Poser Punx
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Help me with this iBook!!!! Please.

Hi everyone,

 

I am new to Apple Discussions and am having a issue ; I received a iBook notebook with running 10.1.5 ; I noticed Internet Explorer ( not safari ) which after reading up on, apparently was stopped as of 2005. I looked when the last update was completed on this iBook and it was 2004/2005.

 

 

There are a few things I wish to do; but am running into issues. 

1- I want to reset back to how it 'once' was.  Issue with this is I do not have any disks for it. I only recieved it with usb mouse/tv adapter/wall plug. So no 'boot' disk. I heard there are ways around this ( considering the iBooks age ) vs. how it was before.

2- I wish to update all software/hardware to as new as possible. Issue with this is ; it's my first Mac OS. So honestly I have no idea how or what to do.

3- find where in the system I can find out all of this iBooks information ( which is OS it runs, what the ram is, what the hdd space is; basically all the specs )

 

I know this Mac has a lot of history.  I just hope someone can come to my rescue.

I will be completely honest ; please use as "dummified" language as possible.  I am no good with computers.  I have always been a pc fan ( except I love my iPhone ).

 

Anything anyone can do would be most helpful.  I know with this being a older device not all the data is easily found.  I am willing to download a install disk to a USB drive if needed.

 

Since I directly can't find the specs for this iBook I did find the -easily found- 'about this Mac' and it is the following :

 

Mac OS X

Version 10.1.5

Memory 256 MB

Processor PowerPC G3

Apple computer inc. 1983-2001

 

If that helps at all.

Thanks,

Justin - Poser Punx

iBook, Mac OS X (10.1.x)

Posted on Jun 12, 2012 7:57 PM

by John Galt,Solvedanswer
John Galt John Galt
Level 8 (49,522 points)
Mac OS X
A:

Hi Justin,

1- I want to reset back to how it 'once' was.  Issue with this is I do not have any disks for it. ... So no 'boot' disk.

 

That's a show stopper right there.

 

You can revert an iBook to its originally shipped condition without its original installation discs, but to do so would require another boot device containing its original installation disc image. Apple may be able to sell you a copy but may not give you the time of day without paying a modest fee for technical support. Given these challenges I don't recommend even attempting to revert that Mac to its originally shipped condition.

 

It's a shame to dishonor its tenth anniversary with this comment, but OS X 10.1.5 is, frankly, horrible. You ought to be able to upgrade it to Tiger, and original Tiger discs are available on the used market. They are not cheap. You will need the retail version which is distinguished with a big X on a black background - grey discs are machine-specific and will not work.

 

The earliest iBooks can only be upgraded to Panther.

 

Your first task is to identify the exact hardware model. Click the  menu and select "About this Mac..." or words to that effect. There may be a "More Info..." button in that window. If there is click it and see if you can find out there. I don't recall what its nomenclature was with OS X 10.1. I've been trying to suppress those memories.

Posted on Jun 12, 2012 8:30 PM

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Poser Punx

Q: Help me with this iBook!!!! Please.

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  • Helpful answers

  • by John Galt,Solvedanswer

    John Galt John Galt Jun 12, 2012 8:30 PM in response to Poser Punx
    Level 8 (49,522 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 12, 2012 8:30 PM in response to Poser Punx

    Hi Justin,

    1- I want to reset back to how it 'once' was.  Issue with this is I do not have any disks for it. ... So no 'boot' disk.

     

    That's a show stopper right there.

     

    You can revert an iBook to its originally shipped condition without its original installation discs, but to do so would require another boot device containing its original installation disc image. Apple may be able to sell you a copy but may not give you the time of day without paying a modest fee for technical support. Given these challenges I don't recommend even attempting to revert that Mac to its originally shipped condition.

     

    It's a shame to dishonor its tenth anniversary with this comment, but OS X 10.1.5 is, frankly, horrible. You ought to be able to upgrade it to Tiger, and original Tiger discs are available on the used market. They are not cheap. You will need the retail version which is distinguished with a big X on a black background - grey discs are machine-specific and will not work.

     

    The earliest iBooks can only be upgraded to Panther.

     

    Your first task is to identify the exact hardware model. Click the  menu and select "About this Mac..." or words to that effect. There may be a "More Info..." button in that window. If there is click it and see if you can find out there. I don't recall what its nomenclature was with OS X 10.1. I've been trying to suppress those memories.

  • by Ronda Wilson,

    Ronda Wilson Ronda Wilson Jun 13, 2012 3:45 AM in response to Poser Punx
    Level 8 (41,547 points)
    Jun 13, 2012 3:45 AM in response to Poser Punx

    Hi, Justin. Welcome to Apple Support Communities.

     

    Which exact iBook model is it?

     

    You can choose from this list:

     

    http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/ibook/index-ibook.html

     

    Since it's running Mac OS X 10.1.5, that tells me it's a fairly early model. The 2001 date tells me that it is probably one of the earliest dual USB models.

     

    In order to find more information about the iBook, check out Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > System Profiler and let us know what you find out there.

  • by Poser Punx,

    Poser Punx Poser Punx Jun 13, 2012 5:52 AM in response to Ronda Wilson
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 13, 2012 5:52 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

    Software overview :

    Mac os overview.  System : Mac OS X 10.1.5 (5566)

    Startup device.    Macintosh hd

     

    Memory overview

    Built-in memory: 256MB.      PC133U-333

    Backside L2 cache : 512k

     

    Hardware overview

    Machine ID : 406

    Keyboard type : keyboard with inverted-T

    Processor info : PowerPC G3

    Machine : 700 MHz

     

    Network overview

    Ethernet - built-in

     

    Then after all that it's my serial number.

    I hope this helps both of you.  I really appreciate the already assistance. I've just found something new.

  • by Poser Punx,

    Poser Punx Poser Punx Jun 13, 2012 5:56 AM in response to Ronda Wilson
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 13, 2012 5:56 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

    After checking out the website you left to find the model type.  Basing it on the MHz and ram it seems to be : " The iBook G3/700 14-Inch (16 VRAM/Mid-2002) also is quite similar to the iBook G3/700 (16 VRAM/Mid-2002) but the 14-Inch model offers a larger, but same resolution, 14.1 inch display in an appropriately larger case and shipped by default with twice the amount of RAM (256 MB instead of 128 MB), a larger hard drive, and an enhanced battery for longer runtime "

     

    I tried finding a way in apple.com site to put the serial number but alas there is no where just to directly find the model tyPe.

  • by Ronda Wilson,

    Ronda Wilson Ronda Wilson Jun 13, 2012 6:25 AM in response to Poser Punx
    Level 8 (41,547 points)
    Jun 13, 2012 6:25 AM in response to Poser Punx

    You've found as much information as you can with the serial number.

     

    The built-in memory of 256 MB is a giveaway that it is the 14-inch model.

     

    The first thing I would do is maximize the RAM with a 512 MB module.

     

    http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/iBooks-PowerBooks/G3-iBook/

     

    If you want to take it back to the original system software (not a bad idea), these are the discs you need:

     

    http://www.ifixit.com/iBook-Parts/iBook-G3-14-Inch-Restore-CDs-700/IF151-002#.T9 iTCs215Z8

     

    However, you will note that iFixit  is out of stock on them. You may get lucky on eBay, but make sure they are the exact set you need for this particular iBook. It may be just as cheap to buy another iBook that is the exact same model with the discs included in your purchase.

     

    It can be upgraded to Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger), but the Tiger discs are rather hard to find (and expensive) these days. Be sure to get the black full-retail discs, not gray discs that came with another back nor a disc that says it is an "upgrade" disc.