Thread
Quadra 700 Appreciation - Stories - Got one?
I used a Q700 when it was brand new in high school, I was working on the yearbook, and we got two of 'em (plus one Q950) for yearbook use only!
Later got one of my own right after I left college, followed by "collecting" two more. One is fully decked out (max RAM, nice fast/large SCSI hard drive, fast accelerated video card, etc,) and in good physical shape, the other two are in various states of disrepair (one had its power supply yanked to put into a failing IIci.)
In 2002-2003, I configured one as a internet machine for a friend. Worked just fine with iCab until she got a modern computer of her own. Sadly, they've all been sitting unused in storage for a few years now.
Later got one of my own right after I left college, followed by "collecting" two more. One is fully decked out (max RAM, nice fast/large SCSI hard drive, fast accelerated video card, etc,) and in good physical shape, the other two are in various states of disrepair (one had its power supply yanked to put into a failing IIci.)
In 2002-2003, I configured one as a internet machine for a friend. Worked just fine with iCab until she got a modern computer of her own. Sadly, they've all been sitting unused in storage for a few years now.
Yes, I believe that the case for the IIvi/IIvx, the C/Q650 and the PM7100 were all the same or essentially the same. But while that case has the spot for the optical drive, there's still something about the IIcx/IIci/Q700 case that I like better.
Twice the memory capacity. And I have all the 72 pin 32MB SIMMs on hand that I could ever use and very few 30 pin 16MB SIMMs. Hence the perpetual $3 32MB SIMM sale.
I'm not sure how the on-board video compares. I looked at all this stuff when I came up with the idea more than five years ago, but other than acquiring a Q650 logic board and a few Q700s, I haven't done anything with the idea.
I figured it would be the memory, but I didn't feel like doing the research . . .
. . . and it's a lot more fun to hash this stuff out in the open.
I'm guessing the Video is a lot better for that entire desktop series, as 16" & 17" monitors were becoming standard fare by then. The Mac II series was never really intended to support a medium size monitor beyond the Portrait. You needed to buy a monitor support for anything that wasn't large enough to stand on its own tilt/swivel base with tiny little rubber feets.
Now I need to collect two more . . . ahem . . . one more Q700 and feed stock . . . so Elmo can remain stock. [}
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. . . and it's a lot more fun to hash this stuff out in the open.
I'm guessing the Video is a lot better for that entire desktop series, as 16" & 17" monitors were becoming standard fare by then. The Mac II series was never really intended to support a medium size monitor beyond the Portrait. You needed to buy a monitor support for anything that wasn't large enough to stand on its own tilt/swivel base with tiny little rubber feets.
Now I need to collect two more . . . ahem . . . one more Q700 and feed stock . . . so Elmo can remain stock. [}
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this sync on green thing the quadra 700 does is slightly annoying,
it may just be the adaptor i am using db15 to vga, but the only mode that works with out messing up the colors is VGA mode, but that stops at 800x600
the q605, the colors come in just fine at higher resolutions.
it may just be the adaptor i am using db15 to vga, but the only mode that works with out messing up the colors is VGA mode, but that stops at 800x600
the q605, the colors come in just fine at higher resolutions.
so again what boards will work in the q700 case with out moding the case?
Nice link Bunsen. I did not know that the Q650/800 did memory interleaving. It sounds a bit like a pre-cursor of the PCI PowerMacs. We should hunt down Dale Adams and interrogate him.
I'm particularly keen to know whether the memory banks can be made to support 64MB without hardware modification. In my tests, a 128 MB SIMM was seen as 64MB -- probably two banks of 32MB, given that a 64MB SIMM is seen as 32MB. Rob, do you have any insight on this? I know you've been experimenting in this area a bit.
I'm a bit miffed to see that the Q650/800 video system has less maximum bit depth than the Q700, but if one can live with 16 bit color it makes sense.
I'm particularly keen to know whether the memory banks can be made to support 64MB without hardware modification. In my tests, a 128 MB SIMM was seen as 64MB -- probably two banks of 32MB, given that a 64MB SIMM is seen as 32MB. Rob, do you have any insight on this? I know you've been experimenting in this area a bit.
I'm a bit miffed to see that the Q650/800 video system has less maximum bit depth than the Q700, but if one can live with 16 bit color it makes sense.
I've been having a heck of a time getting my hands on a 650 or 800. After several purchases that never materialized, I have paid for one that in theory was shipped 6 days ago. Only time will tell if it has actually shipped, and if it will ever arrive.
Doug kindly sent me a couple simm sockets in preparation for its arrival.
I am hopeful I will be able to get ~512MB working.
Doug kindly sent me a couple simm sockets in preparation for its arrival.
I am hopeful I will be able to get ~512MB working.
One additional NuBus slot trumps that advantage very nicely.
Certain hacks I think are totally worth it.
Throwing a different main-board in the Q700, thats just too frankenstein for me.
I would go as far as OC'ing the 25mhz 68040 in there, maybe install a nice video card, pretty much thats about it.
anything else, and it wouldn't be a Q700 any more.
Some people really hack these Q700 cases up with the dremel.
I would like to say, all the hacks I preform can always be reversed and made to be just like OEM , (if needed)
Throwing a different main-board in the Q700, thats just too frankenstein for me.
I would go as far as OC'ing the 25mhz 68040 in there, maybe install a nice video card, pretty much thats about it.
anything else, and it wouldn't be a Q700 any more.
Some people really hack these Q700 cases up with the dremel.
I would like to say, all the hacks I preform can always be reversed and made to be just like OEM , (if needed)
http://lowendmac.com/myturn/2k1213.html
A pre-PCI board swapping chart.
Not all ports will line up, but the mounting holes and braces and whatnot should all work across the different cases. Looks like I hadn't encountered the 5400/6400s yet, but they can be thrown into the 630 row (IIRC).
According to me (c.2000) the 650 board lines up perfectly with the 700's portholes... totally reversible
A pre-PCI board swapping chart.
Not all ports will line up, but the mounting holes and braces and whatnot should all work across the different cases. Looks like I hadn't encountered the 5400/6400s yet, but they can be thrown into the 630 row (IIRC).
According to me (c.2000) the 650 board lines up perfectly with the 700's portholes... totally reversible
interesting,
holy crap finder is using a ton of memory?
Its because he doesn't have mode 32 on? but maybe not, hummmm keep in mind its from bbraun, he might have something exotic he was in the middle of cooking up.
Speaking of this, My IIcx, will not "show" anything past 8mb ram, and doesn't have the mode32 option, in memory control panel.
Do I have to install some extra extension or something? This IIcx is not acting like any of the other machines I am using, as far as ram.
including my SE/30, se/30 has 64 megs of ram installed, all shows up fine. and its dirty just like the IIcx.
keep in mind its from bbraun, he might have something exotic he was in the middle of cooking up.Speaking of this, My IIcx, will not "show" anything past 8mb ram, and doesn't have the mode32 option, in memory control panel.
Do I have to install some extra extension or something? This IIcx is not acting like any of the other machines I am using, as far as ram.
including my SE/30, se/30 has 64 megs of ram installed, all shows up fine. and its dirty just like the IIcx.
Yep, Your Toaster ROM SIMM is a 32bit clean ROM, so you don't have the Mode32 extension in the System Folder.
Next time you set up a Custom System/ROM SIMM file to burn, be sure to use the "Install for any Macintosh" option for the OS install and then install Mode32 for any Dirty ROM Macs in which you might want to try it. Then use that System Folder for your ROM SIMM burn. Get the M32 installer on floppy and you might be OK as is . . .
. . . if the IIcx doesn't wander off looking for a Video Port to poll before configuring the Memory Map.
Next time you set up a Custom System/ROM SIMM file to burn, be sure to use the "Install for any Macintosh" option for the OS install and then install Mode32 for any Dirty ROM Macs in which you might want to try it. Then use that System Folder for your ROM SIMM burn. Get the M32 installer on floppy and you might be OK as is . . .
. . . if the IIcx doesn't wander off looking for a Video Port to poll before configuring the Memory Map.
The IIcx is bone stock, Dougg3's rom simm doesn't work in the IIcx,
My method of reasoning is this, The 7.1 zip boot disk works fine with the SE/30, it's stock right now just like the IIcx(dirty)
You know how, even if Mode32 isn't on it will still show that you have more then 8mb installed what ever the amount is?
the IIcx just shows 8mb, even if 64 is installed, and the 32bit option in the control panel, is not available with the IIcx.
its ok.. I can just throw 8 (1mb) simms … install 6.0.8 on it and call it a day…
its just LEM and Everymac says you can do up to 128 megs in it, just like the se/30.
My method of reasoning is this, The 7.1 zip boot disk works fine with the SE/30, it's stock right now just like the IIcx(dirty)
You know how, even if Mode32 isn't on it will still show that you have more then 8mb installed what ever the amount is?
the IIcx just shows 8mb, even if 64 is installed, and the 32bit option in the control panel, is not available with the IIcx.
its ok.. I can just throw 8 (1mb) simms … install 6.0.8 on it and call it a day…
its just LEM and Everymac says you can do up to 128 megs in it, just like the se/30.
Nope, the high system RAM usage and 8MB available is the standard "needs Mode32 installed" error message. Just do it!
Alrighty… pretty sure its already there, the same zip boot disk works fine with the SE/30. i'll get out my floppy disks and and do a Special IIcx install, just for it because its just so darn special.
Rob told me a little about the Q650 memory expansion in PM. The image shown there is probably with a large RAM disk. Above some value, he must allocate the extra memory to a RAM disk or it causes system problems. Still, he's got the available memory way beyond the original spec. or had when he PM'd me.
Yeah, it's a work in progress, but a half gig in a 68k mac ain't bad. A larger RAM disk than stock HDD, and more available memory than the stock ROM allows isn't terrible.
WooHoo! Nice work, ROM Dr. Braun. :approve:
I ended up throwing 4 - 16meg simms in my Q700,
Pretty much with the Video, the only setting that i can get to work properly, with my DB15 to VGA adaptor
is the VGA setting(640x and 800x), other Resolutions work, but the color is way off, faded greenish tint. if tried many of the settings
my adaptor has 6 switches,
anyone have the config paper for the 6 switch adaptor?
i googled with not good results.
Pretty much with the Video, the only setting that i can get to work properly, with my DB15 to VGA adaptor
is the VGA setting(640x and 800x), other Resolutions work, but the color is way off, faded greenish tint. if tried many of the settings
my adaptor has 6 switches,
anyone have the config paper for the 6 switch adaptor?
i googled with not good results.
ok after spending time, inside and out, of the 700 900 800 950 840av
The Quadra 700 is my most favorite case design,
- The Quadra 700 Over clockable to 32mhz
- Ram Expansion
- Vram Expansion
- Nubus Expansion
- All Solid Caps
- User Friendly Case, easy access.
- Quality, Non Brittle plastics
A negative:
- no internal optical drive expansion - 5 1/4
I would like to say Quadra 700 is my most favorite Quadra.
IF the q605 did not have brittle plastic, that would be my #1.
Nice thing about the LC475 its the same as the Q605 /wo the terrible plastics.
The Quadra 700 is my most favorite case design,
- The Quadra 700 Over clockable to 32mhz
- Ram Expansion
- Vram Expansion
- Nubus Expansion
- All Solid Caps
- User Friendly Case, easy access.
- Quality, Non Brittle plastics
A negative:
- no internal optical drive expansion - 5 1/4
I would like to say Quadra 700 is my most favorite Quadra.
IF the q605 did not have brittle plastic, that would be my #1.
Nice thing about the LC475 its the same as the Q605 /wo the terrible plastics.
Over a 20 year period, I was called in to sort out Macs for Alec Jeffreys, the inventor of genetic fingerprinting. When we first met, Alec was using a Quadra 700 which needed to be hooked up to university file servers plus a few patches to get MS Basic(!) working again. The Quadra was overkill for his immediate requirements but served him well when we rolled out Mosaic 2.0 (quickly followed by Netscape 0.9 etc) as a supported service for Mac users. The Quadra 700 replaced an SE/30 IIRC which continued to be used by other members of the lab.
Alec Jeffreys was one of those people who used his Mac for as long as it worked. The lab needed lots of other kit and whilst the department was well funded, Alec chose not to purchase vanity computers for himself. Attempts were made to drag him away from his G4 long after Apple had ceased providing OS support but he clung on.
I have a 700 and am looking for a good use or two for it! I'm considering taking it to my new apartment once I move in to serve as an Ethernet/AppleTalk bridge. The IBM 15" LCD I picked up in Charlotte at a thrift shop would be a nice topper for it.
For me, the biggest appreciation I have for it is the fact it shipped with tantalum caps on board. Some of these computers are reaching 22 years of age and still have original, functional caps (and will for another 30 years or so).
For me, the biggest appreciation I have for it is the fact it shipped with tantalum caps on board. Some of these computers are reaching 22 years of age and still have original, functional caps (and will for another 30 years or so).
Also got my 700 relived, what RAM can I use for the 4 slots to upgrade, currently I have 4x 4MB. Can I mix? f.e. 2x 8MB + 2x 4MB?
And what is the single slot in the middle of the board for?
BTW: The 700 is much more slower than my 650, how comes?
And what is the single slot in the middle of the board for?
BTW: The 700 is much more slower than my 650, how comes?
Q650 faster?
- q650 is 33mhz
- maybe the q700 has a slower hd
- maybe the q650 is running an older os then the q700
- cannot mix ram sizes in the q700
Make the q700 faster:
- q700 will oc to 32 mhz no problem
- Modern 10k 2.5" scsi HD would speed it up alot!
- running Mac os 7.1 on the q700 would make it very snappy.
- installing (4) 16meg simms (68megs) of ram would be nice.
- q650 is 33mhz
- maybe the q700 has a slower hd
- maybe the q650 is running an older os then the q700
- cannot mix ram sizes in the q700
Make the q700 faster:
- q700 will oc to 32 mhz no problem
- Modern 10k 2.5" scsi HD would speed it up alot!
- running Mac os 7.1 on the q700 would make it very snappy.
- installing (4) 16meg simms (68megs) of ram would be nice.
There's a definite generation gap going on. The best way to speed up a Q700 is actually doing a 650 MoBo transplant . . . [}] ]'>
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