Q: Dead pismo now working...... now what?

I have Tiger running on my Pismo 400MHz with 384MB RAM.

You need to check if your Mac requires a firmware (Boot ROM version) update. Mac OS X: Available firmware updates
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86117 If an update is required, the update must be installed (using OS 9) BEFORE you install OS X.

You need to update your OS to 9,2,2 using Apple's free updates. You need more RAM to run OS X - 256MB min, but 512MB would be better. You cannot use the system install CD form another model Mac. You need a universal/retail install.

 Cheers, Tom

Frances,

Well, glad the Pismo is up and running.

Regarding the PC card slot door: It is just that...a door to keep out dust, so no, it will not affect other upgrades.

Regarding running/installing 10.x:

- If you wish to run both 9.x and 10.x, I would, as Tom suggests, update to 9.2.2; this is the most compatible version with OSX although you can run the minimum of OS 9.1 and still be able to run "Classic" while booted to 10.x. If 9.x will never be used, then you might as well erase it and give yourself more room on the HD.

- I would also update the firmware while 9.x is still on the HD and you will have to update to 9.1 or later to run the firmware installer. Follow the instructions to the letter.

- For now, your 10GB HD is more than adequate for OSX. If you ever want to start accumulating quantities of music, photos, etc, you would want to replace the HD or connect a FireWire HD to store such items.

- Some machine-specific OSX disks like your iBook disks will boot/install OSX. Your iBook 'Restore' disks will not work, but you can try booting the 'Install' disk #1; if it does not work, there is another way to install OSX on the Pismo.

1. Restart your iBook to the Install Disk #1.

2. After updating the Pismo's firmware while it is booted to OS 9.1 or later, use FireWire Target Disk Mode:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58583

(Your Pismo is the target and your iBook is the host.)

3. Select the Pismo's HD as the destination and install OSX. If you don't want 9.x, use OSX's Disk Utility to erase the Pismo's HD. After the install, allow the restart to the Pismo's HD so OSX can finish up. Then select your iBook as the startup volume in System Preferences > Startup Disk and restart to the iBook.

4. Now properly unmount the Pismo's HD from the iBook (drag the HD icon to the trash), disconnect the Pismo, and restart the Pismo normally.

This is just a brief description; if you wish to use 9.x on the Pismo, please post back

- If you can disconnect the PRAM battery, you can install memory in the top slot...no problem. Your Pismo has a 64MB module in the lower slot and the same in the top. You must remove the microprocessor card to access the lower slot but this is not necessary. I would buy a 512MB module for the top slot; you would then have a total of 576MB of RAM (64 bottom + 512 top). You can of course install a 256MB in the top but I would spend the extra dollars for a 512; 256MB is the minimum for Tiger. Your Pismo can run a max of 1GB (2 x 512).

This is a good company that offers value and good product; if you shop for price, be aware that the cheapest memory is not necessarily the best.
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/iBooks-PowerBooks/G3-Pismo/

- Installing memory:

1. Again, remove all power, lift off the keyboard, then remove the aluminum heat shield. This picture shows the heat shield on and off:
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/PowerBook-G3-Pismo/Heat-Shield-Page-2-Heat-Shiel d

2. Follow the instructions here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=50028

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask...

You can use OS 9.0 for now, but you may need is the Startup Disk Control Panel that knows that Mac OS X exists. It is included in Mac OS 9.2.2 and is also available for separate download.

106225- Mac OS X, Mac OS 9: Use Current Startup Disk Control Panel or Mac OS 9.2.2

If any of your Macs have access to the Internet, you can create a small Ethernet network and move files around where needed. It's really handy.

Frances,

You cannot update the firmware unless running OS 9.1 > 9.2.2. As Grant suggested, you could try a local network between the two computers. Simpler is to download the 9.x Updates to the iMac, then use FireWire Target Disk Mode to move the Updates from the iMac to the Pismo. Disconnect properly, restart the Pismo to its HD, then run the updates.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75288

Frances,

Just a quick follow-up...

Since you only have 128MB of memory, and Tiger requires a minimum of 256MB, your Pismo may not start up to Tiger...I just don't know. Apple sets minimum requirements for memory but that does not necessarily mean the computer will not run with less than the requirement; if it does boot, it naturally will run slower. All you can do is boot to Tiger and see what happens; don't be surprised if it seems sluggish.

I got a cheap set of gray eMac disks, thinking to install Tiger to experiment and do it on the cheap.

They contained a check for the computer type, and refused to install. Even with hacks, I could not get anything to install from them. If you are talking about Tiger disks, I think its no longer a "maybe yes, maybe no, maybe they will leave some things out" proposition.

They will only install on what they were intended for.

Frances,

Are you using a 6-pin FireWire cable?

Do you have 'Hard Disks' checked in 'Show these items on the Desktop' in Finder Preferences? If not, the Pismo's HD will not appear on the iBook's desktop.

You can also see connected HDs if you open a Finder window.

If you follow the correct startup procedure, the HD should appear on the iBook's desktop or in the Finder window. If still having problems...

- Shut down both the Pismo and iBook.

- Reset the PRAM on the iBook:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238

- After the iBook has started up, power up the Pismo in FireWire Target Disk Mode and see if the iBook sees the HD.

- If no success, shut both computers down, then reset the power manager on the iBook:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=14449

- Now try the connection again.

If no success, disconnect all cables, then boot your Pismo to its MacOS 9 CD > open the Utilities folder on the CD > launch First Aid and check your HD.

If you can get the Pismo's HD on the iBook's desktop, load your iBook DVD and restart to it (no need to disconnect the FireWire connection), then install OSX on the Pismo's HD.