Apple PCI Radeons for $35, iBook G4 Questions, iBook G3 Heat, PB G3 Upgrades, and More

• TerraSoft Selling PCI Radeons for $35
• iBook G4 Questions
• 'Book of Fire
• OS 9 on Newer Macs
• G3/900 Upgrade
• Re: Installing a New Hard Drive
• Re: OS 9 Distributed Computing after SETI@home

TerraSoft Selling PCI Radeons for $35

From Lyall Moffitt

Hi Charles,

Thought you may be interested in posting this [Xserve drives, video cards, gig-e cards, and CD-ROMs for sale: 2004 05/13] on LEM:

Yellow Dog Linux Enthusiasts,

Terra Soft is pleased to offer, for a limited time only, the following items:

• 60GB Apple Xserve Drivebay Module: Apple drivebay modules from new (never been used) Apple G4 Xserves. use to expand Xserves or RAID boxes. Supported by Mac OS X and Linux - $100 ea
• Quanta Storage internal CD-ROM Drive PN: TCR-241: Internal laptop CD-ROM drives from new (never been used) Apple G4 Xserves. Use to refurbish systems. Supported by Mac OS X and Linux - $35 ea
• Broadcom BCM5703CHKB Gig-E Cards 10/100/1000: PCI Gigabit ethernet cards from new (never been used) Apple G4 Xserves. Perfect for improving inter-computer communication on any PCI computer-x86 or PowerPC. Supported by Mac OS X and Linux - $50 ea
• Radeon ATI Graphics Cards: PCI graphics (video) cards from new (never been used) Apple G4 Xserves. An inexpensive means of adding or replacing an entry-level video card in a server or desktop PCI Mac. Supported by Mac OS X and Linux - $35 ea

These prices are given for units purchased in quantities of 1 to 10. Shipping not included. Volume pricing may be available, depending upon quantities desired and remaining inventory.

Call 970-278-9243 or send email to awolf@terrasoftsolutions.com to place your order

-Amanda.

Thanks,
Lyall.

Thanks for the heads-up and link, Lyall.

Charles

iBook G4 Questions

From Sandy Mitchell

Hi Charles,

I have a couple of questions I hope you won't mind helping me with. I was very fortunate recently to receive a brand-new G4 iBook from Apple, after my 1st generation 500 MHz "iceBook" had needed it's logic board replaced three times.

The first question is fairly simple (I hope!). I loved my little G3 iBook, which was a pleasure to use, but which had some signs of wear that I hope to prevent on my G4. I seem to recall reading on your website about some products that were designed to protect the 'wrist-rest' areas of the 'deck' of the iBook, as well as some for protecting the surface areas of the trackpad/clicker areas.

As I recall, they were pads that would stick in place and avoid wear on the surface finish. I've searched widely for these items and can only come up with a pad for the trackpad area. Can you point me to anyone who can supply the other pads?

I think I'm also going to get one of the film-type keyboard covers that are designed to cover the keyboard while you're using it - do you have any experience with them?

I think I'll put off asking you about my other question, which has to do with problems I'm encountering with my Entourage email program, as you may not even be familiar with Entourage... but if you are, and are willing to consider it, let me know.

Thanks,
Sandy Mitchell

Hi Sandy,

The bad news is that Mac Skinz has suspended production of their iBook and PowerBook protector products.

The good news is that they will be reintroducing these items soon.

You might also check out Radtech's PowerSleevz, which are a formfitting, sleeve case that insulates your PowerBook G4 or Dual-USB iBook from life's little hazards.

I'm afraid that the only advice I can offer about Entourage is if you don't have a compelling reason to use it, why not switch to a better email client.

You can check out what's available for the Mac in Moore's Guide To Mac Email Clients And Free POP3 Email Services - 2004 Edition.

Charles

Re: G4 iBook Questions

From Sandy

Charles;

Many thanks for responding to my questions. I was delighted to hear about the Mac Skinz products and got on their email list to be informed when they resume selling them. But I was actually asking about something different - two things, actually - one is called iSkin and goes directly over the keyboard keys to protect from spills, etc.

The Skinz are obviously designed to protect the outside of the iBook, which is a great idea, and I'll get them when available. But I was trying to find products to protect the finish on the inside surfaces; the trackpad/clicker areas and those to the left and right where my wrists rest while I'm typing. Those areas had gotten worn smooth on my old G3, and I'd like to prevent that on my G4.

Sandy

Hi Sandy,

iSkin keyboard protectors are also available at the Think Different Store.

I finally found the palm rest pads in a 2001 edition of The 'Book Review. They were sold by MacImports for $11.99 . However, the "Buy Now" link doesn't work, and they are no longer mentioned on the MacImports main page, so it looks like they've been discontinued.

You could check with MacImports about availability or an alternate source.

Charles

'Book of Fire

From William Reese

I've had the same problem with the Apple iBook G3/800. It happened to me twice. The first time it occurred, I contacted Apple Care, and the technician told me that under no circumstances should you move your iBook while it's on - and it's on even when it's asleep. Ever since then I have shut down the laptop and haven't had the problem since (well once, but that was an embarrassing mistake).

Hi William,

Thanks for the anecdote. I rarely shut my 'Books down, and have had no heat problems transporting them while asleep in cases ad backpacks, but perhaps the AppleCare guy knew what he was talking about.

Charles

OS 9 on Newer Macs

From Guy Serle

Don't know if you have any answer for this. I have some software (okay, it's a game) that won't load in Classic mode on my G4 iBook. I was able to play it on some earlier machines by booting directly into OS 9, playing the game, and then using prefs, switch back into OS X. With the new iBook, I can no longer boot into OS 9. Classic is useless for this game (MacPlay's Driver). Are you aware of an OS X version anywhere out there or some way to boot into OS 9 from newer machines? Thanks for any advice you may be able to give, although I have a feeling I may just have to permanently "retire" this game.

Guy

Hi Guy,

I think your surmise is probably correct. The inability to boot OS 9 is not an OS problem, but a ROM/boot enabler problem. The G4 iBook uses a variant of the 12" PowerBook logic board, and no OS 9 boot capability was ever developed for that board.

Perhaps you could pick up an older PowerBook or iBook on the cheap as a game platform if you're really missing that game.

Charles

RE: OS 9 on Newer Macs

From Guy Serle,

Thanks Charles,

I appreciate the quick response. I do have a machine (Quicksilver 933) that I can use to play it if I wish, but I only use that machine for "finishing" audio and video projects begun on the iBook. With wireless networking, I rarely need to use my tower for Internet access except for system upgrades. Looks like Driver will be heading for the dustbins unless MacPlay or someone else picks this up. I have looked on the Net for a workaround, but none seem to be present. Oh well, who has time for games?

Thanks again.
Guy

Hi Guy,

Not me. :-O

I used to play a bit of chess with my computer, but it's been years.

Charles

G3/900 Upgrade

From Mark Nigara

Hi Charles,

Thanks much for printing Bob's response to my email. Thanks, too, for the link about the heat sink mods. The G3/900 seems to run a little too hot, yes? It may have the edge in speed, but it seems the G4/550 is still the most reliable, if not the best choice.

Thanks again,
Mark

I'm very happy with my G4/550.

Charles

Re: Installing a New Hard Drive

From Juan Andres Munoz Fernandez

Hi Charles,

Thank you for your help. Finally I got why I could not install the HD. The partition had to be not only smaller than 8 GB, but smaller than 7 GB... :)

I am very happy now with my new space!

Regards
Juan

Hi Juan,

Now you've provided me with some interesting information. I wonder if that could be why I haven't been able to get Jaguar to install on my WallStreet?

Charles

Re: OS 9 Distributed Computing after SETI@home

From Kevin L. Knoles

An update is in order.

Dave Anderson told me that BOINC should be out of beta real soon, like maybe in a week or so, and things will move rapidly after that with an OS X BOINC GUI and the death of SETI@Home for OS 9 within a few months. I get the impression that other distributed computing apps for OS 9, like Evolution@Home and the DNET Client, won't have user friendly GUI's by then and, consequently, OS 9 users will just have to wait until they arrive or stop using their Macs for distributed computing. I expect this will be all the talk of OS 9 SETI@Home users in a few months. "What can I replace SETI@Home with?" will be the big question with no good answer. Almost as bad as the death of Napster (sniff!).

Thanks, Kevin.

Charles

Letters sent may be published at our discretion. Email addresses will not be published unless requested. If you prefer that your message not be published, mark it "not for publication." Letters may be edited for length, context, and to match house style.

Go to the Miscellaneous Ramblings Mailbag index.