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General discussion

Installing Ram in G3 Clamshell

Feb 24, 2007 5:48AM PST

Hello - I bought an iBook G3 SE Clamshell [Graphite] for my wife recently; great little machine, and would [1], like to upgrade the ram and [2], archive/install an OS from 10.2.1, to 10.3. Current specs: 466 processor, 128 mb ram, 7.54 free gigs.
1] I wouldn't mind staying at 10.2.1. for the browser, but I recently bought install disks for Panther 10.3, and so far have failed in attempting to get them to load in the Clamshell. I did a Firmware upgrade to 4.1.8, as recommended, the cd player works/reads fine, but in trying to boot from the disks holding down 'c', or starting from the disk shown in the hd, either method leads to much grinding, blank screens etc, with no liftoff. What am I missing?
2] I have a 128 mb ram stick from my iBook G3, dual usb, that appears physically identical to the aftermarket sticks available for her model. Could I install it and thereby have a total of 256 mb ram? Ifixit shows some very simple install techniques, but if it would fit, should it be placed in the 'upper slot, shown by Ifixit, or in the 'lower slot', nowhere shown? Thanks much.

Discussion is locked

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RAM in iBook G3
Feb 24, 2007 6:55AM PST

This machine will run 10.3 quite happily, once it receives a RAM upgrade.

The reason you cannot find any mention of the "lower RAM slot" is because this machine does not have one.
They originally shipped with a whopping 64MB of RAM, imagine that, which is soldered onto the logic board. However, some machines shipped with 128MB soldered on to the logic board.
There is only one slot available for RAM and if it is occupied on your machine, it has a 64MB stick. If it is empty, then the 128MB is on the board.
Maximum amount of RAM is 576MB for the 64MB machine and 640MB for the 128MB machine.
Check out memorytogo.com for 256MB of RAM for that machine. $33 plus shipping is not bad.

Will it fit? Probably. Most of the memory for that series was the same. If something is in the slot, and you replace it with your 128MB, you will gain 64MB and if nothing is in the slot, you will gain 128MB.
256MB is better though. Happy

Check to see if the install disks that you have for 10.3 are actually CD's and not DVD's. Makes a difference when you try to boot. Happy

P

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Nailed it again, P
Feb 24, 2007 10:14AM PST

Just great...Put in my old ram 128 stick; her little machine now reads 192mb, and blazingly fast w' FF 2.0.0.1! The stick I removed was a 64mb, so with a 256+64, she should then be able to remember other issues I've yet to do. Thanks for the memorytogo.com recommendation; I'm now determined more than ever to cut back on the truffles and beaujolais for the savings it'll bring toward purchase...!
{An aside; knowing that you blush easily I'll keep this short. Through all the issues I've posted here and elsewhere, your direct, occasionally pithy, responses have consistently proved to be the most accurate and readable solutions. For those eager, yet unskilled devotees out here, it's greatly appreciated}...Thanks - Eric

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Awww, Shucks,
Feb 24, 2007 9:46PM PST

Thanks

Happy


P

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Discovery...
Feb 27, 2007 3:09AM PST

The little G3 clamshell iBook is running great on the 192mb now installed, and Waiting for delivery on the 256mb stick this week. But I've discovered the install issue of the Panther 10.3 disks is clearly caused by the CD player not working properly. It will initiate playing with iTunes, an old version, but stops consistently after less than 10 seconds, just making some occasional grinding noises. Bad news really, as I understand that Panther is available only on cd's. The DVD player seems to work well...? I was able to download the Combo Update through Apple from 10.2.1 to 10.2.8, and from readings there find that her machine should have a firmware upgrade #4.1.7 prior to installing Panther, but this firmware can only be used from Classic, not Mac OSX; we bought it used, and the Classic had been wiped at purchase. Stuck maybe? Thanks, Eric

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Not totally
Feb 27, 2007 8:44AM PST

Depending on what install disks you have at the house, you "might" find that one of them actually contains a copy of 9.x
Before we go off and buy a copy of 9.x just to update some firmware, did you check to see if the firmware has not already been updated.
Take a look at System profiler and see if you can find a version number for the Boot ROM version.
It should be around, if not exactly, 4.1.7f4. That, coincidentally is the version that my G3 Clamshell iBook is on and it runs 10.3.9

I'm not so sure about the CD/DVD problem though. As both of those devices use the same mechanism, I would have expected both to be failures and not just one. They can be replaced but the easiest, and cheaper, method is to fix yourself up with an external, Firewire, CD/DVD burner. Check out www.macsales.com for external options. Should be under $100 for a 16X Dual Layer DVD burner, complete with Firewire enclosure and cable.

Let me know

P

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Yes odd...
Feb 27, 2007 10:11AM PST

I would have expected both to dump. She can easily live without the cd player, other options being close by. Wondering though about upgrading her old version of iTunes; perhaps some 'disconnect' there? But the lower OS of 10.2.8 might rule that out. And here might be a good chuckle: Would it be possible to firewire my iBook, 10.3.9 to hers to do the Panther 10.3 install through mine? Maybe shouldn't have stopped at Happy Hour, eh?...Thanks, Eric

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Yep, been busy
Feb 28, 2007 8:56PM PST

What you suggest is not quite as silly as you thought. It's not going to work, but it's not a silly idea.

More when I get to work

P

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iTunes
Feb 28, 2007 10:32PM PST

is freely available from the Apple store. It is a free download but the current version requires 10.3.9 or later.
However, you can get a version for 10.2.8 at http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/itunes605formac.html

What I do see, that might be a problem, is that you are using the original disks from your G3 iBook. It is entirely possible that these disks are "Machine Specific" and that they check the ID number of the machine to see if it can install on it. "Universal" installers do not use that practise.

It is possible to connect your computer to hers, using Firewire, and for your computer to appear on her desktop as just another hard drive. This is called Target Mode. Unfortunately, you will not be able to boot her computer using your HD. Good try though. I would suggest an external Firewire CD/DVD burner which can be had for a relatively low price, try www.macsales.com
If that fails, at least you will have a decent burner for your troubles.

P

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Been Busy?
Feb 28, 2007 10:14AM PST

When you've got a chance I've got another question hanging out here...Thanks

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(NT) Next Question please
Feb 28, 2007 10:32PM PST
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Hope we're on the same page...
Mar 1, 2007 10:22AM PST

The disks I tried using to install Panther 10.3 were from AppleRescue, not machine specific, and they ostensibly can be used on any model and repeatedly. This all because I didn't think to test the cd player, which doesn't want to perform beyond 10 seconds. That's the insoluble root to all this. I sure may go for that external burner/player though; it should [might] get her machine usable and upgraded as from your advice to do a fresh Panther install on my G3, on the dvd issue. In the meantime I'll upgrade the iTunes just to see if any effect occurs. Thanks much; as usual as clarifying as fine port. Eric

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Good & Bad News
Mar 9, 2007 5:44AM PST

Got an update on all this. I bought a CD disk cleaner from Maxell for the iBook G3 Clamshell 466mhz; worked perfectly, and now it can play music CD's effortlessly. Then tried the AppleRescue Panther install disks again on it to upgrade to Panther 10.3. A no-go...Seemed to 'boot' into action, but simply stopped after a few minutes; the screen went to blue, and off it went to a normal startup; this, or similar results several times. I'm resigned to the machine staying at 10.2.8...But! I then tried them with the 'boot-from-holding-'c' in my daughter's [all works well] eMac, 1.25ghz, 1 gig ram, currently running Panther 10.3.9, and no-go again! Her eMac has the previous owner's name as administrator, and I'd like to dedicate her as administrator in the machine for more flexibility with add/deleting programs. I'm beginning to suspect that these install disks are not working on repeat performances. Would you have any pearls to offer? Thanks - Eric

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The fact that these disks do not boot
Mar 9, 2007 9:17AM PST

either machine would point to a problem with the disks.
Why not just resign yourself to spending the money on a real version of 10.3?

On the subject of the eMac. You have, of course, created an account for your daughter on this machine and have checked the "allow this user to administer this computer". This makes her an administrator.
Once you have done this and she is logged on as herself, you can delete the other "Admin" account.
Before you do that, make sure that she has not been using that account and that any items she has created or stored in iTunes/iPhoto etc., are backed up.
Once she has her own account, she can move that stuff back into her own account

P

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I misspoke...
Mar 9, 2007 11:28AM PST

I had put her as administrator previously; sorry. But hadn't removed the other name; it remains as 'shortname', and a master password exists, not one we chose after purchase. I was just flailing in frustration over not being able to do the 'install'. And, as you guessed, the two accounts are as balled and threaded, including iTunes, as could be; so moves or changes, except for 'Archive & Install' would be dodgy. I had thought that AppleRescue was the bees knees for this stuff - Apple no longer sells Panther; so where would I go to get a 'real version'?.....Thanks much

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Panther on CD
Mar 9, 2007 9:42PM PST

You can find a copy here at Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Mac-10-3-Panther-Old-Version/dp/B0000E6NK9

BTW, on the subject of accounts. The administrator account your daughter has is identical to the one that was already there.
She would still have to authenticate installs and the like, even if she was logged in under her own name

If she is logged in under her own name, then she just needs to put here own name and password in when prompted


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