User profile for user: Apple Rules
Apple Rules Author
User level: Level 2
315 points

Powerbook 1400 upgrading

Hi all,
I have a Powerbook 1400c (Yep a 1400 the one thats probably sitting in your garage)! I want to actually upgrade it entirely so it can be used with OS 9.1,run the internet wirelessly (Or at least run the internet!),and run nice. It currently has a 133MHZ Processor,32MB or 33MB of RAM,OS 7.6.1,1.1GB HDD,and a color screen,no battery(Well it does have one but it dont charge.),no CD-ROM,has Floopy drive.

1.(Software) I want it to run at least OS 8 but I would perfer OS 9. I dont have the original disk but I have a OS 9 installation disk for iMac and a PM 8600/300 with CD-ROM and a serial cable so I could share CD-ROM communication. I also have OS 9.2.2 running on my PM 8600/300 so could I copy it from my PM to my PB?

2.(Hardware) Well I need a processor upgrade since I only have a 133MHZ PowerPC Processor. Do they make G3 for the 1400? How high is the speed and price? How about G4,G5 are they made for the 1400? I heard that the 1400 only holds 64MB of RAM is this true? How can I make it go faster (for the internet,Etc.) with only 64MB of RAM?

3. (Accesories,Pecies) I know I could buy a CD-ROM drive for the 1400 but how fast are they? Are there DVD-ROM drives for the 1400? Where? Can I buy a wireless pc card for my 1400? I dont have a modem,ethernet, on the 1400 so can I buy a seperate modem,Ethernet connector for it?

4. (Batteries) This is probably one of the worst things you have when you buy an older electronic that requires rechargable batteries. Where can I find a DECENT one??!! Do they even still make batteries for the 1400? I checked eBay but those batteries may not last long at all.

5. (The stuff I forgot to say up there!!) Is the 1400 in any way,shape,or form, compatible with OS X?? What about Airport??

Thanks all!!!!!

Posted on Aug 26, 2005 4:44 PM

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11 replies
User profile for user: Michael Tirta
Michael Tirta
User level: Level 5
7,650 points

Sep 19, 2005 9:50 PM in response to Apple Rules

Just finished install 9.1 in my powerbook 1400c/166 (with G3 333 mhz), 64 mb, using imac 9.1 installer cd.

First it is crashed when start up using imac cd and second when it started to install the os.
But I restarted with extension off, and the installing process was smooth.

No more crash and everything work fine now, slightly slower than previous os 8.1, but there is so much more we could do with 9.1.

Love it more than my Powerbook G3 400 lombard with 9.2.2 os. Except for dvd watching.
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User profile for user: jpl
jpl
User level: Level 7
28,285 points

Aug 28, 2005 12:00 PM in response to Apple Rules

Macs,

No way to go beyond the 64MB limit; the memory controller will just not address any more RAM.

You can run up to OS 9.1 but you will be stretching the memory. However, by turning off all control panels and extensions that you do not use, you can free up a few more MB. In order to install from a CD, you will need a retail MacOS 9.0 or 9.0.4 or 9.1 CD (you can then freely update to 9.1). A machine-specific MacOS 9.x CD will not install on the 1400.

You can buy the CDs here:
http://www.applerescue.com/
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User profile for user: Gary Rowlands
Gary Rowlands
User level: Level 1
0 points

Sep 12, 2005 3:39 PM in response to Apple Rules

Hi, I've just reached Nirvana with my 1400 with the addition of an active matrix screen (don't let anyone tell you that passive is any good) , it is a 166 MHz with the all important cache, it runs 9.1 it has 56 mb of RAM, an 8x cd drive, a 5400 RPM 40 Gb hard drive, I access my wireless network with a Dell 1150 Truemobile PCMCIA card, ordinary progs such as Word, Claris etc run very fast (for a 1400), but net access is a bit of a bind, I am disgusted to admit that Internet Explorer 5 gives the best speed but I use Opera 5 when I can, I find its best to switch off all button bars in both progs to get more room on the 800x600 screen and I find it runs much better (and in some cases only) with Ram Doubler 8/9 and it has a crap battery which means it's only useful for desktop use, it's not my main machine but I do love playing around with it, regards, Gary

GW7TED
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User profile for user: Denis Eddy
Denis Eddy
User level: Level 4
3,571 points

Sep 20, 2005 3:25 AM in response to Michael Tirta

Michael
By using an iMac install CD you have installed (if indeed, it is completely installed) an OS that is machine-specific for a G3 New World (ROM in RAM) PCI Mac into an an Old World NuBus machine. If it works at all you are lucky. However, that it will continue to work flawlessly is unlikely.

Even with your PB's upgrade, its ceiling RAM of 64MB makes OS 8.6 a far more suitable choice unless other applications that you need demand OS 9.1. Either way, you need to use a 'retail' or 'full install' CD of the the OS that you wish to install so as to get the full complement of needed software.

You are in the company of many others in your liking for the PB 1400. I have two, both with G3 upgrades, 64MB, 4GB and OS 8.6. The 400MHz (Sonnet) machine goes like the clappers.
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Powerbook 1400 upgrading

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