iBook PowerPC G3

Question

iBook PowerPC G3

I'm new to macs, as in used one a couple of times, more use to PC's..

I recently was given an iBook PowerPC G3, small little thing, and as I'm becoming familiar with it...

I tried to use the Software Update tool from System Preferences but all it's doing is displaying the blue marble with the surrounding arrows image and the text Loading Software Update...

Nothing seems to be happening. Should I be getting some kind of message... No Updates Available or something like that?

Please help, thank you

iBook PowerPC G3, Mac OS X (10.2.x)

Posted on Oct 14, 2009 6:06 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Oct 14, 2009 7:28 PM in response to Jose Antonio Pelayo

Can you quit Software Update? (Command + q)

If not, trying pressing Command (Apple key) + the period key. This sometimes will stop a process from continuing.

If that doesn't work, click on the Apple logo in the top left corner of the display and choose "Force Quit" from the drop-down menu. Select Software Update from the list and force-quit it.

Once you've managed to quit Software Update, go to Applications > Utilities > System Profiler and see exactly which version of Mac OS X 10.2 you're running. If it's 10.2.8, it's up to date.

Reply

Answer 2

Oct 14, 2009 10:02 PM in response to Ronda Wilson

Hi Ronda,

Thank you for your quick reply. It's not that the window or application was stuck or frozen I just thought, like the PC user I am, that updates were something one just did.

I posted because I've been unable to update my Adobe Flash Player to version 10, I'm told that I require Mac OS X 10.4 or higher, I'm currently on 10.2.8 but as you mentioned that's up to date so what now?

Do I need to purchase the 10.4?
Will I need to update the OS every time in order to update other software on my iBook?

Again, thank you.

Peace

Reply

Answer 3

Oct 14, 2009 10:47 PM in response to Jose Antonio Pelayo

Well, if you want to run modern up-to-date applications requiring a minimum of Mac OS X 10.4, you are going to have to buy Mac OS X 10.4, yes.

The update to Mac OS X 10.2.8 came out in October of 2003, so it is ancient by computer standards.
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/apple/macosx_updates/macosxupdate1028.html

Requirements for Mac OS X 10.4:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1514?viewlocale=en_US

I would recommend maximizing the RAM with a 512 MB RAM module (if that hasn't already been done).

There may be older versions of Flash Player that will work for you, but keep in mind that the G3 iBook was discontinued in October of 2003 and YouTube wasn't started until February of 2005,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YouTube

so expecting wonders from the iBook maybe isn't wise if you're expecting smooth video streaming.

Good luck!

Reply

Answer 4

Oct 15, 2009 1:08 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

Ronda,

Again, thank you for your quick reply; are we nocturnal kin?

I'm always expecting wonders, Ronda, life has a way of revealing them to us if we stay open to the possibility.

Still, there are exceptions to the rule but even then all is not lost. My ibook may have out-lived its wonder but I was still able to reach out across "The cornfields of Nebraska" and meet Ronda Wilson; even if for a brief moment in time.

Thank you again.

Peace,
Jose Antonio

Message was edited by: Jose Antonio Pelayo

Reply

Answer 5

kmac1036

Level 4

2,370 points

Oct 15, 2009 7:03 AM in response to Jose Antonio Pelayo

Rhonda is correct on everything she's stated so far..

with 10.4, there are 2 media - CDs & DVDs.

the G3 iBooks rarely shipped with a DVD drive. So please verify that your system can read a DVD disc. otherwise you'll need an external firewire DVD drive or OS X 10.4 Install CDs, which aren't easy to come by.

& You'll want to stay away from Flash 10. there has been performance issues with this plugin on the PPC Macs. to my knowledge, youtube doesn't require it yet. some of the other streaming sites may, but there isn't many which are going to play back smooth.

my work machine, a Dec. '07 Dell D630, doesn't playback well at all, XP or Vista.

Reply

Answer 6

Oct 15, 2009 7:53 AM in response to kmac1036

kmac1036,

Thank you for your post.

I never questioned Ronda's word on the subject, still I do appreciate your input and heads up on the iBook’s limitations, it would explain how I came by it so cheaply; as it was given to me. Not complaining however, I'm grateful, the wonders’ continue I’m just staying open to the possibilities.

Thanks again

Peace

Reply

Answer 7

kmac1036

Level 4

2,370 points

Oct 15, 2009 8:57 AM in response to Jose Antonio Pelayo

I didn't mean to come across as you were doubting her, I was merely 2nd-ing what she was saying.

even if you would have to settle for a copy of 10.3 panther, this is a great machine to "get your feet wet" with the macs.

Reply

Answer 8

Oct 15, 2009 1:23 PM in response to kmac1036

kmac1036,

You know, I thought that my comment could be taken that way and I sent it anyways.

No worries my friend, you never came across as someone second guessing anyone, your advise was well received and taken.

It's a little small for my taste, okay for my vision, but I agree, I'll soon be up to my knees in mac awareness.

Thanks again for your help.

Peace,

Reply

Answer 9

Oct 15, 2009 5:55 PM in response to kmac1036

kmac,

Actually more iBooks G3 (Dual USB) came with DVD capability than without, but some are CD-ROM (only reads CDs) and a very few others are CD-RW (reads and write CDs but no DVD capability whatsoever). Some of the early models were DVD (reads both CDs and DVDs), but many have Combo drives (read both CDs and DVDs, and writes CDs).

So, whether or not the iBook has DVD capability depends on which particular model (MHz rating and production date) it is.

I kept my iBook G3 (Dual USB) 800 MHz (with the Combo drive) in Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther) because it is capable of booting with the original 128 MB of RAM which is soldered to the logic board (whereas Mac OS X 10.4 requires 256 MB of RAM). Once in awhile RAM fails, and it is simply my cautious nature to want to be able to troubleshoot RAM problems by removing the 512 MB extra RAM module and still be able to use the iBook (albeit slowly).

However, if you are needing Mac OS X 10.4 and the iBook is DVD-deficient and you have the DVD version of Mac OS 10.4, there is a way around the problem, provided you have access to another Mac with FireWire.

http://www.oreillynet.com/mac/blog/2005/05/thecats_mustachesinstalling.html

Reply