internet searches etc.
 
@eyoungren Yes i do have in mind what i want to do with the G5. I want to make it into a usable home computer that i can use for internet browsing. sort of like a spare computer for quick internet searches etc.

If that is your wish, then I do believe you will be very happy with it.
 
i have download the "leopard rebirth" theme but how do i remove it?

That's the catch. You can't remove it without reinstalling Leopard.

We're trying to get SourceSunTom to implement an uninstaller, but there are no guarantees.

Sorry.
 
FWIW, I have a dual 2.7 that serves as a workstation for me for doing a lot of photo work. I use it specifically FOR legacy compatibility reasons with some of the hardware(scanners) I use.

Then there's also playing the games I grew up with. I have various different computers for that, especially since most of them are OS 9 titles and I prefer natively running OS 9, although I do run some on the G5.
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I sincerely hope you didn't buy it just to set it on a shelf for the sake of looking cool.

I hate people that do that.

I have a lot of computers that sit around and don't get used often, if ever. Many of them are part of larger collections of computers. There are others that I don't use because I lack important parts to make them work(anyone have a lead on a mouse for an SGI Iris Indigo?).

Many of the computers I have would have ended up in the dump if I hadn't taken them on...which would you prefer?
 
FWIW, I have a dual 2.7 that serves as a workstation for me for doing a lot of photo work. I use it specifically FOR legacy compatibility reasons with some of the hardware(scanners) I use.

Then there's also playing the games I grew up with. I have various different computers for that, especially since most of them are OS 9 titles and I prefer natively running OS 9, although I do run some on the G5.
[doublepost=1503952592][/doublepost]

I have a lot of computers that sit around and don't get used often, if ever. Many of them are part of larger collections of computers. There are others that I don't use because I lack important parts to make them work(anyone have a lead on a mouse for an SGI Iris Indigo?).

Many of the computers I have would have ended up in the dump if I hadn't taken them on...which would you prefer?

Yeah, but there is a difference between positioning a *perfectly functioning* computer that is *capable of getting work done* on a shelf for all eternity, and not getting around to a computer on standby because of a lack of peripherals or a lack of time. If it cannot be used for work, it can be used for fun. If usage for fun is still unapplicable, it should be sold to a more active owner.

Do the SGI Iris Indigo mice have the same connectors as the ones for the Indigo2 and Octane? I've got a few, and I believe they are available on eBay.
 
The Iris Indigo mouse is proprietary. The Indigo2 and Octane use a standard PS/2 peripherals.

BTW, I choose what stays and goes in my collection-not you.
 
@eyoungren Yes i do have in mind what i want to do with the G5. I want to make it into a usable home computer that i can use for internet browsing. sort of like a spare computer for quick internet searches etc.
If all you want is quick web browsing, i.e not a customizable browser, I might suggest downloading Demeter and relinking it to Leopard Webkit.

Demeter is one of the fastest Webkit browsers I have ever found and LWK will bring it up to date, or as up to date as LWK is anyway.

For the record, T4Fx (TenFourFox) is equivalent in speed to Firefox on an Intel Mac if you adopt at least some of my tweaks (link in my signature). Especially on a G5. But only if you are looking at customization over speed.
 
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You could turn a G5 into a Linux machine. It will have much better supported software that way. Could be faster too, depending on the distribution.
 
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Which PMG5 did you get cheesebread? Fwiw TFF on my dual 2.0 works very well for surfing & paying taxes.
 
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