This discussion is locked
S.U.

Q: PowerBook 145B--Network Extension

Recently I was given a PowerBook 145B, and when trying to access the Sharing Setup or Users and Groups, I get the following message:

"This control panel can be used only when the Network Extension is present. To open this control, first put the Network Extension in the extensions folder and restart your Macintosh."

How do I do this?

Also, I cannot connect to the internet. I don't believe that there is an internal modem since the Mac was set for an external one, which I don't have. Are there any sources for telephone modems, either internal or external?

The Mac appears to be running OS 7.5, and I am not at all familiar with this OS.

Thanks in advance.

MBP, 17"hi res, 2.4GHz Intel Core Duo, 4GB RAM, 250GB HDD, Mac OS X (10.6.3), iBook G4, 800 MHz; iPad; 1999 CRT iMac Rev. C: PB 145B; Bondi Blue Rev. B

Posted on Jun 1, 2010 7:52 PM

Close

Q: PowerBook 145B--Network Extension

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Jan Hedlund,Helpful

    Jan Hedlund Jan Hedlund Jun 2, 2010 5:46 AM in response to S.U.
    Level 6 (9,894 points)
    Jun 2, 2010 5:46 AM in response to S.U.
    Hi,

    You could begin by checking whether the extension in question is placed somewhere else (in another folder, within or outside the System Folder). If so, move it to the Extensions folder.

    If necessary, there is a full System 7.5.3 (for example, a US version) available for download from Apple. In this case, a Network Software Selector (in an Apple Extras folder) allows you to choose between "classic" networking (MacTCP and Network control panels active) and Open Transport networking (TCP/IP and AppleTalk control panels active).

    If the computer does not have an internal modem (in the United States probably with an RJ-11 connector directly; elsewhere often MiniDIN-8 for the connection of an external DAA box), you should see a cover plate next to the SCSI port.

    A standard PC-style serial (external) modem can be connected to the Modem Port (near the start button). Such modems do typically have DB-25F connectors. In order to use the modem with the PowerBook 145B, you would need a Mac modem cable (MiniDIN-8M to DB-25M).

    A manual for this PowerBook can be found here.

    Jan
  • by S.U.,

    S.U. S.U. Jun 2, 2010 8:28 PM in response to Jan Hedlund
    Level 6 (8,360 points)
    Jun 2, 2010 8:28 PM in response to Jan Hedlund
    Thank you for all the good information. I downloaded the manual and obviously have a lot of reading to do.

    So far I have not been able to find the Network Extension, but will keep looking. It does look like I do have an internal modem after all, as there is a telephone connector on the back. It may just be that I don't know how to configure it. Or it may not be working. I have found a picture of the cable I would need if I could find a non-USB external modem. Also a possible source of a replacement internal modem. I do have an Apple external USB modem, but I am not certain how I could use that. There seem to be adaptors for practically everything, so I need to look some more.

    The hard drive says 69.4 MB on disk. I don't know if that would be considered an 80 MB disk or not. I get the impression the disk is pretty full, as sometimes when I try to open something, I get a message saying there isn't enough memory to do so.

    You mentioned the 7.5.3 download. Ideally I would like to do something like an erase and install and remove all of the previous owner's stuff and have a fresh installation of the OS. Am I right to assume that this would be possible on OS 7.5? Also, would I need to use floppy discs to accomplish this? Forgive my ignorance, but I really know nothing about these early Macs. Would I want to download the 7.5.3 system on my MBP and then put it on a floppy and then boot from the floppy? I don't have a floppy drive, but I may be able to come up with one. In the meantime, I will work on configuring the internet connection and see if I can get it working. I still have about 2 months of dial up left. So far I don't see a way to share my internet connection with this computer.

    Thanks again!
  • by Jan Hedlund,Solvedanswer

    Jan Hedlund Jan Hedlund Jun 3, 2010 12:07 AM in response to S.U.
    Level 6 (9,894 points)
    Jun 3, 2010 12:07 AM in response to S.U.
    Hi again,

    It does look like I do have an internal modem after all, as there is a telephone connector on the back. It may just be that I don't know how to configure it. Or it may not be working.


    Depending upon the type of internal modem, you may or may not need additional software. For an Apple (Fax/Data) modem something like the Express Modem 1.5.5 here could be of interest. It may become necessary to open the computer in order to determine the card type.

    I do have an Apple external USB modem, but I am not certain how I could use that.


    The PowerBook 145B does not have USB (nor do the operating systems in question support USB). So, if you wish to use an external modem, do look for an old serial modem instead.

    The hard drive says 69.4 MB on disk. I don't know if that would be considered an 80 MB disk or not.


    Combine the "on disk" and "available" values for the (formatted) total.

    I get the impression the disk is pretty full, as sometimes when I try to open something, I get a message saying there isn't enough memory to do so.


    Probably not enough RAM (see also the technical specifications). It is per se possible to enable virtual memory in the Memory control panel (using space on the hard disk = slower).

    You mentioned the 7.5.3 download. Ideally I would like to do something like an erase and install and remove all of the previous owner's stuff and have a fresh installation of the OS. Am I right to assume that this would be possible on OS 7.5? Also, would I need to use floppy discs to accomplish this?


    Yes, providing that you are using a separate boot floppy, you could do this. The 7.5.3 download is a bit special, since the nineteen files (once the .bin has been decoded) have to be placed in one folder on the hard disk. These files (one .smi and eighteen .part) together constitute a large disk image. You mount the image by double-clicking on the first (.smi). The installer will be found in the mounted image.

    Would I want to download the 7.5.3 system on my MBP and then put it on a floppy and then boot from the floppy?


    In principle, you could use any Mac or PC with a floppy drive for the download, if the MacBinary (.bin) decoding is kept intact until the individual floppy-sized segments/files have been copied to the PB 145B hard disk. Use an appropriate early version of StuffIt Expander on the PowerBook for the decoding. Before you make any attempt to erase anything from the PB 145B, it may be a very good idea to save existing files like StuffIt Expander and the PC Exchange control panel onto a Mac-formatted floppy.

    Network Access (here) can be used to make a startup floppy. You can create an actual sector-copied disk from the downloaded Network Access image via the present system on the PB 145B (use Disk Copy 4.2 for this).

    Jan
  • by S.U.,

    S.U. S.U. Jun 3, 2010 3:16 PM in response to Jan Hedlund
    Level 6 (8,360 points)
    Jun 3, 2010 3:16 PM in response to Jan Hedlund
    Jan,

    Thank you so much for all the detailed help--there is a great deal more to OS 7 than I ever realized. It's going to take me a while to learn how to do anything. Maybe the best place to start will be to read and study the manuals and try to understand how everything works. The next thing would be to go through the PB and see what's actually there.

    When I open the hard drive, I see 5 folders:

    System Folder: 21.3 MB
    Utilities: 4.2 MB
    Programs: 20.3 MB
    Telecommunications: 16.6 MB
    My Files: 5.4 MB

    The "My Files" appears to be all personal files. The "Programs" contain some Microsoft programs such as Microsoft Utilities and Microsoft Word 6. For the time being, I am not going to remove anything, but just look. When I am ready to remove something, I'll copy the files first, probably starting with the personal documents for practice.

    In the meantime, I need to start getting ready for a trip next week, so this project will need to be set aside for a while. I'll work on it when I can, and will post back if I run into further snags.

    Thank you once again for your very detailed answers to all my questions.