Please help me with my new g3 beige :D

If you just want to experiment with it and don't intend to use it for the internet, OS 9.1 or 9.2.2 (both of which are downloadable updates to OS 9.0) would be OK. There is a definite lack of modern internet browsers for OS 9.x, so if you wanted to surf the web, I'd recommend Panther (OS 10.3.x), which requires a (free/downloadable) helper application (XPostFacto) to install on a beige G3. The Panther retail/universal installer CD set can be found at eBay, and I'd avoid buying a model-specific Restore CD from a newer Mac. The beige G3's onboard IDE controller doesn't support 48-bit LBA, so 128 GBs is the largest capacity hard drive recognized. A Mac-compatible ATA-133 controller card, like the Acard AEC-6280M, is the hardware solution for using large capacity drives. Any of the widely available 3.5" IDE/EIDE P-ATA hard drives can be installed and formatted for use in the Mac. G4 processor upgrades (ZIF type) are available for these Macs, but cost many times the market value of the computer. The memory controller can recognize a maximum of 768 MBs of unbuffered, non-ECC, non-parity SDRAM (PC66, PC100, or backward-compatible PC-133), using a 256 MB DIMM in each slot. A compatible 256 MB DIMM must have 128 Megabit (low density) chips on the card, which means that there would be 8 chips on each side of the card for a total of 16 chips. A Mac-compatible graphics card would take one of the (3) available PCI slots (the ATI Radeon 9200 can be found here). Some have successfully flashed the EEPROM on a "PC" graphics card with a Mac ROM. You'd definitely want a USB PCI card installed, and with OS 10.3, a USB 2.0 card would function at high speed, which isn't the case when running OS 9.x. You will easily exceed the value of a mint-condition beige G3, if you were to purchase any of these upgrades. You may want to add up the total, before you proceed. The beige G3s are now 10 years-old, so pouring significant $$ into one at this time may not be advisable.

This article has links for info on setting up file/internet sharing over a LAN. I used Internet Explorer 5.1.7 (final pre-OS X release in 2001) for years, but about 1-2 years ago, I started getting compatibility messages related to upgrading my browser. Netscape Communicator was another option, but was a memory hog. Mozilla also had a pre-OS X browser. Some forum regulars recommend iCab for older Macs.

You'd only need an ATA-133 controller card, if you wanted to have full capacity recognition of a 160 GB hard drive (or larger). The beige G3's onboard IDE controller can fully recognize a 120 GB drive or smaller. You can add a standard 3.5" IDE/E-IDE, Parallel ATA (not Serial ATA or SATA) hard drive, the same type as used in PCs. If you found a 10 GB or 20 GB hard drive, it would probably be a used pull, as that small capacity isn't manufactured anymore. Either of the expansion bays to the left of the optical drive bay in the desktop model can accommodate a 3.5" drive. You'll need the appropriate plastic mounting sled for the drive, because the upper bay uses a slightly different style sled than the lower bay does. The second hard drive would have to share the ATA bus with the optical drive, because there's no feasible way to connect the original hard drive (where it's mounted) and the second hard drive to the same ATA cable/bus. If you were to move the existing hard drive to the lower 3.5" upper drive bay and install the second hard drive directly above it, their shared ribbon cable could be fed through the same slot used by the optical drive's ribbon cable. You would also have to feed the power cable up from the lower chassis floor. This arrangement would require removal of the optional Zip drive, if your desktop model has one.

Go to " Data Memory Systems" web site, click on "G3 Memory," but choose one of the Blue and White G3 models listed for compatible PC-100 memory for your beige G3. Their memory for the beige G3 models may only be PC-66, which I wouldn't buy today. The PC-100 memory is actually a better choice for the beige G3s. Compatible 256 MB DIMMs will be 168-pin, PC-100 (unbuffered, non-ECC, non-parity) SDRAM with low density (128 Megabit) chips. The correct memory card will have 8 chips on both the front and back of the card, for a total of 16 chips. If you buy a 256 MB DIMM that only has 8 chips on one side of the card or 4 chips on the front and 4 on the back, the memory has 256 Megabit chips, which aren't supported by the beige G3's memory controller.

I think the Radeon 9200 is almost too good for a beige G3, given the price tag. To save some $$, I'd look for an older/used Radeon 7000 for Macs at eBay, which is still much better than the onboard ATI graphics chip.

Here are some weblinks where you can find some old articles and other info on the G3's and do-it-yourself installation of hardware upgrades, etc.

http://www.lowendmac.com/ppc/index.shtml

http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/G3-ZONE/

The beige G3 is a very good match for someone who is used to "building" PCs. It has a replaceable processor module and replaceable drives and 3 PCI slots. The sound card can also be replaced by a sound/Video card. You will have a great time.

Hello Tony,

Spent many a happy hour upgrading Beige G3s.

You should be able to find a longer round "ribbon" cable, which will let you hide a second (or third) hard drive next to or above the CD drive (replaces the floppy). Be creative! I think there's a little piece of the second storey tray that removes to make life easier.

Needed drive sleds are available - Olde Mac Milt is one source on eBay.

I'd definitely recommend the controller card, though an older, cheaper ATA-66 or ATA-100 card (usually from Sonnet) should work just as well as the ATA-133 Acard. Seagate made a nice ATA-100 80GB 7200rpm Barracuda HD - ST380013A - many of which are still around and in good shape, and available reasonably on eBay.

For graphics, I preferred the original Radeon Mac with the fan to the later Radeon 7000.

A 450MHz CPU from a B&W - clocked to 466MHz - makes a good addition, and runs happily and without problem. The reclocked jumper block is replaced by the smaller 2mm - SCSI style - individual jumpers, or you can tease the inserts out of the original jumper block and reposition them. Visit the XLR8yourmac G3 Zone.

A USB card is a must, and you need to install the USB card in its PCI slot and then re-install the OS in order to get the installer to recognise the USB card.

Both IE 5.1.7 and the latest iCab are usable, but only just. They simply don't perform well enough to make web surfing a pleasure.

Enjoy! I certainly did.

Jon

I agree with most of the above. I don't think you need to reinstall the OS after adding a USB card. Just download and run Apple's USB 1.4.1 support and restart.

If yours doesn't have it, get the AV personality card which has RCA and S-video input and output. Very useful. I think there's a DVD personality card too which might be preferable depending on your preferences. That was redundant i know.

The best OS 9 browser is Mozilla 1.3.1. I use it everyday and there is even a .FLV plugin for it, e.g. for Youtube videos (although they don't usually play smoothly). C'est la vie when using ten year old hw. Fortunately, the Beige G3 was ahead of its time in 1998.

paulpen, you wrote:

I don't think you need to reinstall the OS after adding a USB card. Just download and run Apple's USB 1.4.1 support and restart.

Your advice is right for OS 8.6.

But USB support 1.4.1 is not adequate for some OS 9, and Apple has not made the "right" versions available for separate download. That is why the advice to re-install Mac OS has become the "conventional wisdom". A re-install after the card is present always installs the right version of the about half-dozen extensions needed.

31132- USB Adapter Card Support 1.4.1 Document and Software (includes notes)

"Important: Mac OS versions 9.1 and later include a later version of this software. Installing USB Adapter Card Support 1.4.1 over Mac OS 9.1, 9.2 or later could result in the USB adapter card not working."

Oh sh__, are you kidding me? (Shaking my head) I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but... (still shaking my head) that's not a "real" G3.

That is a PowerMac 7300 with a G3 (version) processor. The first generation "PowerMac" pre-G3 machines had a "daughter card" design, similar, but not "ZIF" design or spec.
Way to be introduced into the Mac world Mr. PC.

I +really really+ wish it were a G3.

*Shame on all of you Apple Helpers who missed that +little green text+ at the bottom! Shame on you!*

A G3 by definition is the PowerMac that at the time was one of the fastest computing machines, and sports a "ZIF" processor (Zero Insertion Force). A processor that can be changed for faster ones as they become available with little to no trouble in doing so. The (form factor) case design was made to be simple, or easier, to open and maintain than the older design of the first generation "PowerMac" where their case cover would be hinged and/or removed. Please, don't get me wrong. The 7300 is after all a "real" PowerMac", so you're good to go there.

The speed of the logicboard (mother board) on a G3 was 66.83MHz... the PCI 33MHz
The speed of the logicboard on the earlier "PowerMac" computers was 50MHz — not a big deal, but a performance difference and most importantly, an "expansion" difference due to the form factor of the case, and design layouts of the boards.

Everybodys replied advice is "Void".
Tony... thank you for posting your "specs" as suggested... unfortunately for you... *EVERBODY MISSED IT!* I hope you didn't spend any money (yet). I'm sure you found out it didn't work if you did.

The specifications on the 7300 are far different than you were led to believe.
http://www.macgurus.com/products/motherboards/mbppc7300.php

Either way, you have a nice Macintosh and I hope you enjoy what you have, and a very BIG WELCOME to the Mac side!!! 🙂

"Happy Mac-ing!" — Jon Lamont

Message was edited by: Jon Lamont

Message was edited by: Jon Lamont

Message was edited by: Jon Lamont

Message was edited by: Jon Lamont

Message was edited by: Jon Lamont

Message was edited by: Jon Lamont

Message was edited by: Jon Lamont