Just got my first Macintosh! ^_^

[Silicate Wielder]

Okay, I'm not a fanatic of apple or Macintosh but I got my first macintosh yesterday from a resale shop for $20 (thats why I got it, not to mention my other option costed about $40-$50 anyways it runs Mac OS 9 and its ram and CPU are going bad. its an iMac from somewhere between 1998 to 2000, not sure, the os release is from 1999 and the help center has the date 2000, I'm also getting my internet today so I will be all set, I would like to upgrade the hardware in it but thats going to be a pain since its a moniter with a tower built-in, not to mention my mom dosn't want me taking it apart just yet. is it possible to upgrade it to be able to run atleast Mac OSX leopard without spending a fortune? the hardrive I think holds around 10gigs.

[StoppingTime]

I doubt it would be able to run any version of OSX above 10.4, if that.
Is it a flat panel?

[Silicate Wielder]

no, its an old one. I want to upgrade the hardware in it, here is also a video from the setup assistant. https://dl.dropbox.com/s/fdzl29cffirhw59/iMac%20Intro.mov?dl=1

[StoppingTime]

Most likely, if it isn't a flat panel, it won't get past 10.3, and you'll have to pay for that software (if you can find it). As for the hardware, what else would you put in it or update?

[Cognizant]

You can tell just by the CD drive:
Tray loading: 10.3.9 (Panther)
Slot loading: 10.4.11 (Tiger)

You can't run 10.5 (Leopard) unless you do some firmware hacking, because 10.5 doesn't support G4's lower than 800mhz or the G3 series at all.

[Telkanis]

I'd listen to pat! But from what I know they switched to intel for their cpu and the stuff from before the switch isn't supported any more :(. I know at least on pcs newer intel CPUs won't fit in slots of older computers so I think you'd have trouble updating the computer.

[Silicate Wielder]

Okay, apparently internet works, it took a while to setup because the modem was misconfiured, and they don't really support older computers anymore. the site does look odd though, which is expected. :P

and I meant like upgrading the entire motherboard,ram, and hardrive then installing a newer OS.

this is an 1998 Imac (I think.) and it has Slot loading instead of tray loading

[TheMatrix]

Most likely, if it isn't a flat panel, it won't get past 10.3,
Nah, screen has nothing to do with it. As long as it can do 24-bit colour, MacOS X should be able to run on it(for display only).

I'd listen to pat! But from what I know they switched to intel for their cpu and the stuff from before the switch isn't supported any more :(. I know at least on pcs newer intel CPUs won't fit in slots of older computers so I think you'd have trouble updating the computer.
It's not only an issue of fitting, it's an issue of the hardware and OS itself. The MacOS 9 ran on the PowerPC architecture, which is incompatible with the Intel 80386 and similar. That is, unless you can somehow translate the instructions to the POWER format and back again quickly(not practical as of yet without something that runs at a higher level like Qemu), then you will get slower-than-intended speeds. But that's not all, you would have to translate the hardware as well. And that is no easy task. You'd be better off getting a newer machine if that is your intention.

Enjoy it, though, that was a pretty interesting generation of computers.

[Infidelitas]

I remember using those in Primary School :)

[HunterSteele]

You have a very old computer. While it might be fun to play with, it's from 1999 and you won't be able to use it for much other than its novelty factor.

and I meant like upgrading the entire motherboard,ram, and hardrive then installing a newer OS.
Macs aren't made to be upgradeable like that (excluding the Mac Pro). All the components are designed just so to fit in the case, where most of the space is taken up by the monitor tube. You could take that out and replace it with an LCD screen, but then you reach the point where it would be cheaper to just buy a new iMac.

[Silicate Wielder]

Well, the MACs of today don't come in different colors like this does, and I want to have a modern mac that is a little original. btw, internet is working well as long as there is no java or flashplayer involved, I'm actually posting on here from that Imac. :P

besides I can always do a little research, buy a mac and move the hardware into this imac. it would be atleast $20-25 more since I may have to buy tools and I got this for $20 but for customization I think it could be worth it. besides, its rare to get a computer this old that works and is in nearly perfect condition, it needs a tune-up anyways.

[Cognizant]

I'm just curious, what colour is it? :)

Also, if I'm understanding right....

It's not only an issue of fitting, it's an issue of the hardware and OS itself. The MacOS 9 ran on the PowerPC architecture, which is incompatible with the Intel 80386 and similar. That is, unless you can somehow translate the instructions to the POWER format and back again quickly(not practical as of yet without something that runs at a higher level like Qemu), then you will get slower-than-intended speeds. But that's not all, you would have to translate the hardware as well. And that is no easy task. You'd be better off getting a newer machine if that is your intention.


10.5 was designed for the higher-end PPC machines, along with intel. It doesn't support the G3 because of the limited speed/architecture. If you modified the firmware of the iMac, you'd be able to run 10.5 slowly, but surely.

[Silicate Wielder]

It's blue, which is my favorite color.
and its not completely boxy, I hate boxy computers, to me a boxy computer is bland.

Sorry, but internet explore 5 dosn't like modern day google images so I couldn't give you a direct link.

[HunterSteele]

Well, the MACs of today don't come in different colors like this does, and I want to have a modern mac that is a little original. btw, internet is working well as long as there is no java or flashplayer involved, I'm actually posting on here from that Imac. :P

besides I can always do a little research, buy a mac and move the hardware into this imac. it would be atleast $20-25 more since I may have to buy tools and I got this for $20 but for customization I think it could be worth it. besides, its rare to get a computer this old that works and is in nearly perfect condition, it needs a tune-up anyways.
Your computer looks like this, does it not?

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_adZNKc4EiWI/R9OFP4lZBjI/AAAAAAAADCU/AwEsUcF6WMU/s400/Apple_iMAC_G3.jpg

You could not buy a new Mac and put the components in this case-- they would not fit. Also, no current Mac has a screen the same size as this Mac. Why not just paint your new Mac?

[Silicate Wielder]

Yep, its the indigo blue one. Sane as waht I have, but you wold be amazed at how muc space can be made in this, and plus i can just get a moniter of proper sze and hok it up to the VGA or moniter port on the motherboard.

and to me this is just another project that gives me something to do, otherwise I would just buy a new mac

[StoppingTime]

Nah, screen has nothing to do with it. As long as it can do 24-bit colour, MacOS X should be able to run on it(for display only).



I asked him that because it was a later model, not because of the actual screen.