Upgrading an OLD iMac G3 450 MHz

(1) Yes. You will need at least 256MB to run Mac OS X. 512MB would be better. You can get a 256MB module or a 512MB module to add to what's in there now (assuming one of its two slots is empty). A 450 MHz G3 iMac with enough memory will run either Panther or Tiger (current latest version) well enough for basic tasks such as web and email.

(2) You can compare RAM prices at ramseeker.com. I personally like to buy my memory from OWC (macsales.com).

(3) If the hard drive is getting full, you may want to off-load some files to make room for Mac OS X. In addition to the space required for the files, Mac OS X needs some free space to operate it's virtual memory efficiently. When you install it, go into the "customize installation" area of the installer. There, you should de-select all the components that you do not need, such as foreign languages, printer packages, and applications that will not be used. That will save a lot of space on the installation.

3. You need to update the computer to Mac OS 9.1 and run this firmware updater before inserting the Mac OS X installation disks. If you install Mac OS X without running the firmware update, you will experience issues with the machine.

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If you look in the System Profiler, it will tell you the hard disk size and the amount of RAM you have. You may also want to consider whether or not she needs Classic mode to run any applications. If she does, then OS 9 will need to stay on the machine, so it would be helpful to have a large hard disk.
But like the person said, make sure you have that firmware update first before you install OS X. I have installed Panther on several of these and they run great, so you should be good as long as that firmware update is on and you have enough RAM. Frankly, it would run with 128 MB of RAM, but 256 is better.

Hi. I"ve been vicariously benefitting from your discussion. I've just upgraded my OLD iMac to tiger on 192 MB of RAM (which I had installed back when I first set it up), having upgraded to OS 9.1 and updated my firmware. Now I realise I could really do with more RAM in order to run other (new) software. I've got a 64 MB SDRAM (PC100 - 2225) card in one slot (original) and a 128 MB SDRAM (PC100-3225) card in the other - how would you advise me to proceed? All advice gratefully received.

Hi!. I am in the same boat as you, with a Blue slot-load 500 MHz DV+ iMac for my daughter, that I have rescued from a local school system dumpster (!!!!) I have done some research, which I am happy to share with you. There is an Apple Knowledge Base article #58007, which lists memory specs and upgrade limits for each iMac model. For the DV+, we can install a 512 MB DIMM in each of the two RAM slots, which are easily accessible via the door at the bottom of the iMac. Adding RAM is the most effective way we can extend the usefulness of our older iMacs.

Take a quick look at what you need and where it will go. You can do this much right away, just so you can become familiar visually with what you are going to buy, and where it will go. Turn your iMac upside down on a towel, open the door with a coin or screwdriver and the memory is right there, plugged into two sockets called banks. Do not touch anything without proper anti-static protection. Apple gives instruction here too in article #43012.

There is a lot of PC100 memory available on the internet, especially through eBay, and the semi-permanent eBay Stores. I like to be sure about the quality of my memory chips, however, and the memory for this model is not particularly expensive at all, so I chose to buy new modules from Kingston (www.kingston.com), pretty much IMHO the gold standard in the memory biz. They sell a 512 MB module for $109.00 (Kingston part # KTA-IMAC100/512). I bought one of these modules first, to be sure I had a reliable 512 MB of RAM (+ the RAM already installed in the other bank). Right away I could run anything in Panther, including the new iTunes Store with its video clips.

Later, you can shop for other brands of memory, new or used, for a lot less $ to install in the other bank (replacing the other 64 or128 MB), and then with 1 GB RAM you can really go to town with iMovie editing and Photoshop, etc. Remember to get only PC100 168-pin DIMMs that are specifically meant for Apple Macs.

I still haven't found out whether there is a way to increase the video resolution, which is due to a paltry 8 MB of VRAM. Web pages often have to be scrolled to be fully viewed. I will post that as a separate topic this morning, if you want to watch for answers on that, too! Good luck!

FYI,

if the imac only has a CD drive then you won't be able to install 10.4 since it's a DVD installer. you could use your mac to install it by using firewire target mode but only if the imac has firewire ports.

I still haven't found out whether there is a way to increase the video resolution...

No there is not.

Web pages often have to be scrolled to be fully viewed.

That's more of function of the CRT iMac's 15-inch display, with an upper resolution limit of 1024x768. Even if you could upgrade the video hardware, it would not increase the 1024x768 resolution on the 15-inch CRT.

On the other hand, a Pismo PowerBook G3 has essentially the same 8MB VRAM video hardware as the slot-loader iMacs, and it can display on an external display at up to 1600x1200.

My tray-loader CRT iMac has inferior 6MB VRAM video hardware. After it blew the analog video board that drives the CRT, I connected the video hardware output to an external display, and even it can go up to 1600x1200 if the external display supports it.

I guess what I'm getting to is that for a 500 MHz G3 Mac with 1024x768 resolution limit, the built-in graphics hardware is "good enough."

Hi,
My kids use a 233Mhz PCG3 160mb, and I just bought a new HD for my G5, I just want to check if I could use the old one mounted on a case with the G3, it already run on OS X.
thanx

iMAC G5. TIGER. 1.8GHZ. 1GB DDR Mac OS X (10.4.7) Ext HD Lacie FW250GB.

If by "G5" you mean an iMac G5, the internal drive is a Serial ATA (sometimes called "SATA") drive.

The 233 iMac has a slow USB 1.1 port. It would be a waste putting a super fast serial ATA drive on that port, but it is possible. I've seen external drive cases that hold serial ATA drives and have the USB interface. You may want to find one that has both USB and Firewire interfaces, so that you can connect it to the G5 iMac's Firewire port too. If would make a good backup drive for both iMacs. So look online for a product that:

* is for 3.5-inch Serial ATA (SATA) drives.
* has USB 2.0/1.1 interface and Firewire interface.
* is a kit (emply case).

dealmac.com is a good place to visit for good deal in things like external cases.

Yes Kenichi,
I mean iMac G5 since it's on my profile.
I was aware on the SATA, what was worried me it's to buy the case for nothing! I knew the speed will be a problem, but the issue was the compatibility between the G5 HD and the old imac G3, and since it doesn't have a firewire socket I am stuck with an USB interface.
It such a shame to just put an HD in the bin!

iMAC G5. TIGER. 1.8GHZ. 1GB DDR Mac OS X (10.4.7) Ext HD Lacie FW250GB.