Kensington Slimblade Media Notebook issue w/G4 I Cube

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Level 1

8 points

Kensington Slimblade Media Notebook issue w/G4 I Cube

I was recently given a PowerPCG4 I Cube -450MHz and 384 MB SDRAM running OS 10.3.9 and am wondering if going to a higher OS would be good or just a waste of money given the cost of new hardware. I love the system - but my Kensington Slimblade mouse/keyboard will not work with it. If I touch any of the function switches (mouse button or those on the keyboard) the screen goes brown and shuts down the system. Kensington is sending a replacement unit but I think the issue is greater ... given the keyboard function buttons cause the same problem - just typing does not bring on issues. It seems like for downloading web content - or uploading ... i need 10.4.1 or higher. Is installing a fairly simple process or will I lose all my data? I can't tell how much memory I have available ... (what else is new?) any help would be appreciated. My Sony Vaio is here looking at me like an abandoned stepchild - I keep thinking about going back ...

G4 ICube, Mac OS X (10.3.x), 450 MHz PowerPC G4 384 MB SDRAM

Posted on Jul 16, 2008 10:04 AM

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Answer 1

Allan Jones

Level 9

78,284 points

Jul 16, 2008 6:20 PM in response to Margiulin

I'm not familiar with the Kensington product but I know that 10.4 changed some keyboard management. I'd been using an ADB-to-USB adapter under Panther to keep a much loved Apple M3501 ADB board in service. When I upgraded to Tiger, the adaptor caused many strange USB problem. I take it Kensington says you need 10.4?

As far as upgrading, assuming your current system and boot drive has no significant problems, the "Archive and Install" option offered by OSX will preserve your existing data and even most user settings and passwords. 384MB RAM is, IMHO, just a tad light for Tiger. More is better, but I tend to consider 512MB to be minimum for a happy Tiger experience.

The other option is to pick up a used older Apple USBkeyboard that's ± contemporary with the Cube. That would be much cheaper that finding a retail copy of Tiger (some places are now asking up to US$250 for legit disk sets) and a stick of RAM.

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Answer 2

Margiulin Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 18, 2008 9:16 PM in response to Margiulin

many thanks ... since your reply I received the replacement units from Kensington and they say 10.4. is the minimum OS. I will try to tweak and manage this situation ... thanks for your support.

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Answer 3

Allan Jones

Level 9

78,284 points

Jul 18, 2008 9:36 PM in response to Margiulin

Yesterday afternoon I phoned the Apple Store to see if one could still get Tiger, and was told yes. Therefore it isn't necessary to hazard a trip to the eBay jungle in hopes of getting a real retail copy instead of a gross misrepresentation.

You have to call to get Tiger; it's not offered on the web store.

Allan

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Answer 4

Margiulin Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 19, 2008 6:02 PM in response to Allan Jones

Thank you so much for your help. I will call Apple and get the upgrade ... I think it is worth it and it certainly is nice to have all this assistance with issues ... I don't remember that happening with my Windows systems ... : ) Have a good Sunday

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Answer 5

Allan Jones

Level 9

78,284 points

Jul 19, 2008 8:19 PM in response to Margiulin

I'm glad I could help.

and it certainly is nice to have all this assistance with issues ... I don't remember that happening with my Windows system

I've always said it's because Windows users tolerate their computers but Mac users love theirs. 😀

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