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Old PowerMac
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driven
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Jan 26, 2015, 03:16 AM
 
I have a 2003 era PowerMac G5 Dual 2.0.

This machine was in active use until about 18 months ago. (What a run for a machine, right?)

Now, I can't even get a copy of OS X that will install on it. It's in my storage room, next to my prized G4 Cube. (500Mhz)

What would you do with this machine? I'm pretty sure I can't get anything worthwhile on eBay. Yet the machine is too beautifully constructed to throw away.
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reader50
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Jan 26, 2015, 04:09 AM
 
I keep my quad G5 as a backup machine, and for compatibility with older games. At least, that's the theory. In practice it's been gathering dust.
     
driven  (op)
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Jan 26, 2015, 04:21 AM
 
Originally Posted by reader50 View Post
I keep my quad G5 as a backup machine, and for compatibility with older games. At least, that's the theory. In practice it's been gathering dust.
Yeah, that's pretty much where mine is. was hoping for something a bit better.
Honestly, were there ever many useful games on the Mac? I'm a huge Mac fan, but I've always assumed games were PC or console.
- MacBook Air M2 16GB / 512GB
- MacBook Pro 16" i9 2.4Ghz 32GB / 1TB
- MacBook Pro 15" i7 2.9Ghz 16GB / 512GB
- iMac i5 3.2Ghz 1TB
- G4 Cube 500Mhz / Shelf display unit / Museum display
     
Doc HM
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Jan 26, 2015, 05:53 AM
 
It will run 10.5. Slap two 3 TB Hard drives in it and use it as a media server. A graceful retirement.

They were great looking machines. Never fulfilled their potential though and most of them have long since passes away with heat related cpu/logic board issues. PSU problems killed any that the heat missed.
This space for Hire! Reasonable rates. Reach an audience of literally dozens!
     
driven  (op)
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Jan 26, 2015, 07:46 AM
 
Originally Posted by Doc HM View Post
It will run 10.5. Slap two 3 TB Hard drives in it and use it as a media server. A graceful retirement.

They were great looking machines. Never fulfilled their potential though and most of them have long since passes away with heat related cpu/logic board issues. PSU problems killed any that the heat missed.
The problem of course, is finding where to get a copy of 10.5. My Apple store has been less than helpful in this regard.

I agree on all your other points.
- MacBook Air M2 16GB / 512GB
- MacBook Pro 16" i9 2.4Ghz 32GB / 1TB
- MacBook Pro 15" i7 2.9Ghz 16GB / 512GB
- iMac i5 3.2Ghz 1TB
- G4 Cube 500Mhz / Shelf display unit / Museum display
     
Thorzdad
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Jan 26, 2015, 08:22 AM
 
If feel your pain. I also have a 2x2 G5 from the same era, more or less gathering dust in my son's room. It's running 10.3.9 and, according to my son, is all but useless, as it seems to have a lot of problems with many websites these days. And, I'm not sure if the version of iTunes on the thing will even work with the iTunes Store anymore.

What I'd really like to salvage, though, is the 23" Cinema HD display hooked to the G5. That's still a beautiful screen.
     
driven  (op)
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Jan 26, 2015, 08:28 AM
 
Originally Posted by Thorzdad View Post
If feel your pain. I also have a 2x2 G5 from the same era, more or less gathering dust in my son's room. It's running 10.3.9 and, according to my son, is all but useless, as it seems to have a lot of problems with many websites these days. And, I'm not sure if the version of iTunes on the thing will even work with the iTunes Store anymore.

What I'd really like to salvage, though, is the 23" Cinema HD display hooked to the G5. That's still a beautiful screen.
Is that the ADC monitor?
I had one years back and sold it while it had some value. Indeed it was an AMAZING screen. I'm so terrified now of Apple proprietary display connectors. (I really want the 27" Thunderbolt display, but am afraid of it for the same reason)
- MacBook Air M2 16GB / 512GB
- MacBook Pro 16" i9 2.4Ghz 32GB / 1TB
- MacBook Pro 15" i7 2.9Ghz 16GB / 512GB
- iMac i5 3.2Ghz 1TB
- G4 Cube 500Mhz / Shelf display unit / Museum display
     
Thorzdad
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Jan 26, 2015, 08:38 AM
 
Yeah, it's the ADC monitor. It breaks my heart to see it sitting there going unused.
     
driven  (op)
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Jan 26, 2015, 08:45 AM
 
Originally Posted by Thorzdad View Post
Yeah, it's the ADC monitor. It breaks my heart to see it sitting there going unused.
I'm right there with you. That is a VERY nice monitor.
- MacBook Air M2 16GB / 512GB
- MacBook Pro 16" i9 2.4Ghz 32GB / 1TB
- MacBook Pro 15" i7 2.9Ghz 16GB / 512GB
- iMac i5 3.2Ghz 1TB
- G4 Cube 500Mhz / Shelf display unit / Museum display
     
driven  (op)
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Jan 26, 2015, 08:47 AM
 
- MacBook Air M2 16GB / 512GB
- MacBook Pro 16" i9 2.4Ghz 32GB / 1TB
- MacBook Pro 15" i7 2.9Ghz 16GB / 512GB
- iMac i5 3.2Ghz 1TB
- G4 Cube 500Mhz / Shelf display unit / Museum display
     
Mike Wuerthele
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Jan 26, 2015, 01:02 PM
 
The Amazon one yes, the Belkin one, no. The Belkin is for connecting a DVI monitor to a ADC port.
     
Waragainstsleep
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Jan 27, 2015, 07:15 PM
 
Wouldn't this run 10.6?
I think there is still a way to get that. You have to call Applecare.
I have plenty of more important things to do, if only I could bring myself to do them....
     
reader50
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Jan 27, 2015, 08:14 PM
 
10.5 Leopard is the highest any PPC Mac can go. The PPC code was stripped out of Snow Leopard builds very early. Before any were released to devs.

It is possible Apple continued the PPC OS builds internally as a safety measure (as they did with x86 builds for a long time). But if there are PPC 10.6 builds or higher, I haven't heard a single rumor.
     
driven  (op)
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Jan 28, 2015, 02:31 AM
 
Originally Posted by Waragainstsleep View Post
Wouldn't this run 10.6?
I think there is still a way to get that. You have to call Applecare.
I don't have AppleCare on this machine. I haven't for a very long time.
- MacBook Air M2 16GB / 512GB
- MacBook Pro 16" i9 2.4Ghz 32GB / 1TB
- MacBook Pro 15" i7 2.9Ghz 16GB / 512GB
- iMac i5 3.2Ghz 1TB
- G4 Cube 500Mhz / Shelf display unit / Museum display
     
Waragainstsleep
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Feb 3, 2015, 10:30 PM
 
Originally Posted by driven View Post
I don't have AppleCare on this machine. I haven't for a very long time.
That doesn't matter. Call and ask. Or go to a store
I have plenty of more important things to do, if only I could bring myself to do them....
     
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Feb 4, 2015, 09:46 AM
 
Originally Posted by reader50 View Post
I keep my quad G5 as a backup machine, and for compatibility with older games. At least, that's the theory. In practice it's been gathering dust.
Still using one of these as my main machine. Runs just as quick as my "new" PC machine at work that is a complete HP dog. Flash as always is rubbish on PPC.
"angels bleed from the tainted touch of my caress"
     
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Feb 4, 2015, 09:49 AM
 
Originally Posted by Waragainstsleep View Post
That doesn't matter. Call and ask. Or go to a store
Would have to agree. If you hit the right person they are more interested in keeping a good machine alive.
"angels bleed from the tainted touch of my caress"
     
driven  (op)
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Feb 4, 2015, 10:05 AM
 
Originally Posted by Waragainstsleep View Post
That doesn't matter. Call and ask. Or go to a store
Two different stores were entirely useless in this regard. (Hence why I posted here)
I'll call AppleCare and see how that goes.
- MacBook Air M2 16GB / 512GB
- MacBook Pro 16" i9 2.4Ghz 32GB / 1TB
- MacBook Pro 15" i7 2.9Ghz 16GB / 512GB
- iMac i5 3.2Ghz 1TB
- G4 Cube 500Mhz / Shelf display unit / Museum display
     
   
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