Suitable USB Card for PowerMac G3

In my opinion, you would be making multiple big mistakes.

Belkin cards have been among the most troublesome. Users report they are hard to install and get working correctly, and sometimes they never get working.

USB 2 cards in general tend to have two separate USB busses, and the G3 under Mac OS 9 and earlier cannot cope well with that. USB 1.1 is much better behaved, unless/until you get into Mac OS X.

Networking via a third-party USB or FireWire card is not nearly as well supported as Ethernet. You would have to make a really strong argument to convince most users to dump Apple's robust Ethernet support for Brand X anything. For Mac-to-Mac file sharing and Broadband Internet access, Ethernet is definitely the way to go. Airport and other Wi-Fi access is probably the second choice. All others are not even in the running.

Exactly which version of the beige G3 ROM firmware seems to make a difference in supporting Multi-function cards.

Hello Mark from Inverness ... and Welcome!

Like Grant, I doubt you would find happiness in that direction. USB 2.0 generally does not work with OS 9 on a beige G3. Try OSX on a G4 for better results with USB 2.0

I have had excellent results from Orange Micro USB 1.1 / firewire cards: at least six with nary a problem. I've also used several Macally cards - and Keyspan, Belkin, and generic Brand X - without problem. eBay is a great source.

The most important part of installation is remembering that you have to re-install the Operating System to get the Mac OS installer to "see" the USB card physically installed in place, and to "see" the need to install the proper USB drivers and support extensions. Easiest is to perform a clean re-install from an orange-9-on-a-white-label retail, full-install CD, which will leave you with a brand new System Folder complete with the proper USB drivers and support extensions and a "previous system folder", from which you will have to drag over all your favourite applications and documents, &c., &c. to the new folder. A custom install of extensions, and an install using "Tome Viewer' utility, are also possible, but they still require the same white label Mac OS 9 install CD - a grey label model specific install CD cannot be depended upon to install the correct extensions.

(If you don't happen to have such an install CD, you can get one - either 9.2.1 or 9.1 - for about $50 from applerescue.com or other fine Apple reseller. eBay is not a real good source because you have to wade through a long list of grey labels, copies, exact copies, burned copies, and "sure to work" copies (that don't), wait to win the auction, and then discover that you paid more than applerescue wanted in the first place. (eBay is great for other stuff, but not install CDs)

The hardest part of the installation is to figure out how to open your case, remove the PCI slot cover with a screwdriver, and press the Peripheral Component Interface card (your USB/firewire card) into its waiting slot (firmly), and close the case.

You may now perform the clean re-install, your Mac OS 9 installer CD will automatically "see" the need for USB drivers and install them as part of the process, and you're in business.

Similarly, use your ethernet port for broadband, and leave USB alone - it's too slow. Your ISP provider should be able to walk you through the installation. The only thing you may want to figure out ahead of time is how to set AppleTalk to the printer port so that the ethernet port will be available to the TCP/IP protocol. (I think I have all that straight!)

If you have any trouble, call Grant.

Regards ..... Jon

Inverness,

Unlike Jon, I did not have to completely reinstall the operating system to get the computer the recognize the USB card under OS9. You can do a custom update with the card installed by booting from your OS9 install CD, selecting "custom install," and selecting just the networking section. Any required USB extensions you do not not have already will be installed, simply updating your system.

Yes, it's possible that you may ultimately have to do a full reload of the OS, but try the easier way first.

I have a MacAlly USB 1.1/2.0 card model UH2-222 that worked perfectly from day one under both OS9 and OSX. The CD that came with it had the correct OS9 extensions. That card is now discontinued but you may be able to find one still in stock someplace by searching for the model number in Google.

Oh yes, remember to press the CUDA reset button on the logic board for 20-30 seconds after installing the new card. The will force the computer to take a new poll of the installed hardware and thus "see" the card.

Like Grant said, stay away from Belkin cards; many of their USB-only cards have played poorly with the Beige G3.

I bought a generic mac and pc compatible usb card for £2.99 off ebay, stuck it in the computer, plug my printer and camera and stuff in and they all worked first go under macos 9 (the printer needed drivers).

The only software I had to install was the software for the printer. I made sure I already had the USB extensions installed.

Inverness,

I am the last of an endless chain, but with one more suggestion.
Sonnet had a very interesting USB 1.1/firewire card (I still have it installed in one of my Beiges), which works a Marvel, if you can still find one.

As far as USB is concerned, I got on eBay and purchased several cheap USB 2.0 PC cards, and never had a problem with them.

I had a problem with USB 2.0 with a RevA processor, it would only work with 1.1/. I used an Iomega from OWC, worked great.

Tome Viewer can also be used to extract the proper USB extension versions from an install CD or a download.

I bought a generic USB 1.1 card on the internet in December 2001. Used the Apple USB software package initially and updated the installed items using TomeViewer and a "gray" install disc. With a search of this forum you can find several recent threads that will define the exact software elements you need in OS 9 for USB.

Never had a problem until this year when I upgraded from a 466 MHz G3 to a 1 GHz G3 processor. With the faster processor, my Mac would hard freeze anytime I tried to print on my USB 1.1 Epson inkjet printer. Slowing the processor to 667 MHz or less for inkjet printing eliminated the problem.

As I posted in another thread a few months ago, I upgraded to an ADS Tech USB 2.0/Firewire card so I could have USB 2 in OS X. So far the card has performed flawlessly in OS 10.3.9 and 9.2.2.

The bottom line, there are some bad USB cards out there. Bad for Macs anyway. But, most are useable. USB 1 cards are so cheap now that it isn't much of a financial risk to just buy one and try it. USB software for OS 9 doesn't require a whole new clean install of OS 9. Search this forum and the OS 9 forum for details on what should get installed. I think that USB 2 cards are a lot trickier in a Beige. That's why I opted to pay more for an ADS Tech card. A lot of on-line reviews of other USB 2 cards indicated that many didn't work in Macs or PCs.

Hi Carl,

Surprisingly, generic USB cards have been among the better-performing cards in the Beige. Even the G-cards with the dreaded OPTI chipset seem to work OK. I don't know why the Belkin cards have been so troublesome with the same chipset. At one time, the Belkin site showed both a cross-platform USB 1.1 card and a Mac-specific card. I suspect it's the cross-platform versions that were acting up.

A

Allan,
The point I was trying to make is that for USB 1 cards, many generic cards will work and they are so cheap now that the financial risk is minimal. The one I bought 5 years ago was only $15 plus shipping at the time and it worked flawlessly until I overwhelmed it w/ processor speed.

With the USB 2/firewire cards, I was amazed at the number of bad on-line reviews (by PC and Mac users) for various cards, some of which were advertised as for PC or Mac. I went with the one that OWC recommends for the Beige, as they usually have checked out what works and what doesn't. At typically $40 and more for these cards, I become risk adverse and want more assurance the darn thing will work w/o problems.

Whoa. Re-installing the OS it completely unnecessary to get USB support into a beige with OS8.6 or up when you didn't have a USB when you went thorugh the original OS install.

Go get the software first and run the installer. Reboot, then shut down and install the card.

Go to the downloads page:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=31132 - This is for USB Adapter Card Support 1.4.1

You need a minimum of OS 8.6 and NO built-in USB on the hardware, or these won't work.. (Be aware that not every card will work, some like the Belkins for whatever reason are kind of flaky.)

What gets installed are all extensions:

• USB Support
• USB Device Extension
• USB Software Locator (requires Mac OS 9)
• HID Library
• Serial ShimLib
• USB Mass Storage Support
• USB Mass Storage Extension

...and it will put them in your Extensions folder and they will activate when you re-boot the system.

I've gone and found cheapo USB 1.1 cards (minimum OHCI compliant) and put them in ancient beige-boxes - not necessarily G3's - but capable of running *at least* OS 8.6 and have not had a problem once. Mind you, you won't get the high-speed throughput even if you have a USB2 card, since the drivers are only USB1.1, but if you upgrade to OS X, the speed the USB2 card can handle will improve dramatically.

Deb.

Anyone have any experience with an Adaptec 3 Port USB 2.0 / 2 Port Firewire PCI Combo Adapter? I just ordered one for my beige G3/500 (Newer upgrade)w/640mb ram as they had a $35 rebate on it, so the price was right. (That is if it works!) I'm in the process of installing OSX on this computer.

Craig

I read with interest about this topic since I am considering to upgrade a Power Macintosh G3 with a USB 2.0 & Firewire card.

On a more personal note this is my first hardware experience with Apple since my days on the Macintosh LC back in 1991. Since 1996 I used exclusively PC workstations for professional work.

I recently used again my vintage Macintosh LC and rediscovered the pleasure of computing. Or maybe it is a sentimental feeling because I begun computing with Apple IIe in 1983?

Anyway, I need a Firewire card to upgrade a Power Macintosh G3/300 Rev.D. From what I read on the forum it may seem preferable to update the OS with Mac OSX. Is it necessary? And what hardware is Mac compatible? My experience (quite extensive, I may say) is limited to PC workstations, and I have no real idea about the G3 upgrade options.

Thank you for your kind help and support

Frederic.

Power Macintosh G3 Mac OS 9.2.x 2x PC Workstations

deb-

Good advice for Mac OS 8, but according to this User Tip:

USB PCI card under Mac OS 9.1 and later

"USB Adapter Card Support 1.4.1 is not intended for use with Mac OS 9.1 or higher, as these systems require newer versions of the USB extensions than those included in USB Adapter Card Support 1.4.1."

Welome to the Apple Discussions, FredericErk!

Pleased to have you here. 🙂

In answer to your question, OSX definitely is what you want to be playing with if you are planning on using your Mac to go online with. There really are no browsers still in support for OS9 other than iCab and many sites with Java will run poorly. It's more frustration than it's worth. Now if you are going to use your machine for burning vinyl LP's or graphics or non-internet stuff, sticking with the classic OS will suit you fine. There is more software available for OS 9 than you'd think It all depends on what you want to do.

OS 9 does have FireWire and USB support, though the latter is only 1.1. so it's slow. Apple downloads has driver support installation programs for both, so you do not have to go through full system re-installs to get the cards in and running. To get the high-speed USB you'll want to go to OSX however, and it will run well enough. I'm not sure of the FireWire sppeds since I don't have it.

The best version of OSX to install on a beige G3 is Panther, and you will need to use a program called XPostFacto 3.1 ( http://eshop.macsales.com) to make the installer load the OS on to that hardware. If your G3 is mostly original hardware, it will be very easy, and then you can add whatever upgrades as you see fit. To install the Panther you'd want to take the FireWire/USB card out first, then install the drivers and card afterwards. If it is the right kind of card, you may not even need to add drivers, the OS itself has an astonishing array of support included. My Adaptec2906 SCSI card doesn't need drivers, they're in already!

As to how well OSX runs on a beige, right now, I'm in the middle of an upgrade failure, and my CPU card is being replaced, so I am running on the original G3/300 CPU and I'm having no problem at all - I installed the OS with it. The computer's a bit slow, compared to what the upgrade was, but this isn't permanent and it's not intolerable. You can check e-bay for sales on G4 ZIF upgrades, if you want a bit more speed.

Deb.