<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> WROTE:
> Subject: pram chip problems
>
> well, who would have thought a chip would wear out? so I can't seem to type
> anything (I'm on another
> computer at this moment) it all comes out garbbleygook. I can't move anything
> on the desktop without it
> dupicating itself and leaving the original in it's spot. The cursor is often
> a hand instead of an arrow and
> doesn't do anything, leaving it almost inoperable.
>
> I ran virus software, techtools, Nortons . I've reinstalled the systems.
> rebuilt the desktops, cleared the
> pram, and then and I booted off a systems CD but even then the symptoms
> didn't disappear which leads me to suspect that it's hardware and not
> software. So I pulled the battery out and tested it and it
> was low, 3.1 or so and I replaced it with a new 4.5 battery and pressed the
> CUDA switch. still the symptoms are the same.
>
> I ran Techtools on the chip processors and the Pram chip didn't pass.
> Something is wrong with it. so,
> can I find one to replace it? Is it hard to do myself. I think I remembered
> that the motorola board is all
> soldered instead of plugs and that might make it difficult.
>
> Then I thought about abandoning the old gal, much to my regret. My brother has
> an old PowerTower
> Pro 225 and I thought maybe I could switch my harddrive over and my CD burner
> over and even my G3
> card, maybe, but not hoping. Do any of you know anything about the PowerTower
> from
> PowerComputing? Is there another list with that machine as a focus?
>
> so, do I abandon ship or fix it up? what's the vote?
>
> Thank you all for being there.
The PRAM chip isn't user-replaceable that I know of. Good work though in
finding that problem and also detecting that the battery needed replacing.
Have you tried holding down that CUDA button for about 30 sec?
If no go, you should be able to put your harddrive and CD burner in the
other computer. You may need to install software to operate the CD burner.
The G3 cards which were made to go in the cache slot for the Starmaxes fit a
few other computers but I don't know if the PowerTower was one- possibly. If
I had on old MacMall catalog I could look it up there but I pitched the old
ones. You could try calling them and asking if they still have any, and what
models they fit if so.
Another option would be to buy another Starmax- then you know all your
stuff would work in it, including your new battery. The stripped-down ones,
i.e. no extra stuff, are quite cheap,($40-50) like through eBay or the low
end mac swap list
LEM-Swap list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/swap.html>
You would also have spare parts if you needed them too, like the CD drive or
the power supply.
You could also consider getting a Beige G3 which is pretty cheap (about
$100-$150 now for a basic one plus shipping) and can hold more RAM and has a
faster bus speed and probably faster processor speed. And you could put OSX
on it if you wanted. You wouldn't be able the use the Starmax's RAM chips in
it, but other hardware could be used- your hard drive and CD Burner. I think
if I were paying $40 or so for shipping a computer I'd consider spending
about $80 extra to get a better computer while I'm at it.
George (NickUtah)
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