[Eug]

OK, this PowerMac 8500/150 has been gathering dust for many many months at work.

It was working before with OS 8, but in the meantime I had set up a Windows 2000 2-D graphics system with all sorts of new toys, but the zillion year-old Kodak DCS420 SCSI digital camera doesn't like it much.

So, I decided to revive the 8500/150.... Plugged it in, turned it on and...
Grayscreen.

The drive has keeps making this noise like it's spinning up, but then it beeps, and then it stops making this noise after a while.

It's not the rest of the computer, because it books up fine with the OS9 install disk using the CD-ROM. The drive setup function thinks there's something on the SCSI interface (besides the CD-ROM) and attempts to initialize it. When it does this the drive starts making this noise again. In the end however, it all stops again, and everything says no drive exists there. Thus, it seems the drive is toast. I tried reseating the SCSI cable to no avail.

This is a picture of the drive. Can it be replaced? If so, what's the maximum size? Where do I get it in Toronto?

Also, what is this card that I pulled from the bottom of the computer.

And how the hell do I remove the motherboard to install more RAM? This is annoying me to no end.

I figure an 8500/150 with another 64 RAM, a working 4 GB HD, and OS 9 should run most simple programs OK.

[str1]

Hiya.

Segate makes a nice 18 gig drive that I used in my 8100 for a long time. I believe it costs around $250, but I don't really remember.

As far as installing ram...the 8x00 series is absolutely a pain in the arse to install ram. You have to physically remove the motherboard. Here's how you do it:

take off the case cover

remove any cards plugged into the motherboard

remove any plugs plugged into the motherboard (they're all on top)

there's a window-frame looking plastic dealie on the outside of the motherboard. It's held in by a single screw in teh middle. remove it and the thin *should* swing out like a door. Just take it off.

The motherboard should slide out (pull it straight toward the front of the computer).

that's it. Painful, huh?

Feel free to email me if you have any problems.

Cheers
Scott

[PatGmac]

Mac Warehouse sells that Seagate 18GB 50 pin drive for $326 canadian.

http://www.macwarehouse.ca/product.asp?sku=DR13591

That card you pulled out looks like a DOS card.

Did a search for '8500 ram install' on google.com and this came up:
http://www.bigfat.com/mac8500-l/8500memory.htmlhttp://www.macware house.ca/product.asp?sku=DR13591

[CRASH HARDDRIVE]

If that is a DOS card, you might try yanking the RAM out of it, and trying it in the Mac. A DOS card I had took the exact same RAM as the Mac itself.

If you have the RAM slots, and it is the same RAM, no sense in wasting it.

Yup, when a harddrive does the things you described, (expecially electronic beeping noises)it is indeed TOAST.

Also, virtually any SCSI replacement drive will work fine for you. If all you want is a smaller capacity one, you can probably find an older one for way cheap, rather than buying the 18gig Seagate.