These are needed for my 180c- know where they can be gotten?

For hardware check [LEM swap on Google Groups|http://groups.google.com/group/lemswap/topics].

I'm guessing your computer could run OS 7.5.3 which you can download for free off Apple's site, though it is a bit hard to find since it is in a special area for old, old things. This was the last free OS.

I need a HDI 30 SCSI disk adapter (M2539), HDI 30 SCSI system cable (M2538) and an Express Modem (M1366).

You could perhaps try an online auction site (for instance, eBay). Use the whole or parts of the descriptions for a search.

There are also third-party HDI-30 to DB-25 adapters (preferably, with a switch) that can be used together with a DB-25 to CEN-50 SCSI cable.

Also, how hard is it to add a memory chip of 4MB or 8MB as my PB 180c can only take 14MB total?

You will need a set of Torx screwdrivers to open the PowerBook (four screws in the lower half and one near the SCSI connector). It is not very difficult.

Can a USB flash drive be used with this computer, that is if the HDI 30 SCSI adpater is for a USB connection?

You cannot use USB with this computer.

It is possible to find floppy disk adapters for SmartMedia or Memory Stick flash memory cards (but these will, typically, be read-only on a Macintosh, and the system requirements may prevent you from using them here). There may even be some kind of external SCSI adapter available for such or similar cards.

where can I get a disk to update my system to the latest one that my computer can tolerate?

You can download System 7.5.3 ( here). However, System 7.1 (which is not downloadable) is often a good and fast system for a Macintosh computer with a 68030 processor.

If necessary, manuals can be found here. The PowerBook 180c document here could possibly be of interest, too. Regarding SCSI, you may want to have a look at this article.

Jan

MAC32,

Just had a nice drive through Oregon the other day. Not sure where in Oregon you are at but if you get to Seattle, check out RE PC. They have retired Mac supplies. Did not have time to check in Portland for recycling stores. The SCSI adapter is best suited for using the laptop hard drive in what is now called target mode, or in other words, as an external drive for another SCSI capable computer.

Post back with a city in Oregon and I can suggest options for resources in the Northwest.

Jim

This might sound a bit crazy but it might be worth keeping an eye on Craigslist or Kijiji in your area as well and look for complete kits which might contain the missing bits you are looking for such as the AC adaptor, modem, cables and adaptors.

I would also recommend local computer recyclers as these are very old laptops so for the most part they are being sold as scrap or collectors items. You can't win.... not saying it's a bad computer just that it's age makes it something to think twice about in terms of spending the $$$ for upgrades since you could easily spend upwards of $100 on these bits vs spending that same amount of money on a used PowerBook G3 Wallstreet or perhaps even a Lombard which would be a lot more useful.....

As Jan mentioned you can't add USB to this PowerBook.

But for me the most useful upgrades would be,

-more memory, problem is this PowerBook uses proprietary memory cards eg they are only specific to the 165c and 180c. This place sells it but I believe it will be cheaper to find a working or dead PB 165c/180c and pull the memory from it.
http://www.memoryx.net/powerbook180c.html

-Instead of the Express modem you might want to consider an Asante EN/SC SCSI to ethernet adaptor. They came in several versions but the one you want is the mini version with the square 50 oin plug that fits into the SCSI port on the back of the 180c. I only see one on eBay and it's insanely priced. But installing this will allow you to access ethernet for filesharing if you have a hub or router and also have limited access to the internet.... I say limited only due to the age of the browsers you can use due to OS, speed and memory of that PowerBook.

-SCSI internal HD, due to the age of the PowerBook there is a good chance it is worn out.

The HDI 30 adaptor is not a USB connection. What it is is a cable that allows you to attach a standard centronics 50 device to your PowerBook (Apple cables, aftermarket cables can be DB 25) and attach that cable to an external SCSI device such as a CD rom or hard drive. There are two types of Apple cables one which puts the PowerBook into SCSI disk mode so it can be hooked up as an external SCSI device and standard one that allows you to attach SCSI devices. If you are buying Apple cables the light grey cable is the one you want as this is not the SCSI disk mode cable. A darker grey almost black cable is the wrong one. Sorry this is really confusing. Granted you'd probably want some SCSI devices to hook up to...

I didn't think a SCSI to USB connector existed but it looks like it did at one time,

http://www.usbgear.com/computercabledetails.cfm?sku=326605&cats=117&catid=644%2C117

Seems rather expensive though and again you could buy a used PowerBook G3 for that kind of money.

Other cables here,

http://www.nextag.com/scsi-to-usb/products-html

This is the adaptor Jan is talking about,
http://www.computercablesource.com/scsi-adapter-apple-powerbook-hdi-30-male-to-d b-25-female-external-se-981.html

Personally I never had good success with these adaptors and preferred the cables.

I'm probably the last one to talk someone out of maxing out an old PowerBook but the cost might not make sense....

Kevin