Q: Can the Starmax 5000/225 use system OS X with an upgrade board (G3)? A: No. At least it's yet to be reported as having succeeded.
Besides it's really best to have a G4 machine for OSX - which upgrades dont exist for L2 slots- and more ram than the SM can hold, at least 256 mb. (300+ is better). But you should upgrade to OS 9.1, more stable than 9.0 you can download free updater from Apple/support.com If youre going to keep it, you could get a G3 upgrade card for it (goes in L2 cache slot, and needs driver loaded to extensions) cheaper than $230, esp if you get 300 mhz, esp used, like $125-160. Some metabox joecards sold new as low as $100. Unforntunately they and NewerTech both out of business, so little comptetion for Sonnet there. For new, check http://eshop.macsales.com/Accelerators/index.cfm then select "clones"- I just checked it and they only show Sonnet- $200 and up; or try dealmac.com once you know which youre looking for. (you know where to look for used- starts with "e") I see Sonnet is listing their 400 mhz/1mb cache G3 upgrade as compatible, at $250. You be the judge if another 100 mhz is worth another $100-$125 or so to you. Remember, you still have only 40 mhz bus speed on a starmax which will limit the improvement you see from the additional clock speed on the processor. The expression "you cant make a silk purse out of a sow's ear" comes to mind, but that is being too harsh on the starmax I suppose- some truth to it though. The hardware companies will be happy to sell you expensive silk for your "sow" but is this prudent? Most Starmax users are a thrifty bunch and look for "Kmart" clothes for their machines. Read this advice by Dan Knight to a G3 desktop user contemplating upgrades: >> If you want a serious OS X machine, skip the whole thing and save up for >> a nice used Power Mac G4 with AGP (from $450 on eBay) or a G4 iMac. >> You'll appreciate the faster system bus, may have a CD burner or DVD >> drive, and will simply have a system better matched to the demands of >> Mac OS X. >> >> But if you just want to dabble in OS X, you should find the upgraded >> machine [an Apple beige G3 upgraded with a G3 400-500 mhz card in ZIF slot] quite nice -- but do invest in additional RAM at that point as well. This is probably the minimum machine you want for OSX, or an iMac with equivalent ram and speed. They have 66 mhz bus. Some people run X on 300 mhz G3 and like it but admit it's sluggish compared to those w/ faster processor. NickUtah Starmax 3000/200 with Metabox joecard G3 260 mhz 160 mb ram/ OS 9.1 6 gb hd/ Voodoo 3 video card used internal jaz drive, used replacement floppy drive, used replacement 32x CD drive > Subject: Re: OS upgrade "program cannot run" > Date: Mon, 29 Apr 02 15:32:06 -0400 > From: pasanders <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > I'm considering upgrading to a G3 using one of the upgrade "kits" on line > (~$230). My system is currently running 9.0. Can the Starmax 5000/225 use > system OS X with an upgrade board (G3)? So far all I've been able to > upgrade to is 9.0 > > Reagrds, > > Paul -- StarMax is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... / Buy books, CDs, videos, and more from Amazon.com \ / <http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/lowendmac> \ Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> StarMax list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/starmax.html> 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/starmax%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Macintosh? Get free email and more at Applelinks! <http://www.applelinks.com>
