Are there ADB/USB adapters out there?

You need an ADB keyboard for the power key to turn on the computer. Used one are available on eBay, the model that shipped with the G3 was the Apple M2980 it has the numeric keypad and inverted T arrow keys and function keys along the top. You can also still get new third-party ADB keyboards from some vendors like Other World Computing.

Once you get the computer powered up, you can use an additional USB keyboard on a PCI USB card. But I think the USB keyboard can not power up the G3 computer with any kind of adapter or expansion card.

You can join join LEM-Swap for buying & selling Mac stuff. http://groups.google.com/group/lemswap
After you join, post a WTB (want to buy) for an ADB kbd & mouse & you'll probably get multiple offers. They'll be cheap $.

 Cheers, Tom

David,

A USB keyboard, in addition to lacking the start-up capability of the ADB boards that the other posters mentioned, does not allow use of some of the start-up keyboard shortcuts that are handy for maintenance and troubleshooting. Many people who routinely use a USB board on a Beige G3 keep the original ABD plugged in and tucked out of the way for emergencies.

In shopping for an ADB board, keep an eye out for the Apple M3501 Extended Keyboard II, nicknamed "Nimitz" after the aircraft carrier (yes, it's a big boy). Best KB ever built for any computer use. No membranes--every key is a discreet switch. Our first one, bought in 1990, finally had one key cut out intermittently LAST YEAR. The fifteen years of continuous use included three kids learning computers plus their gaming with it. It took a bruisin' and kept on cruisin'.

I love my M3501 boards so much that I bought a Griffin iMate adaptor so I could keep using the old board when I got a G4 at work.

When you shop for a PCI USB adaptor card, go for one that has an NEC chipset. You're better off buying in person so you can look at the big chip on the card to verify it's an NEC. Some cards, including Belkin, that use the OPTI chipset have been very troublesome in Beige G3s. Macally and Keyspan cards have been good performers in our computers.

Hello David,

Welcome back to the future!

The M3501 is a god keyboard with a firm feel, and if it quits working, you can always use it as a hammer to pound nails. The M2980 - if you can find a newer one without the Pepsi and Nacho crumbs - has a slightly lighter feel. Also, I just ran across an old Macally - my first; it's ugly as sin, but it works well and has a nice feel to it, too.

The best - by far - mouse I have found is a brand new Macally - still available, and usually for cheap.

I use eBay as a source for almost all my old Mac parts, and as long as I keep my eyes open and remember it's a flea market it seems to treat me well. Besides, there are literally thousands of old Mac pieces to be found.

If you perform a clean install/reinstall (sometimes called an "archive-and-install") with the USB card firmly seated in its slot, I think you'll find you can install any made-for-Mac USB card you can find. The trouble one usually has is that the Mac OS does not install drivers unless it "sees" the need; if the USB card isn't there, the installer doesn't sees the need and doesn't install. Further, downloading the drivers doesn't dislodge the AppleTalk protocol which tends to control unused ports - and that leaves you talking to yourself and saying uncomplimentary things about Steve Jobs. You can install the drivers by doing a custom install, or by using the Tome Viewer utility, but - all things considered - it's easier just to do a fresh install.

My own preference runs to the Orange Micro USB/Firewire card, but I've used at least a half dozen different USB cards and they all work.

FWIW, I use a Macally mouse and M2980 keyboard - even on my everyday Digital Audio, which requires the Griffin adapter. I think it's the soft touch that gets me.

You don't say what your project requires, but I can't help thinking I'd be looking at a 450 or 500mhz processor to make the day go a little faster, maybe even overclocking one step if you're not doing anything processor intensive. Those old ZIF CPUs are downright cheap on eBay these days.

Not so cheap is the combination of ATA-133 controller card and ATA-133 HD, but it really makes the old beige G3s bounce along.

It's enough to make an old Mac addict nostalgic!

Regards ..... Jon

P.S.

Forgot to mention that to do a proper clean install you will need a retail, full install, Orange/Gold-Nine-on-a-White-Background OS install CD. A grey or blue model-specific install CD won't do - I suppose because it's installer is looking for a built-in USB port instead of the PCI card. An OS 9.2.1 CD will give you 1.5.5 USB drivers and support extensions; an OS 9.1 will give you 1.4.6 - either should work, although the later ones will presumably give you a smoother interface with OSX should you need it.

Sorry! It's been so long that I forgot to mention this important detail.

Jon

733 DA (scsi/atto160)(OSX)(GeForce 3) et alia Mac OS X (10.3.9)