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TICKET ARCHIVE -> New Mac User: Given An Ibook G3
eurotravguy - Jul 29, 2005 - 3:32 pm
I'm new to Mac. I was recently given an iBook with Mac OS X 10.1.4, 128mb of memory, and PowerPC G3 processor. I was told it could not support the new OS X Tiger, but can support Panther.
Is it possible to use the Mac OS X install disks that come with a ibook G4 on the iBook G3?
How can I wipe out the the Mac to have a fresh install of OS X 10.3 Panther?
Do I need more memory?
Is it possible to use the Mac OS X install disks that come with a ibook G4 on the iBook G3?
How can I wipe out the the Mac to have a fresh install of OS X 10.3 Panther?
Do I need more memory?
Cheryl - Jul 29, 2005 - 5:16 pm
Marc,
Welcome to the world of Mac. I can help ease your worries and help you with your iBook.
First, is the iBook a 300 Mhz or 366 or is it higher? This is important as that is what will determine if it can handle Tiger or not.
To find out your processor speed, go to the Apple menu at the far top left of your screen, Click and hold on it and select About this Mac. The window that comes up will tell you exactly what your processor speed is as well as how much memory is installed and what OS version you are using.
No, it is not possible to use a Mac install disk that has G4, iBook G4 or any other model except the one you have. You can upgrade with the full install CDs.
There is a web site that has some good deals on software.
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/osx-center/
Panther (10.3) is only $49.00
There are different ways to do the install. If you have CDs of all the programs you wish to install - then a clean install is the best. This will get rid of all the files from the previous owner and allow you to start fresh.
If you do not have the installers - and wish to keep those programs that are already on the iBook, then an archive install is in order. This will not touch any programs or your home folder. It will install a fresh new system folder and rename the old one Previous System.
128 MB of memory is the bare minimum. I do suggest you add another 256 MB to the iBook. You will see a big improvement.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
Welcome to the world of Mac. I can help ease your worries and help you with your iBook.
First, is the iBook a 300 Mhz or 366 or is it higher? This is important as that is what will determine if it can handle Tiger or not.
To find out your processor speed, go to the Apple menu at the far top left of your screen, Click and hold on it and select About this Mac. The window that comes up will tell you exactly what your processor speed is as well as how much memory is installed and what OS version you are using.
No, it is not possible to use a Mac install disk that has G4, iBook G4 or any other model except the one you have. You can upgrade with the full install CDs.
There is a web site that has some good deals on software.
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/osx-center/
Panther (10.3) is only $49.00
There are different ways to do the install. If you have CDs of all the programs you wish to install - then a clean install is the best. This will get rid of all the files from the previous owner and allow you to start fresh.
If you do not have the installers - and wish to keep those programs that are already on the iBook, then an archive install is in order. This will not touch any programs or your home folder. It will install a fresh new system folder and rename the old one Previous System.
128 MB of memory is the bare minimum. I do suggest you add another 256 MB to the iBook. You will see a big improvement.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
eurotravguy - Jul 29, 2005 - 6:17 pm
Thanks for your help. you're awesome!
i clicked "about this mac" but it does not specify the processor speed just type...PowerPC G3.
Is there somewhere else I can look for the speed?
i clicked "about this mac" but it does not specify the processor speed just type...PowerPC G3.
Is there somewhere else I can look for the speed?
Cheryl - Jul 29, 2005 - 6:36 pm
Marc,
Go to Applications>Utilities. Open the Apple System Profiler. It may be called just System Profiler.
When that open - you want to look under Hardware.
This is also another way to check for a specific model. Turn the iBook around and look at the ports. Can you give me a list of what ports you have?
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
Go to Applications>Utilities. Open the Apple System Profiler. It may be called just System Profiler.
When that open - you want to look under Hardware.
This is also another way to check for a specific model. Turn the iBook around and look at the ports. Can you give me a list of what ports you have?
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
eurotravguy - Jul 29, 2005 - 8:25 pm
Serial number: uv220110lq0
mac os x 10.1.4 (sr106)
128mb
backside l2 cache: 512k
powerpc g3 600mhz
ports: modem, network slot, firewire slot(i think), 2 usb, monitor, and headphone
mac os x 10.1.4 (sr106)
128mb
backside l2 cache: 512k
powerpc g3 600mhz
ports: modem, network slot, firewire slot(i think), 2 usb, monitor, and headphone
Cheryl - Jul 30, 2005 - 8:39 am
Marc,
You have a cute white iBook (16 VRAM) which can handle Tiger. It was introduced in May, 2002 so it is not that old of a machine. But I do recommend adding more Ram to it.
256MB would make it run smoothly.
http://www.memory.com/item.asp?item=AP007
when you got the iBook, did you also get the CDs that came with it? In particular there is Apple Hardware Test CD that should not get lost. In case of a problem, you may need to use it.
Do you have any other questions that I can help you with?
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
You have a cute white iBook (16 VRAM) which can handle Tiger. It was introduced in May, 2002 so it is not that old of a machine. But I do recommend adding more Ram to it.
256MB would make it run smoothly.
http://www.memory.com/item.asp?item=AP007
when you got the iBook, did you also get the CDs that came with it? In particular there is Apple Hardware Test CD that should not get lost. In case of a problem, you may need to use it.
Do you have any other questions that I can help you with?
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
eurotravguy - Jul 31, 2005 - 7:29 pm
it's great to hear that i can have tiger installed. i did get all the cds and the box that the ibook originally came in. i will order the 256mb of memory and purchase the tiger OSX. What is the limit of memory my ibook can take? Is there any other things you can thin about that may help my ibook to run smoothly?
thanks again for all your help.
-marc
thanks again for all your help.
-marc
Cheryl - Jul 31, 2005 - 9:45 pm
Marc,
That iBook can handle 640MB max.
A few pointers: Check this out on how to get the Maximum battery usage:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86284
You should also invest in Disk Warrior. This is a utility that will be a life saver when the computer decides to act up.
http://www.alsoft.com/DiskWarrior/index.html
You can buy it on line or at a store that sells Apple computers and software.
If you plan on shutting down the iBook at night - (which is okay) you should get Macaroni.
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/9633
It will do the nightly routine jobs that don't get done late at night when you start up.
Our forums have plenty of how to's and hints on different programs.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
That iBook can handle 640MB max.
A few pointers: Check this out on how to get the Maximum battery usage:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86284
You should also invest in Disk Warrior. This is a utility that will be a life saver when the computer decides to act up.
http://www.alsoft.com/DiskWarrior/index.html
You can buy it on line or at a store that sells Apple computers and software.
If you plan on shutting down the iBook at night - (which is okay) you should get Macaroni.
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/9633
It will do the nightly routine jobs that don't get done late at night when you start up.
Our forums have plenty of how to's and hints on different programs.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
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