Computers General

[VonDaab]

Nifty, have you got any plans for it?

If the CPU is still good, I've got a cooler ordered for it. If not good, I've seen Pentiums and Celerons for same socket for cheap here.

I guess end goal is a XP gaming machine, as the Matrox gpu can do basic 3D games, but should be good for stuff like Aoe2 and HoMM3. NOLF would be nice to run too. Radeon 9600 wouldnt be an excessive investment either, and thats a card that can already run HL2.

Might have to get an IDE to Sata adapter, as I dont expect its HDD being in that fresh shape. It does have a burning CDRom drive though, which is neat.

Its MB can handle 1Gb ram per slot (has 3 slots), so might put a decent amount of it, even if its slow as molasses PC133. At least that ram is cheap. Seen 256mb sticks go for less than 10bucks.

Though a fully kitted out Saseko with 3Gb ram would be funny.

[VonDaab]

Well, took the risk of powering it on without the cooler.
No picture and a very long beep on boot.
Checking ram, noticed oxidation on the pins and slot. Not a huge amount, but looks like the system needs a full tear-down and de-oxit after all. Otherwise a very clean system.

the AGP slot has also something that looks like oxidation.

PSU fan and HDD do spin up. But might need to take out the PSU and test it's voltages.

Also realised the chipset does only support 512mb Ram sticks at max, so in total can only get 1.5gb of ram on it, if all slots are functional.

[tekuafool He/Him]

All this drawing of the macOS girls made me want to try out the operating systems themselves on bare metal (have some in virtual machines but it is not enough).

Recently got a iBook G4 since I want to try either Mac OS 9, Tiger or MorphOS, even. It didn't come with a battery nor a power cable, and something is rattling inside. So, want it or not, I'll have to open it but that will have to wait.

Then got a Macbook Pro, replaced the disk drive with a HDD/SSD adapter and installed Lion, Mavericks and El Capitan.

And a Mac mini for Catalina.

[VonDaab]

OS 9 is neat, even if very shortlived OS. Not sure where they draw the line in support though, that is how modern hardware can run it.

[Goujer (she/her)]

Most G4 Macs can run OS9. But if it's one of the newer models you may need to get a modded install disk.

I used to love repairing old Macs. My own iBook G4 is waiting for me in my storage unit. I have to replace the backlight though. I should find her again.

I always wanted to try MorphOS or some of the other OSes on my old Macs.

[VonDaab]

I am counting myself quite lucky today.
I had completely forgotten that I still got the original PRAM batteries in my iMacs, some post on reddit of an exploded battery and completely totaled motherboard reminded me of this.

Got home and immediately cracked open my imacs, and somehow both batteries were intact. Even the second one with a Maxell that apparently is quite prone to leaking.




Bondi Blue is an original launch, 233mhz, Revision A, with the 2mb Ati Rage IIc.
Green one is of the Fruity Colors, 333mhz with the 6mb Ati Rage Pro Turbo. Both obviously Tray Loaders.
Bondi Blue had a HDD back when I received them, as some office was gonna toss them in the skip. Green one didn't have a drive, but I remember powering it up back then at it seemed functional.


I've ordered a Sata to IDE adapter, if I could get the Green one back in shape running off a 120gb SSD, but should be also looking for some sticks of ram too. I remember scavenging a 256mb stick of ram from the Green to the Bondi Blue, though 320mb combined is kinda overkill for OS 9 use. Being Rev.A, it supposedly supports only up to 384mb. Apparently the G3s support video ram upgrade too, as Bondi Blue has a stick of it, Green doesnt.