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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Upgrading Possibilities For Agp G4 400 Mhz

mishimac - Jun 27, 2005 - 6:49 pm

Hello,

I'm looking for some advice/direction on what my ugrading possibilites are for my AGP G4 400 MHz. My computer is running out of disk space and I'm thinking about adding another hard drive, more RAM, and maybe upgrading the Processor? I don't really know what is possible with this machine.

I did add more RAM a long while back, and currently have one 128 MB SDRAM, and one 256MB. I'm using OSX 10.2.8, and would like to use Tiger if possible, so that I can use more recent software (like a newer version of Safari!)

My computer hardware knowledge is limited, though I'm fairly knowledgeable with software (especially graphic design related applications) and internet usage.

Thanks,
Michelle

DeltaMac - Jun 27, 2005 - 7:20 pm

If you are upgrading, you should make sure that your firmware is up-to-date. You can download and install the firmware updater HERE - http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120068
If you run this updater, and it reports you are already up-to-date, then OK....

You can install as much as 512 MB of PC-100, or PC-133 SDRAM in each of the 4 slots in your G4, so you COULD have as much as 2 GB of memory.
You can install a second hard drive. It will sit on top of the existing hard drive. The connections for a second hard drive are all right there. The second drive must be set through jumpers as a slave drive. If you add a drive, and can't figure out the jumpers, come back here for help.
You can install the current version of OS X 10.4 (Tiger). This will work easiest if you have a DVD-ROM in the system. Some G4s do not.
There are companies that make upgrade processors for your your G4. Sonnet is good, and you can check at OWC.com for other possible upgrades.

Come back here if you have more questions
- Dale

mishimac - Jun 28, 2005 - 12:47 am

Thank you for your quick response!

I do think that adding a second hard drive and some additional RAM might be the best choice at this point, especially cost wise. Updating the processor can be something we do later on.

In terms of using Tiger, my understanding was that our current system and processor didn't have enough "power" to support Tiger, and that we would have a lot of problems trying to run it. Is this the case? Is it better to stick with our current OS, and then switch to Tiger if/when we upgrade the processor? Or could we switch to Tiger once we upgrade just the hard drive and RAM?

Thanks again,
Michelle

mishimac - Jun 28, 2005 - 1:00 am

Oh, and one more question. I have an internal ZIP drive in this Mac too. Will it need to be removed to make space for an additional hard drive?

Thanks,
Michelle

DeltaMac - Jun 28, 2005 - 6:52 am

You can upgrade to Tiger, and do nothing else.
Read my post about adding the second drive. It will just sit on top of the existing one. Oh yes, you can't add a drive larger than 120GB. That's the maximum size your logic board will support.
You would also be OK with your existing memory, but OS X, especially Tiger, will operate more efficiently if you have more than 512 MB, and some recommend more.

- Dale

mishimac - Jun 28, 2005 - 10:52 am

I can't upgrade to Tiger with my lack of disk space right now (around 380 MB available!)

Please don't insinuate that I didn't read your post about adding the second drive. I needed clarification about whether my ZIP was in that spot or not (I didn't mention my ZIP in my original query, and thought it might make a difference in what I could do), and I'm not looking at the inside of my CPU right now...REMEMBER, as I mentioned, I've got very limited knowledge about hardware, and that's why I'm asking for help! I've also never owned a Mac, before my G4, that had much room for upgrading.

Good to know about the 120GB limit for the hard drive. I will look to get the maximum RAM.

Thank you,
Michelle

DeltaMac - Jun 28, 2005 - 2:49 pm

I see why you want to have added drive space.
I apologize - sometimes I make assumptions about someone's knowledge. You also don't know how I work. I will mention here if I think you will need other hardware work as part of some maintenance, but I should have simply answered your question - thanks for the wakeup....
Even if you choose to do nothing, 380MB of space is critically low. You should try to free up enough to be left with 1 - 1.5 GB of free space, more if possible.

- Dale

mishimac - Jun 28, 2005 - 10:57 pm

I'll try to free up some space. I think that iPhoto is probably one of the major culprits. Perhaps if I backed up more photos and removed a bunch of them, I can free up some space. The lack of disk space is creating some problems now...especially with the dock. But I'll definitely add another hard drive...and that option has become much more attractive since prices have come down. Is there any other pertinent info I need for selecting the right drive?

Thanks for all your help, Dale!

Cheers,
Michelle