My local thrift store has a Beige G3 Desktop for sale for $40. I am considering buying it to replace my Umax S900 as my main computer, but I have a few (okay, a LOT) of questions. I'd appreciate any help you could give.
Here's the specs of the G3 I saw, as far as I can remember: Processor: 266 MHz (in Apple System Profiler) RAM: Somewhere between 100 and 200 MB Hard drive: 4 or 6 GB OS: 8.1 DVD Drive (it said "DVD" on the front of the drive tray) Some sort of AV in/out card (6 RCA and 2 S-Video jacks) It also came with a small (14 or 15 inch) Apple monitor (with built in speakers), keyboard, and mouse. I already have a better monitor, keyboard, and mouse on my S900 that I would move to the G3, so these would just go in my pile of spare equipment or to the swap list. Anyway, the questions: 1. I know the Rev. A ROM make this computer a road Apple. I have found instructions for checking the motherboard revision (in Apple System Profiler), but this is different from the ROM revision, right? If I check ASP and it says it has a Rev. 1 motherboard, does that mean that it definitely has the bad Rev. A ROM? If it has a Rev. 2 or 3 mobo does it for sure have a Rev. B or C ROM? Or does ASP actually check the ROM and not the mobo? Will I need to open the case to find out for sure whether it's a road Apple? Does that take any tools? 2. If I bought it I might end up putting a processor upgrade in it. I've read that there's a certain brand voltage regulator that can cause problems with upgrades. How can I tell if this machine has the bad regulator? Is this another case-opener? 3. What's with the DVD drive? I tried starting Apple DVD player from the Apple menu, and it said that it couldn't start because a required something or other was not found. Does this machine need some sort of DVD decoder card in addition to the drive to play DVD movies? 4. I've been looking at RAM upgrades on OWC, and after selecting "G3 Desktop" I get a bunch of choices for 256 MB RAM modules, ranging from $25 to $75. Is there any reason why the lowest priced one, "256MB PC66/100 168 pin SDRam Low Profile for Apple PowerMac G3 Beige Models Only (Desktop, Tower, All-In-One)", would perform worse in this computer than the more expensive ones? 6. Would this computer be much faster than my 250 MHz S900? Fast enough to justify the expense (1/10th of the price of a Mac Mini is still a lot of money to me!) and the trouble of switching everything over? Thanks in advance for any and all answers you can provide! -- G-List is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- We have Apple Refurbished Monitors in stock! | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-List list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[email protected]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> iPod Accessories for Less at 1-800-iPOD.COM Fast Delivery, Low Price, Good Deal www.1800ipod.com
