Upgrade iBook

D

DDunn

Registered
I have checked out the forums in the past and appreciate all the info.
Here is my question:

I have an iBook 900MHz PowerPC G3
256 MB Memory
37.25 GB hard drive 31.05 GB available
OSX version 10.2.8

Can I upgrade the OSX? If so, what is the easiest way, which OSX can I upgrade to and is it best to upgrade in steps (10.2 to 10.3 to 10.4) or start fresh, erase my current OS and install a newer version?

Also, how do I tell what version of FireWire I have on this computer and will that have to be upgraded?

We have this laptop in our office and don't use it everyday. It is used when we are outside of our office. Our Microsoft Office program needs to accept a converter to open Office 2007 files that we receive from other offices.

We are trying to upgrade instead of buying a new laptop since it is not one of our "daily" computers. We have iMacs with OS 10.4.11 for our in-house computers and was able to install the Office converter with no problem.

We use our computers for basic functions of our office. We don't use the computers to make or edit video or music or watch movies.

I would appreciate if anyone could steer me in the right direction and let me know what I will need to upgrade.

Thank you,
Diane
 
DDunn said:
We have iMacs with OS 10.4.11 for our in-house computers and was able to install the Office converter with no problem.
Click to expand...

Do these other computers with 10.4.11 have office 2004 for Mac installed? Because I think the XML editor for reading newer versions of office only works for the 2004 version of office. If this is the case you will not only need to upgrade the RAM and version of OSX on the ibook, but also the version of Office for Mac.
 
I used to have that exact iBook. The highest OS you can put on is 10.4.11 and I would erase everything and put OS 10.4 on then upgrade to 10.4.11 with software update. However, if you are going to upgrade to 10.4.11 I would upgrade your RAM first, the highest it can have is 640MB which would take one 512MB PC-100 chip.

The iBook has FireWire 400 which will be around for a while, so it will be good.
 
icemanjc said:
I used to have that exact iBook. The highest OS you can put on is 10.4.11 and I would erase everything and put OS 10.4 on then upgrade to 10.4.11 with software update. However, if you are going to upgrade to 10.4.11 I would upgrade your RAM first, the highest it can have is 640MB which would take one 512MB PC-100 chip.

The iBook has FireWire 400 which will be around for a while, so it will be good.
Click to expand...

Actually you could rephrase that to "the highest OS for best performance". It could load 10.5 possibly doing an archive & install to preserve the data. But maxed out at 640MB RAM it would run like a dog.
 
Leopard simply isn't _made_ for G3 processors. I don't see much sense in even trying to hacking it to run on that machine. 10.4.11 is pretty fine.
 
I was thinking her ibook was one of the first G4 ibooks when it is in fact one of the last G3 ibooks. The first of the G4s was offered in the 800Mhz, 933Mhz, and 1Ghz. Sorry guys.
 
djackmac, icemanjc, and fryke,

Thanks for the assistance. Your answers gave me exactly what I needed.

I did figure that I would also have to upgrade Microsoft Office once I installed the new OS.

Now I just have to price it all out and see if it is worthwhile for us to do it this way. We were hoping to keep this laptop for another year or two before replacing it.

icemanjc said:
However, if you are going to upgrade to 10.4.11 I would upgrade your RAM first, the highest it can have is 640MB which would take one 512MB PC-100 chip.
Click to expand...

I am the extent of our "Tech Support Department" which isn't saying much. (I could be very dangerous with a little more knowledge...) Upgrading the RAM is pretty straight forward with the proper install instructions, correct?

Diane
 
DDunn said:
I am the extent of our "Tech Support Department" which isn't saying much. (I could be very dangerous with a little more knowledge...) Upgrading the RAM is pretty straight forward with the proper install instructions, correct?

Diane
Click to expand...

Yes, upgrading RAM requires removing the keyboard by pushing down the tabs at the top right and left hand corners. The keyboard then lifts from the top and flips over onto the trackpad (The keyboard will still be attached by the serial cable so don't pull hard). After that it is a matter of removing 4 small phillips screws to remove the access door. After the access door is removed the memory slot is right there. If you need visual diagrams to go by here is a link for take-apart manuals: http://www.powerbookmedic.com/Take-Apart-Repair-Manuals-p-1-c-258.html
 
This is the info that is in the help file on my laptop.

Choosing Computer Memory (RAM)
SDRAM cards must be Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module (SO-DIMM)
format, 1.25 inches high or shorter, PC-100 compliant, and 3.3 volts. Your
computer can use 32, 64, 128, 256, or 512 MB SDRAM cards.

It doesn't seem like the link you sent me is for the correct type.
 
PC-133 memory is backward compatible with PC-100.

It's kind of like saying that if your car can go 65mph, then it stands to reason that it can also go 55mph (but not necessarily the opposite).
 
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