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iMac 500mhz G3 Indigo
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Dedicated MacNNer
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York
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I'm interested in purchasing a pre-owned iMac for my boyfriend. http://www.powermax.com/cgi-global/g...cgi?p=c-u56057 <-- this is it. I'm curious as to what version of the OS this iMac would be running and if it is tray-loading or slot-loading. He needs it to burn CD's, browse the internet, email (he needs mail.app), and use iTunes and hopefully an iPod mini eventually. I looked around online to try and figure out more about this model, but I never came up with a definate answer on what version of the OS it's running. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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iBook G4: 800mhz, 640mb, 40gb ("Astrid")
iPod: 30gb Photo ("Gordon"), 1gb Shuffle ("Tinker Bell")
For the record: I am female
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Professional Poster
Join Date: Jun 2000
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I would guess it's running some version of OS 9 which the machine likely shipped with. I'd recommend buying 10.3 Panther for the machine if it has 10.1 or less installed.
It is a slot-loading iMac.
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Dedicated MacNNer
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York
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Originally posted by bradoesch:
I would guess it's running some version of OS 9 which the machine likely shipped with. I'd recommend buying 10.3 Panther for the machine if it has 10.1 or less installed.
It is a slot-loading iMac.
Buying Panther would be no problem. I'd imagine that installing Panther from OS 9 would not be a big deal then? I've never had to install an OS on a Mac before.
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iBook G4: 800mhz, 640mb, 40gb ("Astrid")
iPod: 30gb Photo ("Gordon"), 1gb Shuffle ("Tinker Bell")
For the record: I am female
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Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Minnesota - Twins Territory
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i think i got this exact machine a few years ago from powermax...i thought it had os x but maybe not. powermax was pretty good, maybe they would upgrade for you? tell them that having os x is a must and see what they can do for you.
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"I'm for anything that gets you through the night, be it prayer, tranquilizers, or a bottle of Jack Daniel's."
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Senior User
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: California
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Whatever you do, if you buy an iMac G3 and want to install OSX, make sure FIRST it has firmware 4.1.9 installed or have it installed.
My iMac G3 is in having surgery (Apple Tech) because OSX was installed before the firmware was.
Good machine and best regards.
PowerMax has a good reputation, BTW.
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: San Diego
Status:
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Dedicated MacNNer
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York
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I emailed PowerMax about installing OS X for me and they said that they have a deal with Apple that they can't do that.  I've never installed an OS on a Mac before. How do I know if firmware 4.1.9 is installed?
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iBook G4: 800mhz, 640mb, 40gb ("Astrid")
iPod: 30gb Photo ("Gordon"), 1gb Shuffle ("Tinker Bell")
For the record: I am female
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Professional Poster
Join Date: Jun 2000
Status:
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I'm not running OS 9 right now, but I'd imagine Apple System Profiler will tell you. If not, try installing the firmware because it should stop the installation if it's already installed.
Installing an OS on a Mac is very simple. Just pop in the CD and hold the c key while restarting. You'll then startup from the CD and you can follow along the installer.
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Senior User
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: California
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The system profiler does show the firmware revision; if an attempt to reinstall firmware takes place, the message appears that the computer has the latest (or that version) firmware already installed. After the firmware installs, the installer is placed in the trash to avoid confusion.
In my case, I deliberately pulled it from trash to desktop, just in case, if I might need it again because of some issues that occurred after the attempted OSX update. (I was too late; the damage was done). My issues were solely a firmware not installed prior to OSX install and nothing else on this version G3 iMac only.
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: San Diego
Status:
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When you insert the OS X disc, it will tell you if you need to upgrade the firmware. (mine did). Then D/L the upgrade at the Apple site and follow the instructions. It is very easy to do. THis whole thing was terribly foreign to me, but I managed. 
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Professional Poster
Join Date: Jun 2000
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Originally posted by boardsurfer:
When you insert the OS X disc, it will tell you if you need to upgrade the firmware. (mine did). Then D/L the upgrade at the Apple site and follow the instructions. It is very easy to do. THis whole thing was terribly foreign to me, but I managed.
What I can't understand is how people manage to install OS X without updating the firmware. Does booting from CD not check the firmware first?
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Admin Emeritus  Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
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$579 for a 500MHz iMac!!?!  Are they insane!?! That machine is worth half that, tops. Similar machines are selling on eBay for just over $200.
You could buy a brand-new 800MHz G3 iBook on clearance from MacMall for $700! That would be a far better use of the extra $120. Both the iMac or iBook would require extra RAM -- don't even think of running OS X with less than 256MB (I recommend much more than that).
tooki
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