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Level 4

2,349 points

Power Macintosh G3

I picked this computer up and it wouldn't start. I read online that there is a button on the motherboard I believe a cuda, I pressed it and the computer started. I could hear a musical tone come from the front speaker so seem to think it may have recognized the OS. But the screen remained black.

My question is does it require a Mac monitor? I plugged it into one of my monitors from my windows computers. I'd love to get this old computer running my first one was a Mac and haven't seen one in years and would appreciate and help you could give me.

It does have a video card in it a Rage and a 400 Mhz cpu with 384 Ram

Posted on Oct 4, 2012 10:09 AM

Best reply

BDAqua

Level 10

239,309 points

Posted on Oct 4, 2012 11:29 AM

The tone is a good sign, but which exact G3 is it?

If you don't know the model, find the Serial# & use it on one of these sites, but don't post the Serial# here...

http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html

http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.php

How to find the serial number of your Apple hardware product...

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1349

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20 replies

MichelPM

Level 10

80,980 points

Oct 12, 2012 9:43 PM in response to Jacumba

Congrats!!

So, none of us keep confusing this issue and for further recommendations and advice.

You keep calling this a G3 Mac, but mentioned it having an AGP graphics card and slot.

Just so we can be sure of the PowerMac you have, is the PowerMac's case a very bright blue and white color with a bright blue Apple logo own the side and also has "G3" written in large font between the Apple Logo?

If this is the machine you have, just to clarify, the video card is PCI card with VGA connection.

There is no AGP slot in this model.

The only other model that used PCI video is the PowerMac G4 PCI model. That model was the next PoweMac version but used a gray and graphite colored case.

AGP video model PowerMacs were first introduced in the G4 Line, not the G3 lineup of Macs.

The fact that there is OS X on your Mac means the firmware update has been applied during its working life.

We just need to know which version of OS X you are running.

And yes, PowerMacs were dual Mac OS booting. So, once you get this running there are a few different ways to get OS 9 onto this Mac. Again you would need a retail OS 9 disc. These discs were colored white with an orange "9" on them.

Mac-specific discs will not work.

Jacumba Author

Level 4

2,349 points

Oct 14, 2012 5:48 PM in response to MichelPM

MichelPM, first thing is sorry for 2nd guessing you. Looking at the motherboard it looked so much like a windows one I assumed it was both AGP and PCI slots. Also it is a G3, it is written on the case with big letters just behind the blue apple symbol. This has to be one of the best looking computer towers ever put out.

I don't know what exact version of Mac OS. The computer starts then you get to a login page and it just says OS X. I'm going to pick up a Apple keyboard this week. A microsoft mouse works but a microsoft keyboard does not. Plus they don't have the command and option keys.So I'm gonna need the apple keyboard to reset the login to get further.

I guess I don't have the retail version of OS 9. What I have is the original package CD's that came with the iMac DV. They are gray OS 9.0.4 and it has a Apple hardware test CD. So I'm not going to get anywhere right now till I pickup a keyboard.

I haven't seen a Mac in 12 years and getting bored with windows. So look forward to getting this G3 going and get back familiar with the Mac OS, then pick up a newer one. Thanks so much for your time and help.

Jacumba Author

Level 4

2,349 points

Oct 16, 2012 4:30 PM in response to MichelPM

I've picked up a keyboard for this G3. But having difficulity on resetting password to enter the computer on first attempt. This is what I'll try this time.

While starting up hold down Command-S

Enter sh /etc/rc and press return

Then enter passwd yourusername and press return. I don't have a username so assume I write passwd yourusername?

Now you have to enter a new password twice, what you type won't appear on the screen, but it is working. Once you have done this reboot and hit return.

I got this info online so not sure if it's going to work. Or if there's an easier way.

Also the keyboard I picked up does not have a Command key. It has a Option and Apple Key. Are one of these considered a command key? Thanks for any help you may have.

MichelPM

Level 10

80,980 points

Oct 16, 2012 7:57 PM in response to Jacumba

The Apple key is the Command key.

Jacumba Author

Level 4

2,349 points

Oct 16, 2012 8:28 PM in response to MichelPM

Thanks MichelPM

Power Macintosh G3