Installation Manuals

Here's a source for all kinds of manuals:
http://developer.apple.com/documentation/Hardware/hardware2.html

pci card installation is easy to describe because they are pretty standard. But hard drives are located differently in the different G4 models.

There is just one screw holding a pci card in place. (You already have a video card in there, probably in an AGP slot, which is installed in much the same way.) An unused slot has a small plate protecting the opening. Remove the screw, then remove the small metal plate, and insert the pci card, making sure the card sits in the slot. The card has to be very firmly seated to make proper contact. Once that is done, you put the screw back in.

You already have a video card in there, which is installed in much the same way.

Install one thing at a time, that way if you have problems you can isolate the cause.

If we're going to talk you through this it helps to know specifically which model computer you have. I don't remember it from before so perhaps you could read the model number off the back and post it here.

One of the first things I do before working on my computer is make sure it is running well. Verify your drive with Disk Utility then proceed if all is go.

You will want to turn off your computer, but leave it plugged in. Open up the box (probably a lift tab on the side near the top, but here's where knowing exactly what computer you have will help). Once it is open it is a good thing to briefly touch the big metal box which is your power supply. The issue here is static. If you're in a dry place and get a lot of static charge you can damage sensitive electronics. Take off any synthetic sweaters, keep cats in another room. Touching the box helps ground you.

As Eustace mentioned, you will see places at the back covered with metal plates, and one or two similar slots which already have cards there. Find an empty slot and remove the plate. Take your new card and gently but firmly push it into the slot. It will only go in one way. Make sure it is seated properly. The new metal plate should cover the slot similar to the old one if it is positioned correctly. Cards often have a tight fit and it is a matter of finding the correct balance between aligning correctly, pushing in hard enough to get it seated correctly, but not forcing it in to the extent that you damage the card or computer. Avoid touching the gold terminals at the base of the card. Try to hold the card just by the edges or the metal plate.

Gently tighten screws but don't do it too hard since you don't want to strip them. Close up the box.

There is a CD that comes with this card but I don't know if you actually have to install anything (I have put in PCI cards but never a controller card). I doubt it but check the CD anyway. If you got the AEC-6280M PCI Ultra ATA-133 IDE Adapter for Mac from OWC then the website says there is also a manual for you to read. 😉

Some people at this stage might suggest a PMU reset (see this [guide|http://www.geocities.com/texas_macman/pram.html] though I have never had to do this after installing anything so I wouldn't unless you are having problems.

Restart the computer and check it boots all right. You can also do About this mac/more info/PCI cards using the apple in the upper left hand corner, before and after and see if the new card appears in the list.

Get the card installed and running before proceeding to the drive.

Message was edited by: Limnos

Message was edited by: Limnos

there are so many models and I cannot tell where mine falls into !!
apple-history.com has every Mac ever made, including pictures.

There is a label immediately below the place where the power cord plugs into the computer - the label that has a bar code on it. It includes all the information about the computer itself.

Hi Jan,

It looks like your computer may have had several upgrades of the processor and RAM at some stage. Can you give us an actual model number please. At least for me it is easier to track down the basic form of your computer from that. Kind of like giving us the model number for a car rather than saying, "It's green (may have been repainted), has a spoiler bar (may have been added), has a Fram oil filter (been swapped out many times), red carpeting (same carpeting used in many models or may have been swapped), but I know it's a Ford."

I remember mine is on the back of my computer, but it is kind of tucked into a corner now so I can't pull it out to have a look without disconnecting everything. It it actually hidden in the System Profiler info at the bottom under sales number:

Machine Name: Power Mac G4
Machine Model: PowerMac3,5

...

Sales Order Number: M8361LL/A

The line 400 MHZ /1m cache/ 64mb sdram/ 20GB HD/DVD-Rom tells us what model you have. The details in System Profiler are different because it has been upgraded, but that is not important here. We are trying to identify the model only to determine the geometry of the internal components, which are not changed by the various upgrades. And we can do that now.

By all means post back when you are ready to install the upgrades.

Hello Jan,

Didn't mean to leave you adrift. Looks like you've managed to survive, amd in good company at that!

If you're a bookie, you might want to get a copy of 'Upgrading and Fixing Macs for Dummies'. I cut my teeth on that volume; it made everything much simpler. (But you won't need it for this)

What you're about to do is one of the more simple operations in upgrading a Mac; it comprises maybe half a dozen simple steps. Since you haven't done it before, of course, you will wonder if each step is correct. It's easy to agonise over every screw; everybody does it his first time out.

I found it helps to open up the Mac before an operation (maybe even a day ahead of time), and just stare at its insides. It helps if you can name and point to all the players (scorecard optional). Any Mac I'm working on gets used to running with its side down; it just seems more like family that way.

If (or since) you're taking the old drive out, you may find it hard to locate the securing screw; said screw should be at the centre of the leading edge of the tray or sled the drive sits on, almost entirely obscured by the flat ribbon from the drive to the bus. You will most likely have to remove the ribbon to see and then to remove the small screw; if you're lucky, there will be an attached tab under the ribbon that you can pull and wiggle until the ribbon gives up and separates (they can be quite stubborn sometimes).

You can then remove the ribbon, unscrew the Very Small Screw, and remove the old drive with its sled still attached. There should be four more screws that secure the drive to the sled, but now that it's out those will be obvious.

To install, simply reverse the procedure, as they say.

You will need screwdrivers, of course, mostly Phillips head, but anybody who lives next to the wilderness should have a good selection.

If you intend to do this sort of thing a lot, invest $10-15 in a 'hook and pick' set at your local auto parts or hardware store; it makes the taking apart of recalcitrant Macs much easier. (Your dentist uses the same sort of pick regularly in his work.)

One of the most difficult parts is knowing just how hard to tighten everything; the book is likely to say "finger tight" plus one quarter turn, which I guess is a close approximation. Firm but don't force.

Installing the controller card is a similar question of "feel". It should - with a bit of wiggling - fit easily into its PCI slot. When you're convinced it's located properly in its home, lean on it with the heel of your hand to make sure it's seated firmly.

Just a couple of things I thought of that might smooth the way. You'll be doing this with your eyes closed before long.

Regards ..... Jon

You will need screwdrivers, of course, mostly Phillips head, but anybody who lives next to the wilderness should have a good selection.

You will need a Phillips screwdriver to remove the metal plate for card insertion for sure. Do what Jon suggests and have a look in advance so you also get the right size screwdriver to fit the screws. These sometimes get screwed down pretty tightly at the factory and you do not want to strip the heads. Some of these screws are small and made of pretty soft metal.

Also closely check the fittings on any screws you may need to remove. I know in my Quicksilver they use several kinds of screws. I can't open the computer at the moment (desk is too small) to check the drive screws, but I know they also used a kind of screw called a torx screw. This has a head that at first glance looks like a Phillips but instead of a cross has a 6-pointed star shape. I know I encountered these when replacing a DVD drive, but don't remember if I also saw it when replacing my hard drive. If you do have to remove a torx screw it is worth buying the correct screwdriver (and correct size for the head with which you will work) so you don't strip the head.