How Do I Upgrade My PowerBook G3 Pismo?

Question

How Do I Upgrade My PowerBook G3 Pismo?

(First off, let me just say that this forum has been extremely helpful throughout the years. Thanks to everyone! And, I hope this post (and responses) continues to help those like me in the future!)

I want to upgrade my PowerBook G3 Pismo.

I already have a G4 PowerBook, yet can't tear myself away from my G3 just yet. However, my Pismo needs a huge overhaul. Right now it's running on 192MB of memory, a 6G hard drive, and a 400MHz processor. (I'm running OS 10.3.9, since I don't have enough hard drive space to install 10.4.) (Even most websites have gotten too advanced for my little G3 to view at a reasonable speed.)

Let me also say, I am not a do-it-yourself kinda guy really, so I'm hoping the answers I receive here are easy to follow for the average Joe.

From reading the other posts, I understand the three biggest upgrades to a G3, in order of impact and ease, are:

1) Memory
2) Hard Drive
3) Processor

I would also like to include another relevant element:

4) Battery Replacement (my battery is completely dead, as you can imagine)

(Another aim for this post is to have one place where people can easily see how to upgrade these things, rather than dig around for each topic.)

Rather than deal with the multitudes of justifications (whether or not I should, etc.), my questions for each of the four items above are simple:

A) How can I maximize each option? (i.e. - What is the maximum amount of memory I can buy for it? How big of a hard drive can my G3 accommodate and utilize? What is the fastest processor I can use?)

B) Where is the easiest/best place to purchase each item? (I know that's a bit subjective, but I'm sure there's a general consensus as to where the best, tried-and-true replacement batteries are sold, etc. (At least, I hope so.))

C) How do I do-it-myself? (i.e. - Is there a specific URL or post that tells me how to physically replace the memory and hard drive, etc.?)

Again, thanks very much to all of you who help out in the posting of answers to all of us who are less technically advanced!

PowerBook G3 (Pismo), Mac OS X (10.3.x)

Posted on Nov 9, 2007 6:07 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 9, 2007 7:30 PM in response to Hollywood Guy

I would start at Other World Computing, www.macsales.com/ they do a great job at pulling together what is out there for Apples and their memory was reasonably priced last I checked. They will also have the specs for everything, that said, I've never bought from not them when the price was better elsewhere because I don't know every spec that's important. The Pismo battery I bought from them was about 85 or 90 % of the claimed max and the support people weren't helpful, but I figure it's probably just old.

BTW, good luck finding a proc upgrade for these thing these days.

My setup is 512 MB Ram, 10 G HD, 400 MHZ processor and it runs Tiger fine, but not fast. w/o a G4, no way it runs Leopard, with, there are reports it might.

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Answer 2

Allan Jones

Level 9

78,866 points

Nov 9, 2007 9:40 PM in response to Hollywood Guy

In answer to "C" this:

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/

is a marvelous DIY resource. A friend asked me to rehab three old Wallstreets and I'd not ever used one, much less worked on one. With these well-illistrated guides you should find the going pretty easy,

For the Wallstreet project I bought two WD 60G 5400 rpm drives from Other World Computing (the "macsales" link above) for US$45/ea. Nice combo of price and capacity.

I also tried a Wallstreet main battery from OWC but it arrived DOA. I returned it for a refund with little problem (they charged a restocking fee but when I called and questioned it they refunded that too).

From this link:

http://www.powerbookguy.com/xcart/home.php?cat=319

I believe you can see that a 20 percent increase in processor speed is going to be costly. However, I bought some other parts from that source and got good service.

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Answer 3

Nov 10, 2007 6:33 AM in response to Hollywood Guy

Let my try to answer your questions. 120 GB is the largest HD you will see all of. Larger, and you will see only something like 132 GB. I do this in my desktop and it works fine. But you do have to realize there is a speed and size / power consumption and heat trade off. I don't know how bad it is, but there are reasons to stick with the 5400 rpm drives and to not go larger than you will need.

I too am in the market for a HD for my Pismo--mine is on the way out (will only work for 3 or so days in a row before it dies and needs a reinstall). The cheapest one OWC has for the Pismo (or the other G3 PowerBooks now) is $80. I'm surprised by this and am looking around for other options.

As far as RAM, OWC claims 1 GB. Just FYI, I think the lower slot upgrade is difficult, so if you'd be happy with the cheaper 512 in the larger upper slot plus what ever remains in the lower slot, you may want to stick with that.

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Answer 4

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Nov 11, 2007 5:12 PM in response to Hollywood Guy

Hollywood Guy:

You have hit upon a favorite topic around here, as you have already noticed.

The place to begin your upgrade is with RAM. The Pismo will support a total of 1 GB of RAM. 2 - PC 100 3.3v 144-pin SO-DIMM. You will find comparative prices of popular brands at ramseeker. You will also get good prices at Kahlon. The Pismo is not very picky about RAM and most manufacturers warranty their RAM for life.

The next upgrade that will give the biggest bang for the buck is the Hard Disk Drive. As noted previously, your computer will support up to a 120 GB HDD natively. (The BootROM will actually see 128 GB, but most manufactuers standardize the size to 120 GB). It is possible to install a larger HDD with the help of SpeedTools. However, I have not used the product, so I cannot vouch for it. Here is a list of available HDDs available for your Pismo at OWC

In terms of a processor upgrade, this is the most expensive upgrade and unless one really loves the Pismo, it may not be cost effective in the long run. I have done it myself, but then Pismo is my primary computer and I use it constantly and extensively for all my computing needs. Although we Pismo aficionados love our machines, we are also aware of it's limitations. If one would like to run any OS beyond Tiger, for example, you will need a minimum of a G with 867 MB processor, and even with a processor upgrade the Pismo will not make the cut.

So while I recommend the first two upgrades without qualification or reservation, the processor upgrade is different. If you decide that you really want to do it after careful consideration, I suggest that you peruse this thread for a full exploration of the subject. Several vendors are mentioned in the thread. My G4/550 processor upgrade is a Wegenermedia, but I hesistate to recommend them, as, since my installation I have learned of several users who have had difficulty with their service and products.

Please do post back with specific questions on any of the topics mentioned.

Cheers 🙂

cornelius

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Answer 5

Nov 11, 2007 11:08 PM in response to Paul Bailey3

I don't know about other users, but I found the wegener upgrade to be easy to perform. I upgraded my daughters pismo to a 550 G4 and it has worked fine. My pismo was upgraded via daystar -- I had to send it in for them to do it. I believe it runs hotter and it needs thier software to work. The wegener needs no software programs to run. Daystar did a good job and had backed their products -- I also upgraded my lombard through them to a 433 G4. After a few days it went bezerk. They sent me a replacement processor and I installed it -- has worked like a charm ever since. When I get my other daughter's pismo going, I plan on getting a wegener G4 for her as the price is right and I have had no problems with their processor etc.

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Answer 6

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Nov 12, 2007 8:44 AM in response to Paul Bailey3

Paul:

+120 GB is the largest HD you will see all of. Larger, and you will see only something like 132 GB.+
This is essentially correct. The BootROM in pre 2003 computers will see only 128 GB, but the closest standardized HDD size is 120 GB. Larger HDDs can be used if the boot volume is partitioned so that it meets this 128 GB requirement. There is another option mentioned in my first post that may get around that requirement, although it is an option I am only recently exploring.

+But you do have to realize there is a speed and size / power consumption and heat trade off.+
I don't think it is necessarily the case that 7200 rpm HDDs run any hotter than 5400 rpm or 4200 rpm for that matter. When I bought my current 100 GB a few years ago it was the largest capacity laptop HDD available. 7200 rpm was available up to 80 GB. I opted for 100 GB for the additional capacity, but would have preferred the 7200 GB. At the time there were concerns that 5400 rpm might run too hot. This has not been borne out in experience. And there are many laptop users who run 7200 rpm HDDs as easily as the slower ones. I, too, am in the market for a new HDD (see my topic here) I would love to get a 7200 rpm HDD, but I want to upgrade size-wise, too.

As far as RAM, OWC claims 1 GB. Just FYI, I think the lower slot upgrade is difficult
The lower slot is a bit more difficult than the upper, because you have to remove the processor card. However, it is quite manageable, even for a novice. The main thing to watch is re-seating the processor card securely when you put it back together.

Cheers.

cornelius

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Answer 7

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Nov 12, 2007 8:51 AM in response to Kevin Klemmer

Kevin:

My concern about Wegener was not the ease or difficulty of installation. In my own case, it was relatively easy, and the processor is still functioning very well. The concern I expressed about them has to do with service and, in some cases, the quality of their products. If you do a search on Wegnermedia in this forum you will find users who received shoddy products or workmanship, and who lost money because Wegener would not respond. I initiated a few emails on behalf of other users and to date have not had a response.

My point was/is, that one needs to be aware of the potential problems and decide with that information in mind.

Cheers.

cornelius

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Answer 8

Nov 12, 2007 4:27 PM in response to cornelius

Good information to know. I was unaware of problems with their product. Hmmm I am considering a G4 upgrade card for my other daughter's pismo... I will do a search to see what has been posted about them.

thanks
KK

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Answer 9

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Nov 12, 2007 4:43 PM in response to Kevin Klemmer

Kevin:

Here are some of the threads in which I have posted concerning Wegener. They do not all contain the kind of issues to which I referred, but some of them do. I suggest that you talk with them on the phone, if you can, and let them know that you have heard concerns from other users, and see what assurances you can get from them. The point is to walk in with your eyes open.

Cheers 🙂

cornelius

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Answer 10

Nov 12, 2007 4:47 PM in response to cornelius

Thank you.

With those concerns in mind, what have you heard about the Fastmac upgrade?

thanks!
KK

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Answer 11

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Nov 12, 2007 5:15 PM in response to Kevin Klemmer

Kevin:

The FastMac processor upgrade was one of the first ones at which I looked. At the time is was pricier than Wegener's, and, of course, there is the downtime while you send your daughter card in. In my case my Pismo is my primary computer, and I did not want to part with it. I am not familiar with any specific issues about either their product or service, but that is not to say that there are not any.

Daystar has the best recognized name in the field. They say that the processors are installed by Apple certified techs, but that does not necessarily mean that much, since the installation itself is not that difficult. I have not heard anything negative about either their product, or their service.

It is kind of a tough decision. My decision was based on price. However, in my case, although I returned my core the day after I received and installed the upgrade, it took six weeks and several reminders before I got my money back. However, I did get it back, unlike some other unfortunate folk.

If you have not done so yet, take a look at this thread I linked in my first post, Pismo Processor Upgrade: Advantages and Drawbacks. It is a bit dated now, but it is quite a thorough discussion of the Pismo G4 processor upgrade.

Cheers 🙂

cornelius

Message was edited by: cornelius

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Answer 12

jpl

Level 7

28,285 points

Nov 12, 2007 7:39 PM in response to Kevin Klemmer

Kevin,

Go to this link...
http://forums.xlr8yourmac.com/cpureview.lasso

...and select the Pismo, then read all the user reports on the G4 upgrade cards.

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Answer 13

Nov 13, 2007 9:02 AM in response to Hollywood Guy

My Friend -
you have received plenty of input from fine Macheads but i would like to add my 2 cents.
I also am the proud owner of a Pismo. And I have done several upgrades to the thing (HD, Memory/Replaced a logic board/fixed my sound card) And my advice to you is( if you still want it) is:
If you want the fun of tinkering around with your machine and the experience of "Hot Rodding" it out, go for it.
But I would suggest you research the parts you want to install(battery included) and make a list complete with prices for those items (including shipping charges and taxes and TOOLS)
THEN
go on eBay and look for old Pismos, with new batteries, lots of ram and upgraded hard drives. finding one with a G4 processor is more rare, but it happens!

then compare the prices! if a "new" machine is less than the parts (or only slightly more) go with the eBay score.

Ok, that may not as much fun as opening up your machine and tinkering, but you can STILL TINKER. lern the parts of YOUR Pismo, take it apart (with a digital guide) and SELL THE PARTS on eBAY! you can make some of you money back, easy.. maybe enough to pay for that G4!

my 2 cents... clink clink...

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Answer 14

Network 23

Level 6

12,351 points

Nov 13, 2007 9:24 PM in response to Hollywood Guy

My two cents is that before you go and spend on a processor upgrade, make a list of the apps you hope to enhance with that upgrade. If they are general use apps, a processor upgrade could be good. But I decided to skip the processor upgrade because some of the apps I use a lot on my Pismo fail not at the CPU, but at the Pismo's outdated video card. Features like CoverFlow, some downloadable screen savers, and apps like Google Earth look like trash and will always look like trash on a Pismo because the video card is not upgradeable. So, if your key apps require a video card that has more RAM or supports CoreImage, an expensive CPU upgrade will get you nowhere fast(er).

My Pismo's RAM is maxed out and I won't touch the CPU, so the last possible upgrades are going to be the battery, the hard drive, and the LCD. The LCD is dim and pink and the video cable is definitely starting to fray. If the screen is too expensive, the Pismo will either go headless (external monitor only)...or go into the closet. Not sure I can bring myself to part with it!

That last paragraph contains another tip: When you spring for an expensive processor upgrade, you are betting that the logic board, video subsystem, etc. are still in good enough shape to last long enough to make the CPU upgrade worth it. What's going to kill our Pismos isn't a part we can upgrade, but the parts on the motherboard that can't be upgraded without locating a replacement motherboard.

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Answer 15

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Nov 14, 2007 9:53 AM in response to Network 23

Network 23:

Good advice, especially on the video card. It is not something that is a concern for me, but it might be for others, so your point is well made.

+What's going to kill our Pismos isn't a part we can upgrade, but the parts on the motherboard that can't be upgraded without locating a replacement motherboard.+
A bit over a year ago my daughter's Pismo went dark. When I was able to get it to boot from the AHT disk it said we had a failed logic board. I immediately I went to eBay and bought one for $50. I have it in storage in case one of the three Pismos in the family should need it. It seemed to scare the heck out of my daughter's Pismo and it has been performing flawlessly. Actually logic boards are not that hard to find.

Cheers 🙂

cornelius

Message was edited by: cornelius

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