Thread

G4 questions

G4 questions Peripherals 15 posts Nov 19, 2012 — Dec 8, 2012

#1 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 - 16:04

As stated in the Conquests forum, I recently came into possession of a 733MHz Digital Audio G4. It had no hard drive, no monitor, no keyboard and no mouse. My PC monitor looks to work fine on it, the PC mouse as well. I have some old IDE drives (30 -40GB) so I should be fine there. What I don't have is the HD bracket or carrier for the drives. I know it was a "double-decker" type bracket, so I would appreciate leads as to where I could get one!!

I don't have System 9 software (I believe 9.1 came with this model, but that is speculation on my part based on what I've read so far. Early versions of OS X are supposed to work, but I also don't have any of those. My earliest OS X version is Snow Leopard which I know will not work on the G4. Does Apple still sell older versions and at what price? Limited income here, lol.

EDIT: I have a PC version of an Adaptec 29160 SCSI card. Could this be used?

#2 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 - 16:24

Apple no longer sells old versions, you'll need to look to eBay, etc.

The retail 9.2 will work on it, as well as any retail OS X 10.2 to 10.4. (10.5 will work with the help of an OpenFirmware hack.)

If you don't plan on moving it, you can just have the drives sit on the floor, no bracket needed. I run mine with one drive in a bracket, one "loose" on the bottom.

#3 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 - 17:33

I have the drive sitting on a piece of cardboard at the moment awaiting an OS. Will duct tape it in if I can't find a bracket!

#4 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 - 17:56

Velcro to the rescue!

#5 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 - 18:19

Velcro to the rescue!

2nd suggestion for Velcro. I guess it's the winner!

#6 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 - 20:43

If you need a bracket, I do have a spare single bracket that'll fit in the spot. Came out of one of my parts machines a while back. With respect to the OS, if you can get an 800MHz or faster G4 chip, it'll run 10.5.8 perfectly fine with no hacks. Got a 1.2GHz G4 chip in my DA and 10.5.8 installed just fine on one of my drives. Otherwise, 10.4.11 is what you'll want. That's also the last version that could do Classic, from what I've read.

-J

#7 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 - 21:17

I have the drive sitting on a piece of cardboard at the moment awaiting an OS. Will duct tape it in if I can't find a bracket!

A Nail Gun is more fun!

+1 Velcro

#8 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 - 21:22

A drywall screw gun or a .23 cal. blank powered concrete fastener gun is way more fun than than pneumatic nailers! [}

] ]'>

. . . if you can get an 800MHz or faster G4 chip, it'll run 10.5.8 perfectly fine with no hacks. Got a 1.2GHz G4 chip in my DA and 10.5.8 installed just fine on one of my drives

Where'd you get that CPU and how hard was the swap out?

When a replacement PSU for the Graphite Gift, brings my DA back to life, that upgrade sounds like the ticket . . .

. . . for OS9 of course! :approve:

< crosses fingers and swerves back on topic >

Velcro sounds interesting . . . especially for stacking drives . . . hrmmm . . .

. . . cooling slots! [

] ]'>

#9 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 - 23:29

Got it from RE-PC in Seattle, WA. Is an OWC Mercury accelerator chip. Swapped right in.

-J

#10 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 - 00:07

Cool, new or used? How much do those go for these days, or did you do it some time back?

#11 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 - 00:11

Was used. Got it a couple of years ago. I think I paid $30 for it.

-J

#12 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 - 00:21

#13 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 - 19:45

Another question. I would like to locate a manual for the G4. On all of the sites I have Googled, the manuals linked are for the early version of the G4. I am unable to locate the later versions

#14 Wed, 21 Nov 2012 - 08:23

I have a number of spare double-decker brackets. Send me an address and I'll get one off to you.

#15 Sat, 8 Dec 2012 - 17:11

A public THANK YOU to Wayne! Thanks to him, the HD is installed in the correct bracket, OS is installed and all is working fine. I currently am using a PC mouse and keyboard (sacrilege!) but am on the prowl for the original versions as supplied with the system. Thank you so much Wayne!!