RAM and Powerbook G3 266

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RAM and Powerbook G3 266

Greetings,

I just took possession of a 2nd hand Powerbook G3 266Mhz, which we're using primarily as an "internet station" for my kids. It currently has 128 megs in it, and I understand that it can hold a maximum of 192 megs. My questions:

1. Assuming that I can find the right kind of RAM, would bumping it up from 128megs to 192megs show much of a performance increase? Would it be worth it?

2. If so, what RAM specs do I need to know when ordering? (I only know that it has 2 slots.)

3. It's currently running OS 10.2.8. Is that as high as I dare go, or can I go higher? As it is, I'm amazed that it's running at all given that it only has 128 megs of ram...

Thanks!

Powerbook G3 266, Mac OS X (10.2.x)

Posted on Apr 29, 2008 1:52 PM

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Answer 1

Hardy Geer

Level 4

3,166 points

Apr 29, 2008 2:39 PM in response to cnegrad

It can hold 512MB. The 192MB limit was due to the limitations of the available ram at the time the Powerbook introduced. Apple does not update specs when new ram becomes available.

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Answer 2

cnegrad Author

Level 1

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Apr 29, 2008 3:36 PM in response to Hardy Geer

Thank you Hardy:

1. So this old G3 can handle the additional heat generated by the 512megs? Can I assume that I'd see a big performance boost as a result?

2. What RAM specs do I need to know when ordering? (I only know that it has 2 slots.)

3. 3. It's currently running OS 10.2.8. Is that as high as I dare go, or can I go higher? As it is, I'm amazed that it's running at all given that it only has 128 megs of ram...

Thanks!

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Answer 3

Apr 29, 2008 3:58 PM in response to cnegrad

You need to get pc100 or pc133 LOW DENSITY. In addition, the 256 chip that goes on the bottom of the processor card must be a low profile. The steps for replaceing the ram can be found at www.ifixit.com

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Answer 4

Apr 29, 2008 4:20 PM in response to cnegrad

It will speed it up quite a bit.

OS 10.2.8 is the maximum you can run natively, however, you can run 10.4.xx with the help of a program called Xpostfacto.

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Answer 5

Ralph9430

Level 7

21,998 points

Apr 29, 2008 4:26 PM in response to cnegrad

Your 266 MHz Powerbook G3 is known as a Wallstreet I believe. My wife used one daily from the time we purchased it in 1999 until just last week when I replaced it with a Pismo model.

Her Wallstreet ran very well with 512 MB RAM that we bought from Other World Computing. I believe some have gotten Panther or even Tiger to run on their Wallstreet but I think Janguar (10.2.8) is the latest easy to run OS.

We also upgraded the HD to 40 GB and replaced the PRAM battery.

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Answer 6

Hardy Geer

Level 4

3,166 points

Apr 29, 2008 4:43 PM in response to cnegrad

1. The additional heat is negligable.
2. Any one of a number of suppliers will help with your selection. The low profile issue is mostly moot as almost all modules are now low profile. What is important is that a 256MB module should have 16 memory chips.

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Answer 7

cnegrad Author

Level 1

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Apr 29, 2008 6:41 PM in response to Hardy Geer

Thank you everyone for your help!

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Answer 8

jpl

Level 7

28,285 points

Apr 29, 2008 7:36 PM in response to cnegrad

cnegrad,

Just another point on RAM...the 256MB modules must be made for the Wallstreet (and early iMac and Lombard) due to the memory controller on these machines. Generic 256s that meet all specs usually don't work since the Wallstreet requires a special architecture.

Here is a good example of what you need:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/iBooks-PowerBooks/G3-Lombard/

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Answer 9

cnegrad Author

Level 1

0 points

May 1, 2008 5:05 PM in response to jpl

Thanks JPL; I ordered 512megs of ram directly from your link. One more question:

It seems that this laptop has one odd quirk: After booting up, the screen darkens as right when the desktop appears. I have to hit the screen brightness button, and then everything is fine. Why would it do this, and what can I do about it? Thanks!

Reminder: Powerbook G3 266mhz, OS 10.2.8, 128 megs RAM.

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Answer 10

jpl

Level 7

28,285 points

May 1, 2008 6:59 PM in response to cnegrad

cnegrad,

Yes, one of the many quirks running OSX on the Wallstreet; the "fix" requires any bootable Classic CD, meaning the original Powerbook G3 Series CD (a special OS 8.1), any retail OS 8.5 > 9.2.2 CD, or any utilities CD like Norton or DiskWarrior.

I replied to another poster here with the same issue:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1496202&tstart=0

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