Hello All!
Yesterday while going through a second-hand shop here in Calgary, I came across what looked like, from a distance, a PM 7200. I started towards it, thinking it might make a nice addition to my collection. However, as I came closer, I realized I was mistaken. This was not the 7200 that I thought it was, it turned out to be a Power Mac G3 (beige desktop model). I looked her over and found out it was only $10CDN (about $7.50US), so I bought two and gave one to a friend of mine. Now I have mine set up with OS 9.2.2 and VNC Server (so I can control it on my Thinkpad 600e running XP). It's a 233Mhz model, it came with 32MB RAM (Upped to 160MB as soon as it got home) and it's still got the stock 4GB HD as well as a 100MB Zip drive (internal).
My question is, what should I do with this beast? I understand that it can run X, up to x.2.8, but is it worth it? (Keep in mind, I do have more RAM for this machine as soon as I get around to putting it in - approx. 384MB total, as well as more HD space).
I've also got Rhapsody on CD somewhere, would that run half-decently on the machine? I realize that it is no where near finished, and there is no support, but is it worth installing? Even just for the 'ooh-ahh' factor? This is not my main machine (yet) as I run mainly a Wintel shop these days, so right now I'm open to playing with OSes on it. Friends of mine have said that I should put a distro of Linux on it (namely: Debian) but I can do that on a PC, which I have more access and knowledge about. I want to play with an operating system that I just can't run on an x86 (I do realize that I can put Darwin on an x86, but I would like a GUI if at all possible).
As always, any help or hints are always appreciated.
Cheers,
The Czar
I would say stick all that RAM in it, drop in a second HD, load up X and be happy. I've been running OS X on a beige 300 (now a G4/450) and it's fine with lots of RAM.
Rhapsody or Server 1.2 will run like a charm. I used to run Jaguar on my Beige but it's video kept crashing the box. Untill I get a second video card for the unit I'll stick with Server 1.2.
sounds about like my thrift score...
G3 AIO, 12gb/233/192mb zip
the price: only $5 US!
How come the thrift sotres around here can't price anythign worth a crud? G3 systems for under $10? HA! We get LCIII w/ CD300e, printer and monitor listed for: $130! I know they're volunteers normally, but geez, eBay ain't that hard to check once in awhile for an idea of a resonable price.
Of course if they all checked eBay, the G3s would be listed for $100...
I've settled on going with 9.2.2 and 10.1 on the G3. It's been upgraded (so far) to 256MB RAM and an extra 2.2GB SCSI drive. It runs respectibly for it's age, so all in all I'm pleased.
Cheers,
The Czar
Wow...that's a good deal for the AIO. Thrift store guys don't know the diff between a 10 and 1000MHz computer, though the sticking point is that no ones is going to turn up a 1000Mhz comp to thrift store free.
whats the address for this place sounds like a bargain waiting to be found
I happen to work there.... but don't think it was an inside deal... i simply waited for it to be priced and placed on the sales floor. It pays to work with people that have 0 knowledge of apple computers...
(btw... i also bought a 333mhz imac about 2wks later for the low low price of $25 usd, it didnt have a mouse or kb so they were unable to test it and i snagged it for almost nothing ;))
A few weeks ago my dad was servicing a copier at the local thrift store and noticed a ruby iMac DV in the back room getting ready to be put out. Of course he called me and I went down to check it out. When I asked their "tech guy" about it he said it was some "weird Apple monitor" that he couldn't figure out how to connect to a computer. I just played along and said I'd give him five bucks for it to see if I could figure out how to get it working. Got home, upgraded the RAM, installed OSX, and whala.
I picked up a G3 233 Desktop for $35 US and I want to install a Miglia TV tuner PCI card.
I have one in my G4 QS running on a Radeon Mac Edition 32MB 2nd monitor. My question is: I have to put out at least $50 for a used Radeon 7000 and a Radeon 9200 is $129.
Do I buy the 7000 and save some bucks, OR, go for the 9200 and move it into my G4, using the Radeon Mac Edition in the G3? I ONLY watch TV on the 2nd monitor, and move tools and browsers to the 2nd screen on the G4 It's a matter of $80 for a card that will work, or a card that will age well... Does the 9200 have an advantage over the 7000 or Radeon Mac Edition, when I will ONLY be using it for a TV? I plan to purchase a LCD for the TV on the G3 and all 3 cards support this...
BTW: I am running a 9800 128MB as the main screen on the G4 and I know that I can run 2 monitors with this card, but I don't like the idea of splitting the RAM btwn 2 screens.
When running games, the 2nd monitor is not used, so, does this mean that the full 128MB is being used for the game? Or is it still split btwn the 2 screens since they are both attached to this card?
Cheers.
IF youre doing nothing with the other screen, the main one will get close to the full 128mb, the rest(4mb probably) being used for wallpaper and such on the second one. so i would say just connect the second monitor to that.
try using the 9800 for the second screen, you'll probably find it works fine. That then frees up the RME for your other Mac, no need to buy another card at all..
If concerned about splitting the VRAM, you could power off (or unplug video cable, depends on the display) the second display before launching your game. Once second display off (or disconnected), use the Displays menubar item "Detect Displays", and the second display will be removed, freeing up all the VRAM for the main display.
Also, depending on the game, you may never even use close to the full 128MB. For example, Q3A only uses more than 32MB when pushed over 1024x768 (at maximum quality settings.) I think a bit of testing is in order before making purchases.
FWIW, I tested an R9200 PCI with Q3A timedemo and found it to be quite a bit faster than a R7K, consistant with other reports I've read. In fact my tests were CPU limited (on a dual 1gHz Quicksilver!!) with the R9200, where the R7K ran out of steam long before the CPU did.
dan k
Thanks for the info! I thought when connecting a 2nd Display to the 9800, it automatically meant that the VRAM was split 64/64 for each screen.
Is this usage of VRAM a function of OSX? Like the new modern memory usage in OSX v.s OS9? I am still a newbie when it comes to these specs. If the 9800 does indeed give up the second monitor after a poweroff and a "detect display command"... Then all is OK. Cheers, and again,Thanks!!!
It is interesting that Q3 uses 32MB + only after pushing the resolution... I guess my card is overkill until new games come out and need the extra power? I had an 8500 64MB running Halo, and the 9800 blew it away, much more eye candy!
I assume this is one of the more taxing games on the Video card?
Exactly!!!My local one stopped accepting classic desktops(like 7200's,the like...)But only take modern(or close like AIO's,though i never saw a AIO) machines.Like last week,a bondi came in at a freaking $200!!!I mean port door still there,original periperalsand cord,but REALLY!!!They had a 333MHz blueberry once,at $75,no mouse,screen discolored on the corner,CD not oppening!And get this-they raised the price to $100 2 days later!And a bondi for $45,os 8.6,no KB&Mousewell it was a good price,but i didny get it.and a grape at $200KB and Mouse!!!I thought it was overpricing.And along with the grape,a G3 B&W+studiosisplay(Bondi CRT),KB,Mouse at $400!!I saw the combo at $150 at ebay!!! The first imac i saw was a bondi or blueberry(I wasnt computer crazy that timebut knew it was sorta new,I became crazy later that year after finding a CC at a school.Well,I left it when I moved because I erased Mac OS acc.and realized how important it was in 2004.)and it was $100 AND NON FUNCTIONING!!!Oh,well,and I bought a 7100 that belonged to Jon Sakoda(some singer) there for $25!!!Cool!!!And a free 7200 last month.Oh well,sorry for the long story,more related stuff later on...
I've said it before, and I'll say it again- lay off the caffeine. The Shift-1 key combination is not your friend.
(PS- old thread...try not to dig these up unless entirely necessary, they just clutter the new ones)
...just wanted to set the record straight...no pun intended...and none taken, I'm sure.
tony b.