Installing a utilities folder on a G3 iMac that’s not online

I have an original 1998 Bondi Blue iMac 233mHz. It is not used online and I haven’t used it since 2006. After inserting a battery, switched it on and it is working again. But, the display geometry is somewhat lopsided and needs to be adjusted. I found a utility at Macgarden.org site that can be used to adjust the geometry. It’s been so long since I’ve done this, so pardon me for asking how, but can I simply download this to my Mac Mini that is online, followed by copying this utilities folder to a thumb drive, followed by inserting the thumb drive into the USB port on the old iMac and dragging the folder onto the desktop and then installing it? Or, is this incorrect and a different method preferable?

iPad Air 2, iPadOS 15

Posted on Oct 26, 2023 6:48 PM

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26 replies

djorud Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 27, 2023 4:59 PM in response to Jan Hedlund

Hi Jan, Yes, I had heard this too, but have also read that upgrading to 10.4 Tiger on these older iMacs has also been done, particularly when wishing to run more recent software. If the accelerator mod on my old 233 iMac works out, it will increase speed to 600 mHz, making it much more capable of running OSX 10.4 . This thread has evolved since the first post, but for the better and I am learning a great deal with each added post, every one of which I really appreciate as I certainly do not consider myself possessing much more than very basic knowledge of the subject.

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

22,645 points

Oct 27, 2023 5:24 PM in response to djorud

Thank you for the update. It will be interesting to follow the thread. BTW, I have a 233 MHz Bondi Blue iMac G3 in front of me right now (running Mac OS 8.6, which actually is a good version for this computer). I should perhaps add that the iMac G3 in question is not used to post this reply...

djorud Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 27, 2023 6:27 PM in response to Jan Hedlund

Actually, my iMac 233 was running OS 8.6 before updating it to 9.2.1 this morning, followed by installing the software for the Sonnett Harmoni accelerator, and then the hardware installation itself. Haven’t run it yet with the accelerator as I did some repair to the plastic front plate of the CD tray, it being loose due to some broken clips that hold it to the tray drawer. After 25 years, the plastic used for the clips has become super brittle and breaks very easily. Not sure how my epoxy repairs will work, but will know tomorrow morning after the glue cures overnight. Apple’s use of plastic clips on their early Macs has become an Achille’s heel that anyone restoring an old Mac likely knows very well. All that aside, will assess the results of today’s restoration efforts first thing in the morning. I am giving the accelerator a 50/50 chance of being functional. Will report back as soon as I find out….

Oct 27, 2023 1:12 PM in response to djorud

This screenshot from a G3 iMac running Mac OS X 10.4.x TIger.

The display geometry is found in the Display Preferences pane.

John Galt

Level 10

142,590 points

Oct 27, 2023 7:23 AM in response to djorud

Yes, they do. Adjustments are tedious. Don't hurt yourself.

John Galt

Level 10

142,590 points

Oct 27, 2023 3:42 PM in response to D.I. Johnson

That's what I was thinking of.

The original iMac's System 7 (?) may not have had a corresponding feature.

John Galt

Level 10

142,590 points

Oct 27, 2023 3:47 PM in response to djorud

The retail Tiger installation disc I have is on a DVD. As I recall CD-ROM was an available option, but when I bought it I had moved on to an iMac DV SE which incorporated a DVD drive.