Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

kr0z · Sep 19, 2006, 11:07 PM

But seriously I have only this morning been given an older "G4" Mac and I am truly impressed. Already upgraded the RAM to 1GB - can't do anything about the 400MHz Processor but it doesn't seem slow to me, and my "other" Computer is a AMD X2 with 3GB RAM.

I love the consistency and the look of Mac OS X - Got 10.3 here.

If anyone is interested, I decided to investigate Mac as a platform I want to switch full time to - after being a Microsoft Beta Tester for the Windows Team for nearly 10 years.
I just wasn't happy or impressed with Microsoft's Windows Vista and it's "Vision" for my desktop.

Happy to be a ... Mac ... and a PC - although much less a pc now.

sek929 · Sep 19, 2006, 11:09 PM

Welcome, a word to the wise.....don't drink the water here....they...put something in it....that makes you forget....

KeriVit · Sep 19, 2006, 11:17 PM

Well, ya know, if you can't decide which side to ride, ride 'em both!

Welcome.

kr0z · Sep 19, 2006, 11:24 PM

Cheers for the welcome!

I'm just in the process of updating my poor old (yet very sexy) Mac - OS X 10.3.9 117MB - that's a lot of updates.

This is odd but I now look back at my PC and shiver with disgust.

I always have been a closet Mac Lover!! - There its out!!

phantomdragonz · Sep 19, 2006, 11:28 PM

if it's a g4 they make processor upgrades for them... I used to have one (400Mhz stock - 1ghz) and it breathed a whole new life into the thing...

but you can't beat the new intel machines...

I just finished installing windows on my mac pro... AFTER I learned about the new EFI firmware that fixes the "slow SATA performance"

and welcome to the bright side... OSX is so much easier to use!

Zach

kr0z · Sep 19, 2006, 11:29 PM

Just one question. Do I really need an AV scanner on OS X?

GSixZero · Sep 19, 2006, 11:30 PM

Sounds like you're drinking the kool-aid right now. I was pretty deep into windows before I tried OS X but two weeks after buying a powerbook, my dell was in the closet. I haven't really used a windows machine in almost 3 years.

kr0z · Sep 19, 2006, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by phantomdragonz

if it's a g4 they make processor upgrades for them... I used to have one (400Mhz stock - 1ghz) and it breathed a whole new life into the thing...

but you can't beat the new intel machines...

I just finished installing windows on my mac pro... AFTER I learned about the new EFI firmware that fixes the "slow SATA performance"

and welcome to the bright side... OSX is so much easier to use!

Zach

Oh cool! I didn't realise the cpu could be upgraded.

I just find that OS X "makes sense" and I'm taking to it really well.

kr0z · Sep 19, 2006, 11:35 PM

Originally Posted by GSixZero

Sounds like you're drinking the kool-aid right now. I was pretty deep into windows before I tried OS X but two weeks after buying a powerbook, my dell was in the closet. I haven't really used a windows machine in almost 3 years.

The kool-aid tastes might good.

I'm going to use this free G4 that I was given for as long as it works - but when it gives up - one day. Hopefully not anytime soon - then I'm switching totally!

Gee Windows Vista looks clumsy and ugly after just 3 hours on the Mac.

KeriVit · 11:43 PM

Sorry I replied in the wrong thread... feel free to answer kr0z below or in the appropo thread.

kr0z · Sep 19, 2006, 11:39 PM

Originally Posted by KeriVit

BOT

I have a couple of old Macs, but they usually retire for a reason. i.e.- I have an iBook w/ a dead display. Another with a dead HD. (Which I have Apple Care on- but never registered it so it's not serviceable.)

So what do you do with broken Macs that can make them useful again?

I tried to fix the display issue and made a mess. But, let's say I fix the other one. What can I do with it it that's fun since I don't NEED it?

I've already replaced the RAM and the HDD in my G4 - it was pretty easy.

I could use one of the dead mac's you have

but I guess sending it over to australia would cost and arm and a leg - and then to be fair I would need to offer you something for it.

KeriVit · Sep 19, 2006, 11:43 PM

Originally Posted by kr0z

I've already replaced the RAM and the HDD in my G4 - it was pretty easy.

I could use one of the dead mac's you have

but I guess sending it over to australia would cost and arm and a leg - and then to be fair I would need to offer you something for it.

I could probably sell it for parts.

- - e r i k - - · Sep 20, 2006, 04:57 AM

Originally Posted by kr0z

Just one question. Do I really need an AV scanner on OS X?

No.

C.A.T.S. CEO · Sep 20, 2006, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by kr0z

Just one question. Do I really need an AV scanner on OS X?

Stupid Question.

Moving on...

rickey939 · Sep 20, 2006, 08:17 AM

Welcome to the 'NN, my name is rickey939.

cybergoober · Sep 20, 2006, 08:18 AM

Just one question. Do I really need an AV scanner on OS X?

It wouldn't be a bad idea if you send and/or receive a lot of files from Windows users. Your Mac might not get infected, but you could send infected files on to unsuspecting Windows users - who really should be running AV, and you'd have to put up with "You sent me a virus. Blah blah blah".

besson3c · Sep 20, 2006, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by C.A.T.S. CEO

Stupid Question.

Moving on...

kr0z, don't mind this rudeness, CATS is 12... literally actually.

C.A.T.S. CEO · Sep 20, 2006, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by besson3c

kr0z, don't mind this rudeness, CATS is 12... literally actually.

14.

brassplayersrock² · Sep 20, 2006, 08:38 AM

there is no such thing as a stupid question.... just stupid answers.... understand cats?

besson3c · Sep 20, 2006, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by brassplayersrock

there is no such thing as a stupid question.... just stupid answers.... understand cats?

I wish I understood cats, they mostly just look at me all day, and some don't like me to pet them.

mitchell_pgh · Sep 20, 2006, 09:28 AM

I think we should ban anyone that's 14

It's a little scary to think that I joined this board when CATS was what... what... around 7 years old.

rickey939 · Sep 20, 2006, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh

I think we should ban anyone that's 14

It's a little scary to think that I joined this board when CATS was what... what... around 7 years old.

Ewwww.

Shaddim · Sep 20, 2006, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by C.A.T.S. CEO

14.

I own jeans at are older than that.

Eug · Sep 20, 2006, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by kr0z

Oh cool! I didn't realise the cpu could be upgraded.

Not sure which model you have, but I would only upgrade if you could get it cheap. You can get a 1.2 GHz G4 with 2 MB L3 for US$200 in the US. However, I have no idea how much it costs where you live. Also, you're still limited by that crappy 100 MHz bus. No USB 2 either.

Chuckit · Sep 20, 2006, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh

It's a little scary to think that I joined this board when CATS was what... what... around 7 years old.

Whoa. You, sir, just blew my mind.

Orion27 · Sep 20, 2006, 12:34 PM

I hate these commercials!

The Godfather · Sep 20, 2006, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by KeriVit

Well, ya know, if you can't decide which side to ride, ride 'em both!

Welcome.

Genius! May I quote you in my sig?

Chuckit · Sep 20, 2006, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by KeriVit

Well, ya know, if you can't decide which side to ride, ride 'em both!

Erm…this is about computers, right?

Gossamer · Sep 20, 2006, 12:45 PM

I started reading thses boards and registered when I was 14 also. But I steered clear of the lounge back then. Isn't that right, lothar56?

lothar56 · Sep 20, 2006, 12:45 PM

Why yes, that's quite right. Probably a good idea too. Oh well.

sek929 · Sep 20, 2006, 12:52 PM

I joined when I was 15 or so.....course there was no lounge yet.

Back then we just had to derail troubleshooting threads with inane banter....now we have a whole forum area dedicated to it. Oh what a glorious time!

MaxPower2k3 · Sep 20, 2006, 02:41 PM

I joined when I was 14. Right after the first Aluminum powerbooks were announced (my first mac). I'm 18 now, and on my third mac.

Velocity211 · Sep 20, 2006, 02:51 PM

Well, cats isn't the youngest person here...

Gossamer · Sep 20, 2006, 03:42 PM

But he's the most vocal and therefore the most irritating.

C.A.T.S. CEO · 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

But he's the most vocal and therefore the most irritating.

I am more vocal because I feel like "just one of the guys". Is that so bad? Unlike most teens my age* I have an opinion about things in the world. And **** bad grammar, I get my message across!

(*The kids around here drink and don't care about anyone but themselves.)

- - e r i k - - · Sep 20, 2006, 06:07 PM

I think you are the most irritating because you spell just with an e.

eddiecatflap · Sep 20, 2006, 06:21 PM

kids are so spoilt these days

::maroma:: · Sep 20, 2006, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by C.A.T.S. CEO

I am more vocal because I feel like "just one of the guys". Is that so bad? Unlike most teens my age* I have an opinion about things in the world. And **** bad grammar, I get my message across!

Is that so bad? Well yes, when you say crap like "Stupid Question.

Moving on..." then yes, it is. It wasn't a stupid question, but you made a really stupid statement.

C.A.T.S. CEO · Sep 20, 2006, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by ::maroma::

Is that so bad? Well yes, when you say crap like "Stupid Question.

Moving on..." then yes, it is. It wasn't a stupid question, but you made a really stupid statement.

The question is stupid because it implies that Macs get viruses. Thats a stupid question.

Chuckit · Sep 20, 2006, 07:17 PM

It inquires as to whether Macs get viruses. I don't see why that's a stupid question. Is any question you know the answer to a stupid question?

Gossamer · Sep 20, 2006, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by C.A.T.S. CEO

The question is stupid because it implies that Macs get viruses. Thats a stupid question.

But you don't realize that not only CAN Macs get viruses, but they can pass on 'inert' viruses to PCs without knowing it. So if you're on a network including PCs, it is a good idea to have some sort of virus protection. This is what we're talking about. You're ignorant and quite often rude.

kr0z · Sep 20, 2006, 07:25 PM

I have another question. I want to replace the IDE drive, which is just 20GB, for a 40GB or more.

Do I need a special "Mac" Hard Disk or will any IDE HDD do? Also, should I wipe the hard disk that I want to add to the Mac or will the OS X 10.4 installer do that for me?

Love my G4!

Installed Virex - from McAfee to scan those possibly infected PC files

besson3c · Sep 20, 2006, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by C.A.T.S. CEO

The question is stupid because it implies that Macs get viruses. Thats a stupid question.

What makes you think that a Mac couldn't get a virus? That's a stupid statement.

besson3c · Sep 20, 2006, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by kr0z

I have another question. I want to replace the IDE drive, which is just 20GB, for a 40GB or more.

Do I need a special "Mac" Hard Disk or will any IDE HDD do? Also, should I wipe the hard disk that I want to add to the Mac or will the OS X 10.4 installer do that for me?

Love my G4!

Any IDE HD, the OS X installer can wipe your disk.

Gossamer · Sep 20, 2006, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by kr0z

I have another question. I want to replace the IDE drive, which is just 20GB, for a 40GB or more.

Do I need a special "Mac" Hard Disk or will any IDE HDD do? Also, should I wipe the hard disk that I want to add to the Mac or will the OS X 10.4 installer do that for me?

Love my G4!

Installed Virex - from McAfee to scan those possibly infected PC files

You can use any hard drive under 128GB just fine (some of the older Macs had problems with drives bigger than that, but an IDE card will let you use larger drives). In your Applications folder you'll find a Utilities folder, and there's a program called 'Disk Utility' that can take care of your drives for you. You mentioned that you want to replace the drive completely. In that case, I'd put in the new drive, format it, then use Carbon Copy Cloner to make an exact copy of your current hard drive to the new hard drive, that way you don't have to go through all kinds of installation garbage again.

kr0z · Sep 20, 2006, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

Any IDE HD, the OS X installer can wipe your disk.

I was asking because I just installed a known working Hard Disk and when I ran the OS X 10.4 install it didn't list the new hard disk as available for installation of the operating system.

Gossamer · Sep 20, 2006, 07:31 PM

Did you pull it out of a Windows system? If so, it might be formatted as NTFS, which Mac OS X can't write to. You'll want to format it as HFS+ (the default Mac OS format).

kr0z · Sep 20, 2006, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

Did you pull it out of a Windows system? If so, it might be formatted as NTFS, which Mac OS X can't write to. You'll want to format it as HFS+ (the default Mac OS format).

That... Was probably it!

I'm going to wipe the hard disk completely and then install it in the mac.

Chuckit · Sep 20, 2006, 07:38 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

What makes you think that a Mac couldn't get a virus?

No viruses exist for the Mac. It is impossible to contract a virus that does not exist. Macs cannot currently contract viruses. QED.

Gossamer · Sep 20, 2006, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by kr0z

That... Was probably it!

I'm going to wipe the hard disk completely and then install it in the mac.

You can do it from within the Mac. Just look at Disk Utility like I said, and format it has the default format (you can't do that from Windows).