MaxxBoxx 730/200

MaxxBoxx computer

MaxxBoxx 730/200

Overview

The MaxxBoxx 730/200 was based on the Tanzania II motherboard (also used in the Power Mac 6500) and used a 200 MHz Power PC 604e CPU. It was only sold in Germany.

Tanzania-based computers will not boot with a dead PRAM battery. Try replacing the battery before attempting to replace the power supply on a "dead" MaxxBoxx.

WARNING: This model does not support System 7.5.5. The only upgrade from 7.5.3 is directly to 7.6 or later. Never use the 7.5.5 updater.

Details

introduced 1997.10.01, discontinued 1997.12.01
requires System 7.5.3 through 9.1
CPU: 200 MHz PPC 604e
bus: 50 MHz
RAM: 32 MB standard, expandable to 160 MB using 3-volt 60ns or faster EDO DIMMs (older 5-volt DIMMs are not compatible). RAM slot 3 addresses only a single bank of memory (32 MB max), unlike dual-bank slots 1 and 2 (which accept 64 MB modules). While you can use any DIMM up to 64 MB in slots 1 and 2, you should only use a single-bank DIMM in slot 3. This limits slot 3 to 32 MB.
VRAM: 2 MB
Video: 15-pin SVGA port; supports millions of colors up to 832 x 624, thousands up to 1152 x 870
L2 cache: 512 KB
hard drive: 2.1 GB EIDE
CD-ROM: 12x ATAPI drive
ADB: 1 port for keyboard and mouse
PS/2 keyboard port
PS/2 mouse port
two miniDIN-8 GeoPorts on back of computer
SCSI: DB-25 connector on back of computer
ethernet: 10Base-T
PCI slots: 3
battery: 4.5V alkaline

Accelerators & Upgrades

unknown

Online Resources

Low End Mac's Compleat Guide to Mac OS 9, 2008 edition, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.05.12. Declared dead by Steve Jobs 6 years ago, Mac OS 9 remains fast and stable, but Classic software hasn't kept up with Web changes. What Macs support OS 9, where to buy it, and how to update to version 9.2.2.
Mac System 7.5.5 can do anything Mac OS 7.6.1 can, Tyler Sable, Classic Restorations, 2007.06.04. Yes, it is possible to run Internet Explorer 5.1.7 and SoundJam with System 7.5.5. You just need to have all the updates - and make one modification for SoundJam.
Format any drive for older Macs with patched Apple tools, Tyler Sable, Classic Restorations, 2007.04.25. Apple HD SC Setup and Drive Setup only work with Apple branded hard drives - until you apply the patches linked to this article.
SATA and PCI Power Macs: No OS X joy, but you can boot OS 9, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.11.17. Weeks of experimention find that while you can't seem to boot a pre-G3 Power Mac into OS X from a SATA hard drive, you can at least boot OS 9 from it.
Musings on low-end SATA cards in PCI Power Macs, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.11.06. Thoughts on why the inexpensive SATA card might almost work in a pre-G3 PCI Power Mac.
Old Power Macs and SATA not a marriage made in heaven, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.11.03. The PCI SATA card said blue & white G3 or newer and Mac OS 8.6 or later, but maybe it would work in an older pre-G3 Power Mac....
System 7 Today, advocates of Apple's 'orphan' Mac OS 7.6.1, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 2006.10.26. Why Mac OS 7.6.1 is far better for 68040 and PowerPC Macs than System 7.5.x.
MaxxBoxx: The biggest, most colorful, least known Mac clones, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 2006.09.12. Designed to accommodate several different Apple motherboards, the MaxxBoxx clones had room for up to 10 internal drives, garnering a dedicate following among German power users.
Mac OS 8 and 8.1: Maximum size, maximum convenience, Tyler Sable, Classic Restorations, 2006.09.11. Mac OS 8 and 8.1 add some useful new features and tools, and it can even be practical on 68030-based Macs.
Customizing Mac OS 9, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.08.01. Fiddling with themes, picking a browser, and making the Classic Mac OS work just the way you want it to.
The ins and outs of booting Linux on the Mac, Larry Stotler, Linux on the Low End, 2006.07.31. "Old World" Macs can't boot directly into Linux. They need to boot the Classic Mac OS first, then pass control over to Linux.
Preparing your PCI Power Mac for Linux, Larry Stotler, Linux on the Low End, 2006.07.26. How powerful a CPU do you need? How much memory? Do you need a faster drive controller? Are some video cards better than others?
Getting the Mac digital jukebox up and running, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.05.08. Connecting your PowerPC Mac to your rstereo and remote control options for running a headless digital audio jukebox.
System 7.6.1 is perfect for many older Macs, John Martorana, That Old Mac Magic, 2006.03.24. Want the best speed from your old Mac? System 7.6.1 can give you that with a fairly small memory footprint - also helpful on older Macs.
Web browser tips for the classic Mac OS, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.01.03. Tips on getting the most out of WaMCom, Mozilla, Internet Explorer, iCab, Opera, and WannaBe using the classic Mac OS.
The best browsers for PowerPC Macs and the classic Mac OS, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2005.12.16. Two browsers stand out from the pack: iCab 3 is modern and remains under development, and WaMCom brings Mozilla to older Macs.
How big a hard drive can I put in my iMac, eMac, or Power Mac?, Dan Knight, Mac Daniel, 2005.10.24. A lot of older Macs don't know how to deal with drives over 128 GB in size. We look at three options.
Sonata SD, Sonnet Tech, 2004.06.01. First new PCI video card for the Mac in ages sells for just US$99, supports OS 7.5.3 and later plus OS X 10.1.5 and later, works with VGA or old Mac monitors, 16 MB VRAM.
Guide to G3 Accelerators for Level 2 Cache Slot
Guide to G4 Accelerators for Level 2 Cache Slot
Apple has released patch for OS 8.1 only on Power Mac 4400, 7220, MaxxBoxx, and Umax Aegis (an Asia-only model). It fixes problems with the HFS+ driver (which loads even when HFS+ volumes are not present) and the ATA Manager, which may result in your mouse click not registering or problems switching from a PC card. Read me and download.

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