Network and Upgrade PowerMac 6500

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Level 1

9 points

Network and Upgrade PowerMac 6500

I own a PowerMac 6500 that could be considered all but new. It was never used very much by the original owner. It came originally with OS 8.X, but it has been upgraded to OS 9.1. I believe this is as far as this computer can be upgraded.

I'm not that Mac knowledgeable, my Leopard iMac is the first Mac I've ever owned.

I would like to add this computer to my home network, but the computer is at the other end of the house. I occasionally use the computer, and for file transfer I have to use the old "sneaker net" method using Zip 100 disks. That method is becoming a PITA since the ZIP units are/have disappeared.

And I would like to keep the cost as low as possible. This is a project of convenience, not of necessity.

My router is a Netgear RangeMax wireless router, model WNR834Bv2.

There are no ethernet ports on the rear of the computer.

I would prefer to run an ethernet cable, but when I think of the work it would take, I'm not particularly fond of that idea. So, I'd be willing to do a wireless connection if the cost doesn't get out of hand.

What would I need to buy to connect to the network, both wired and wireless?

Anyone have suggestions as to where to find the needed hardware?

The computer has 94mb of RAM, which I would like to increase. I do have a lot of old RAM chips from old PC's laying about. Any chance any of these extra RAM chips I have would work? Could I actually swap some of the chips and turn the computer on without risking any damage?

Any help and advice would appreciated.

Thanks.

Ken

iMac - Intel based, Mac OS X (10.5.8), 4 GB RAM, 1 TB hard drive

Posted on Feb 1, 2010 2:56 PM

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Answer 1

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

24,313 points

Feb 1, 2010 9:23 PM in response to snowshed

What would I need to buy to connect to the network, both wired and wireless?

Regarding Ethernet cards, this web page could perhaps be of interest to you.

The best Wi-Fi solution would probably be to use a wireless Ethernet bridge (connected to the Ethernet port, once an appropriate card is installed). These devices (also known as gaming adapters) are available from a number of manufacturers, both for 802.11g and 802.11n(draft). Examples include Belkin F5D7330, D-Link DWL-G820, Linksys WET54G, Linksys WET610N and Netgear WGE111. Some older models/variants may not support WPA security (if so, check whether a firmware update can be downloaded). A wireless Ethernet bridge does not require special drivers, and can thus be used under almost any operating system.

Jan

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Answer 2

Feb 3, 2010 10:03 PM in response to snowshed

Hi the 6500 used a comm slot 10T ethernet card or you could add one to the PCI card riser in the Mac. The latter should be a lot easier to locate and a lot cheaper too!

If you do a google search for, PCI ethernet cards for Powermac 6500 you should come up with a lot of information. I suspect wireless PCI cards that are Mac compatible might be more $$ but just add ' wireless ' to the first search and check out what they mention. Problem may be with the OS you are using in the end.

I typically shop eBay but also check out kijiji and craigslist plus if you have a local Macintosh User Group (MUG) in your area someone like me might have something that would do the trick for you.

As for memory, you need to be careful as your 6500 required 5v dimms and not the later more common 3.3v ones found in the G3's and G4's.

Other World Computing (macsales.com) used to carry 5v dimms they might even have the wireless cards too. Check out their garage sale which might be under the clearance or specials tab!

Kevin

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Answer 3

Feb 4, 2010 7:48 AM in response to Niteshooter

the 6500 used a comm slot 10T ethernet card or you could add one to the PCI card riser in the Mac. The latter should be a lot easier to locate and a lot cheaper too!

Good advice, however...
1) it uses a comm slot II card, which is not the same as a comm slot card.
2) if you use a PCI slot Ethernet card, you use up your one (or is it two in the 6500?) PCI slots you may want for a USB card later.

Best results are 5 Volt EDO Dimms, and are available here:

http://www.datamemorysystems.com/Apple-PowerMac-6400-6500-5500-&-20th-Anniversary-Memory-Upgrades/C_1111

Message was edited by: Grant Bennet-Alder

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Answer 4

snowshed Author

Level 1

9 points

Feb 8, 2010 11:31 AM in response to Jan Hedlund

Hi, Jan,

I apologize for the tardy reply, life got in the way, and just now had time to get back to the discussion.

The router I have for the network is also wireless so I shouldn't need a bridge. I use the wireless portion for updating my cell phone. All I think I need is a card in the computer.

I was just given a Netgear wireless bridge, and this has me wondering, would it also serve as a receiver as well as a transmitter? My tech knowledge in this area is admittedly weak, and I haven't had the time to research this.

I also have an old D-Link Wireless USB adapter, but the computer does not have a USB port either.

Ken

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Answer 5

snowshed Author

Level 1

9 points

Feb 8, 2010 11:38 AM in response to Jan Hedlund

Jan,

I forgot to thank you for that web page. I've printed it out for reading later.

I'm old school, I hate reading the monitor, and the monitor's hard to read from my recliner!! LOL!

Ken

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Answer 6

snowshed Author

Level 1

9 points

Feb 8, 2010 11:51 AM in response to Niteshooter

Hi, Niteshooter,

As with Jan above, I apologize for the tardy reply, life got in the way, and just now had time to get back to the discussion.

Like you, I suspect getting things done wirelessly is likely to be the more expensive route. I could do a wired connection, but I'm trying to avoid crawling on the ground in the crawlspace, which is minimal.

As for the OS, the computer is updated as far as can be done, at System 9.1. I will be posting the question of confirming the OS will support networking in the OS 9 discussion group. From reading a book I have on OS 9, I suspect that it does.

Would you have any idea of the average voltage for dimms from older PC's. I have a collection of old ram chips I've accumulated over the years. If I can't do something for free regarding the RAM, I'll just leave it alone.

This is a project of fun more than of necessity.

I'm on Other World Computing's mailing list, so that was one of the first places I was going to check. Personally, when it comes to electronics, I rarely check eBay anymore. Not that the desired product isn't there, but I almost invariably find cheaper prices at www.nextag.com .

Ken

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Answer 7

snowshed Author

Level 1

9 points

Feb 8, 2010 11:58 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hi, Grant,

As with the other posters, I apologize for the tardy reply. I'm taking a break from shoveling new snow. No, I'm not in the NE with all of that snow, I'm at 9,000' in the Colorado Rockies.

What is the difference between the two types of comm slot cards? Is there more than one of these comm slots in a 6500?

If the back of the case is not lying to me, there are 2 PCI slots in the 6500. I haven't had the cover off the computer since I got it probably 7 years ago.

Maybe someone will take pity on me and just give me everything! LOL I was just given a working 3 port Firewire PCI card for older PCs.

Ken

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Answer 8

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

24,313 points

Feb 8, 2010 3:01 PM in response to snowshed

Hello Ken,

The router I have for the network is also wireless so I shouldn't need a bridge. I use the wireless portion for updating my cell phone. All I think I need is a card in the computer.

A wireless Ethernet bridge does not replace the wireless router. The router acts as a base station. The wireless Ethernet bridge in this case (connected by cable to the Ethernet network card in the computer) operates as a wireless adapter, and connects wirelessly to the base station.

Instead of using a wireless Ethernet bridge combined with an Ethernet network card, it would in principle be possible to use one single (PCI) wireless card in the computer. However, the problem can be finding drivers for the operating system in question. A wireless Ethernet bridge device does not have this problem.

I was just given a Netgear wireless bridge, and this has me wondering, would it also serve as a receiver as well as a transmitter?

Which model is it?

A wireless Ethernet bridge can both send and receive, just as a wireless network card.

I also have an old D-Link Wireless USB adapter, but the computer does not have a USB port either.

Even if you could install a USB (PCI) card, you would probably face the same problem as above with the drivers for the wireless USB adapter.

Jan

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Answer 9

snowshed Author

Level 1

9 points

Feb 8, 2010 3:40 PM in response to Jan Hedlund

Hi, Jan.

Your explanation of the wireless bridge matches what I thought from reading the instruction manual. I got the "shebang" when a friend was cleaning out her old computer stuff. However, my impression from reading the manual is you can plug the bridge into a computer's ethernet port, and then any other computer that is capable of wireless can then connect to your computer for file sharing. And I assume, and internet connection via modem. But a "crossover" cable is needed, which I also have. 🙂

The unit is a Netgear ME101.

As for drivers for this and any card (USB or Ethernet) I might buy, I'll check for drivers for the Mac before any purchase. I've worked a lot with old computers, and that's one of the first things I do when solving problems for friends.

I'm actually starting to lean towards dropping the wireless idea, and running an ethernet cable under the house. I've got other reasons for crawling under there, such as adding phone jacks to other rooms, plus I need to add additional supports for this double wide I have in the mountains.

Ken

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Answer 10

Feb 8, 2010 8:12 PM in response to snowshed

What is the difference between the two types of comm slot cards?

Your Mac will have one or the other, never both. Comm slots first appeared in 68000 Macs. Comm II slots in four-digit (PowerPC) Macs. They use the same connector, but the connector is reversed from one to the other. So if you get a slot card that fits, but the business-end is not facing the backpanel, you know it is the wrong type.

I suspected as I was writing that the 6500 might have a double riser-card that supports two PCI cards. That makes your decision easier. "You have options."

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Answer 11

Feb 8, 2010 8:16 PM in response to snowshed

confirming the OS will support networking...

Yes it will. Systems as old as System 4.2 will support networking. Networking got much better in 7.5.3 with the introduction of Open Transport.

Do you want Internet Access, or File Sharing (and with what Mac OS or other computer) ??

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Answer 12

Feb 8, 2010 8:21 PM in response to snowshed

If you want to know what sort of RAM chips are on a particular module, this Dutch web site can provide the clues needed for an interesting bit of detective work.

http://www.chipmunk.nl/DRaM/DRAM.htm

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Answer 13

snowshed Author

Level 1

9 points

Feb 8, 2010 9:04 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Eventually, both. I had it on the internet years ago with the modem.

For OS"s, right now, Leopard on another Mac, possibly Snow Leopard later.

A second computer, once repaired, will be a multiboot PC with Win98, XP Pro, and Vista. At some point, Win 7 will be added, but it will likely be a 3rd computer.

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Answer 14

snowshed Author

Level 1

9 points

Feb 8, 2010 9:05 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks. I've printed the first page of the process so I can get back to it when I have time.

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Answer 15

Feb 9, 2010 12:26 PM in response to snowshed

Appletalk/LocalTalk is only directly supported in OS 9, but a Bridge can be used to convert Appletalk-over-Ethernet if needed.

File Sharing with AppleTalk-over-Ethernet is supported up through Mac OS X 10.3.

OS 9 contains support for IP File Sharing which will allow you to connect up through 10.5 Leopard. For 10.6 Snow Leopard, a new version of Apple File Protocol was introduced, so you may have to initiate the Sharing from the Snow Leopard computer.

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