G3 Long Startup Delay
Subject: PowerBook G3 long startup delays?From: Thomas Reed <thomasareed@earthlink.net>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables
Message-id: <040620012123402581%thomasareed@earthlink.net>
Date: Tue, 05 Jun 2001 02:22:18 GMT
I have a PowerBook G3 233 (Wallstreet), and it takes a LOOONG time between when I press the power button and when the startup chime is heard. I mean, for around 20 seconds, I'm sitting there wondering if the keypress took or if I should push it again.
Just wondering if this is normal with this machine or if there's something screwed up with mine...
Thanks in advance!
*
From: DaveC <anon@example.net>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables
Subject: Re: PowerBook G3 long startup delays?
Date: Wed, 6 Jun 2001 12:56:56 -0700
Message-id: <01HW.B743D9180004D53203F08C20@news.dnai.com>
Turn off AppleTalk if you don't need it. This will speed up your boot time.
You may want to create a little AppleScript script to turn it off and put this script in your Shutdown Items folder in the Systems Folder. This way, AppleTalk will be turned off every time you shut down your system. Your boot time will be reduced, and you can always turn on AT whenever you need it (printing, etc.).
-- Note that my return address is corrupted in an attempt to reduce spam. If you choose to e-mail me, please correct my address as described below.
Thanks, Dave
-- Dave Carpenter Sound Logic voicebox@NOdnai.com
*
From: Lane <at@at.at>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables
Subject: Re: PowerBook G3 long startup delays?
Date: Tue, 05 Jun 2001 00:20:09 -0500
Message-id: <050620010020099249%at@at.at>
i have the same machine and have had the same problem ever since i upgraded to OS 9.1. i also get static feedback in my speakers when i sleep or wake my machine.
*
From: "jaap" <jaap@dircon.co.uk>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables
Subject: Re: PowerBook G3 long startup delays?
Message-id: <i00T6.46$dN1.6362@news.dircon.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 05 Jun 2001 08:39:31 +0100
Have you switched off your "memory test on startup"? You get this option if you press apple-alt whilst opening your memory control panel.
*
From: "Oskar Lissheim" <oskar.lissheim@swipnet.se>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables
Subject: Re: PowerBook G3 long startup delays? X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
Message-id: <catT6.2233$WW6.284661@newsb.telia.net>
Date: Wed, 06 Jun 2001 16:49:12 GMT
> > Have you switched off your "memory test on startup"? You get this option if
> > you press apple-alt whilst opening your memory control panel.
I tried that one. Doesn't do anything to me...still a very long wait (prolly more than 20 sec)
/Oskar
From: Bob <Bob@nospam4me.com>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables
Subject: Re: PowerBook G3 long startup delays?
Date: 6 Jun 2001 19:04:18 GMT
Message-id: <9fluri$1q6$0@216.39.173.69>
The three things that can cause a long startup delay:
Not having a 'startup disk' selected in the Startup Disk control panel Lots of RAM and the memory check (as above) Appletalk or TCP/IP is trying to connect to something that isn't available. (most common)
*
Subject: Re: PowerBook G3 long startup delays?
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables
From: nemesys@cox.rr.com (Laurent Daudelin)
Message-id: <o0mU6.21733$e34.6745966@typhoon.southeast.rr.com>
Date: Sat, 09 Jun 2001 09:29:56 GMT
I don't know if the original poster has the same situation that I have, but in my case, the startup delay happens even before the screen turns on. If I do a shutdown, wait a few seconds then press the power key, it takes about 45 seconds before the screen turns on and the happy Mac appears. That would seem to indicate that the Mac is looking for a startup device. However, I'm using the latest version of "Startup Disk", version 9.2.1 to switch between Classic 9.1 and OS X (version 10.0.3). After rebooting from OS X into 9.1, Apple System Profiler reports my internal drive as being the startup device. So, my Wallstreet shouldn't have to look at it from a cold boot.
Any idea?
-Laurent.
*
From: "Kevin T. Houle" <kevinthoule@mac.com>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables
Subject: Re: PowerBook G3 long startup delays?
Message-id: <kevinthoule-AFEF24.22075810062001@ruti.visi.com>
Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2001 22:07:58 -0500
I had a very similar problem and it wasn't until I started up once with my CD module in the expansion bay that the startup time seemed normal. After talking to a local service provider and trying a different CD module and getting the same long startup delay, I determined it was a hardware (probably something on the motherboard) problem and would require shipping the Powerbook to Apple for repairs. Since my Wallstreet's warranty had expired, I never did send it in for repair.
I have a Pismo (Firewire) now and a Wallstreet that works perfectly well as long as there's no need for a CD.
-- Until next time...
Kevin T. kevinthoule@mac.com http://www.visi.com/~kevint
LCD Vertical Line
From: slavins@hearsay.demon.co.uk@localhost (Simon Slavin)Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables
Subject: Re: Pismo LCD vertical blue line
Date: Tue, 05 Jun 2001 23:19:14 +0100
Message-id: <B7431972966847AA4@0.0.0.0>
In article <sashazucker-0306010647240001@192.168.1.100>, sashazucker@earthlink.net (Sasha Zucker) wrote:
> The repair shop guys said the solution is a new $800 screen +
> labor.
Probably not. The display itself is connected to the motherboard via a ribbon cable. I suspect that either the cable is not making a good connection at one end, or that the cable itself may have been crushed and one of the lines in it broken. Replacing the cable is far cheaper than replacing the display.
As for flexing the screen, wrap a non-fibrous cloth around your hand and squeeze the screen lightly all around the edge. If you find a point where squeezing the screen makes things better or worse, explore that point further. Squeeze just hard enough to make a white area go light grey or yellow. It's safe to squeeze gently with something fluffy when the computer is turned-on.
Simon.
*
From: hbelkins@restrictorplates.mis.net (Elkins, H.B.)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables
Subject: Re: Pismo LCD vertical blue line
Date: Mon, 04 Jun 2001 13:59:12 GMT
Message-id: <3b1b9400.6995038@news.newsguy.com> Reply-To: hbelkins@restrictorplates.mis.net
I've got the same thing, only different -- a red vertical line on my less-than-a-year-old Lombard.
Guess I'll be taking it to the Apple service place to be fixed before my year runs out.
*
From: "jaap" <jaap@dircon.co.uk>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables
Subject: Re: Pismo LCD vertical blue line
Message-id: <HQuS6.22$C17.2049@news.dircon.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 03 Jun 2001 18:50:01 +0100
I had the same thing with my Wallstreet, and although I don't mean to depress you unnecessarily, in my case it only got worse; more lines appeared with time.
It's a physical-hardware-lcd-connection problem in your screen, so no amount of software-system fixing will do any good. Sorry, but if it gets worse, a new screen may be the only thing for it -unless you can find a genius who can fix the lcd connections. I couldn't...
*
From: sashazucker@earthlink.net (Sasha Zucker)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables
Subject: Re: Pismo LCD vertical blue line
Message-id: <sashazucker-0306011219380001@192.168.1.100>
Date: Sun, 03 Jun 2001 19:19:49 GMT
I'm not too depressed... I can live with a row of stripes, and I figure that if things get too bad, I'll donate the thing to charity, buy a new iBook and get the applecare warranty this time.
On, the other hand, I found an ftp site with every Mac Service manual you could want in PDF.
ftp://ftp.traffictrak.com/ServiceManuals
This ftp server is very, very slow, but I managed to download the Powerbook Firewire service manual.
Page 34 of the manual reads:
Partial or full row of pixels is always on or always off:
1. check display cable connection
2. In the U.S. contact Apple Technical Support
3. Replace display cable (international only).
4. Replace display (international only).
5. Replace I/O logic board.
well... option number 1 looks pretty reasonable and inexpensive. Question is: how do I convince a mac fixit type place to do this for me? Now that I have the service manual, I could try doing it myself... the instructions are pretty thorough. On the other hand, I could easily muck the machine up myself. Also, I have to go buy all the tools...
Anyone have any helpful thoughts?
thanks,
*
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables
Subject: Re: Pismo LCD vertical blue line
From: pfuchs@porkain'tkosher.oink (Paul Fuchs)
Message-id: <1euitiz.830nmt1rlcermN%pfuchs@porkain'tkosher.oink>
Date: Tue, 05 Jun 2001 12:47:05 GMT
I am not sure about this, but I think Apple uses the word "row" to refer to horizontal lines and "column" to refer to vertical lines. The top quarter of my pb180c went black years ago and it was caused by a beak of the metal inside the mylar ribbon. I was able to repair it.
--
Paul Fuchs pfuchs-at-worldnet-att-net Sitting on a small rock (St. John) in the Caribbean
1400 vs. 2400
From: Ben Sharvy <bsharvy@efn.org>Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables,comp.sys.mac.hardware.misc
Subject: 1400 vs. 2400
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2001 10:31:51 -0700
Message-id: <bsharvy-550C56.10315116062001@news.efn.org>
Are these equally fast, at a given megahertz?
Is there any significant difference between one of them G3-upgraded and one of the new (square) iBooks?
*
From: George Fowler <gfowler@mac.com>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables,comp.sys.mac.hardware.misc
Subject: Re: 1400 vs. 2400
Message-id: <gfowler-40C975.14414316062001@news1.mntp1.il.home.com>
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2001 19:41:43 GMT
A 2400 is two models newer than the 1400, and it is faster and better all around (except that the 1400 has the best keyboard of any Powerbook ever made).
I have a 1400 but use it only rarely, so I haven't wanted to upgrade. But one of my employees bought a new iBook, and it is one hell of an impressive machine!
*
From: "Tho X. Bui" <Blah@prodigy.net>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables,comp.sys.mac.hardware.misc
Subject: Re: 1400 vs. 2400
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2001 21:41:28 +0000
Message-id: <3B2BD284.F887DE33@prodigy.net> Reply-To: Blah@prodigy.net
"A.Lee" wrote:
> Sorry dont know that, but I think the 1400 is newer, so it may well have
> faster bus speed etc.
:-) No, that is not correct. The 1400 is nubus based, as I recall. the 2400 is pci based, and is at least as young as the 3400 if not younger. If the original poster wants a fast machine, the ibook it is. If he wants to know which of the older machines are more usable: it depends: the 2400 is faster and has better screen, but it does not have built in CD. It can take 80 Megs of ram max vs. 64 on the 1400.
Oh, the 1400 weighs around 7 lbs. the 2400 weighs around 4.5 lbs. I have used both, and made a good choice in choosing the 2400. I do occasionally lament the lack of a built-in cd player, however.
Tho
Titanium (Heat)
Message-id: <3B2EFCD1.B1DBF1C3@ns.sympatico.ca>From: Colin Fox <cfox@ns.sympatico.ca>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.system
Subject: Another Titanium question
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2001 07:18:52 GMT
Hi,
The book still gets hot (I think too hot) around the num lock key. Last night a small green light came on at the keyboard lock screw. The manual says nothing about this. Anyone know?
Thanks, COlin
*
Subject: Re: Another Titanium question
From: Leslie Bonser <lbonser@worldnet.att.net>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.system
Message-id: <B754B9C6.3F4D3%lbonser@worldnet.att.net>
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2001 15:06:33 GMT
The processor is under there. If you don't like the heat, turn down the processor speed in the Energy Saver control panel. That slows down the computer, but it seems to generate less heat.
*
From: Steve <jones948@YOUKNOWWHATTODO.hotmail.com>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.system
Subject: Re: Another Titanium question
Message-id: <jones948-791FEB.12064619062001@clmboh1-nws2.columbus.rr.com>
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2001 16:06:55 GMT
*
When I hit the Num Lock key, that turns on the green light by the lock screw. Maybe you hit the num lock key when you were feeling for the heat.
Steve
Power Manager
Welcome to the Tech Info Library (TIL), Apple's knowledgebase with product information, technical specifications, and troubleshooting information. The TIL is updated daily and contains over 14,000 articles. For older product info, search the TIL Archive.
TITLE
PowerBook and iBook: Resetting Power Manager
Article ID:
Created:
Modified: 14449
1/18/94
1/4/00
-------------------------------------------------
TOPIC
What is the Power Manager and is there a proper way to reset it for each type of PowerBook computer?
-------------------------------------------------
DISCUSSION
The Power Manager is an integrated circuit that is usually on the logic board of the PowerBook and iBook. As the name implies, it is responsible for power management of the PowerBook. It controls backlighting, hard disk spin down, sleep and wake, some charging aspects, trackpad control, and I/O as far as looking at the serial port and modem so it doesn't sleep when connected.
Over time, the settings in the Power Manager may become corrupted, which can result in operational anomalies with the PowerBook. Examples would be not powering on, not waking from sleep, not charging the battery, or not seeing the AC Adapter, among others.
Resetting the Power Manager is accomplished in a variety of ways depending upon the specific PowerBook model in use. These methods are described below.
WARNING: Resetting the Power Manager on any PowerBook computer will permanently remove a RAM disk, if present, and all of its contents.
PowerBook 100
1. Remove the AC adapter and the battery.
2. Flip the battery contact switch on the rear of the unit to the down position.
3. Let the unit sit without power hooked up for 3-5 minutes.
4. Simultaneously press and hold the rest and interrupt buttons on the side of the unit for 15 seconds.
5. Reinstall the battery, reconnect the AC adapter if necessary and flip the battery contact switch on the rear of the unit to the up position.
PowerBook 140, 145, 145 B and 170
1. Remove the AC Adapter and the battery.
2. Let the unit sit without power connected for 3-5 minutes.
3. Using two paper clips, simultaneously press and hold the reset and interrupt buttons for 5-10 seconds.
4. Reinstall the battery and, if necessary, reconnect the AC adapter.
Note: Both recessed buttons (commonly known as the reset and interrupt buttons) are located next to the power button on the back panel of the PowerBook.
PowerBook 150
1. Remove the power adapter and battery from unit.
2. Push the reset button in the back of the unit with a paper clip and hold for 5-10 seconds.
3. Plug the AC adapter into the AC (wall) outlet.
4. Reconnect the power adapter and push the reset button in back again, but just briefly. You should hear a small pop from the speaker; do not be concerned.
5. Push main power button in back (large exposed button). The unit should power up.
6. Apple suggests charging the battery for at least 8 hours before running on battery power.
If the PowerBook powers on, the battery may be reinserted. If it fails to start, the PowerBook may require service.
PowerBook 160, 165, or 180
1. Remove the AC adapter and the battery.
2. Let the unit sit without power connected for 3-5 minutes.
3. Reinstall the battery and, if necessary, reconnect the AC adapter.
Note: Steps 1 and 2 will usually reset the Power Manager, however if the computer still exhibits the same problem, redo steps 1 and 2 and then follow the step listed below before reinstalling the battery.
1. Using two paper clips, simultaneously press and hold down the reset and interrupt buttons for 5-10 seconds. They are located next to the power button on the back panel of the PowerBook.
PowerBook 500 series
1. Remove the AC adapter and the battery.
2. Let the unit sit without power hooked up for 3-5 minutes.
3. Simultaneously press and hold Command-Option-Control-Power On for 5-10 seconds.
4. Reinstall the battery and, if necessary, reconnect the AC adapter.
PowerBook 200 and 2300 Series
1. Press and hold the power button on the rear of the 200 or 2300 series computer for 30-45 seconds.*
2. (see Caution) If resetting the Power Manager chip does not solve the problem, reset the code for the Power Manager chip by removing all power sources and letting the unit sit for 10 minutes. (Disconnect the AC adapter, remove the battery and the internal backup battery.) This forces the PowerBook Duo to reload the Power Manager code from the system software.
**Caution** Apple-authorized service technicians may remove the internal back up battery to reset the Power Manager. If you are not an Apple-authorized service technician, please note that removing the internal backup battery is not a simple procedure and is not recommended. If anything is damaged in your attempt to remove the battery, it will not be covered under warranty.
PowerBook 190, 1400, 2400, 3400, 5300 Series, and PowerBook G3 (M3553):
The PowerBook 190, 1400, 3400, 5300 Series, and PowerBook G3 (M3553) have two different ways to reset the Power Manager. The only difference is the location of the reset button. See the table below for the location of the reset button on each PowerBook series.
PowerBook Reset Button Location (on rear of computer)
190 Series Below the video-out port
1400 Series Between the ADB and Serial ports
2400 Series Above the floppy drive connector
3400 Series & PowerBook G3
(M3553) Left of the Serial port
5300 Series Below the video-out port
Resetting the Power Manager
1. If the computer is on, turn it off.
2. Restart the computer by holding down the reset button for 10-20 seconds. (See chart above for location of the reset button for your PowerBook series.)
3. If the computer does not restart, repeat step 2 three or four times.
Resetting the Power Manager and PRAM
Resetting, or zapping, the parameter RAM (PRAM) when the computer is shut down also resets Power Manager. The following process resets both the Power Manager and the parameter RAM.
1. If the computer is on, turn it off.
2. Make sure the Caps Lock key is not down.
3. Restart the computer. Immediately after hearing the startup sound, simultaneously press and hold Command-Option-P-R. (If you do not hold down the key combination within 5-10 seconds after the computer restarts, you will need to repeat steps 1-3.)
4. Hold down the keys until you hear the startup sound again. Then release the keys.
5. If the computer shuts itself off, press the reset button on the back of the computer to turn it back on. (See chart above for location of the reset button for your PowerBook series.)
6. When the computer has finished starting up, restore any custom settings for the desktop pattern, memory, network, AppleTalk, trackpad, power conservation, and so forth.
PowerBook G3 Series (M4753)
1. If the computer is on, turn it off.
2. Simultaneously press Shift-Fn (function)-Ctrl (control)-power.
3. Wait 5 seconds.
4. Press the power button to restart the PowerBook.
PowerBook G3 Series (Bronze Keyboard) (M5343)
1. If the computer is on, turn it off.
2. Press the reset button on the rear of the computer. The reset button is located between the external video and modem (RJ-11) ports.
3. Wait 5 seconds
4. Press the power button to restart the PowerBook.
Note: When you reset the Power Manager, wait at least 5 seconds before using the power button to start up the computer. If you do not wait at least 5 seconds, the reset procdure may become corrupted. (If you suspect that the reset procedure was corrupted, press the reset button again and wait 5 seconds before pressing the power button.)
iBook
1. If the computer is on, turn it off.
2. Press the reset button located above the power button at the base of the display. You will need a small, blunt instrument such as a paper clip to press the button.
3. Wait 5 seconds
4. Press the power button to restart the iBook.
Note: The power manager reset on the iBook also resets the Date and Time. After the reset, the system clock will be set to 12:00 A.M., 01/01/1904.
PB 150
From: Remy Davison <pb5300NOSPAM@mac.com>Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables
Subject: Re: PB 150: need info, please!
Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2001 01:11:43 +1000
Message-id: <pb5300NOSPAM-796997.01114329062001@news.latrobe.edu.au>
In article <70e_6.354$uy5.12020@news1.mts.net>,
"Syd Baumel" <sgb@escape.ca> wrote:
>Hi all,
>
>I'm considering buying a PB 150 for a friend who needs it for word
>processing, email, and probably little or nothing else. Not being Mac savvy,
>I'm wondering if the 150's serial port (the only port it has, aside from a
>SCSI port) would accept an external Mac compatible modem (she has one)
>and/or a serial mouse? I'm told it can take a serial printer.
>
>One of the 150s I'm considering has an internal modem, but the seller
>apparently can't be bothered to dust it off, power it up, and find out how
>fast it is. Does anyone know if the optional modems in the 150s are likely
>to be slower than 14.4?
>
>Thanks in advance,
>Syd
The 150 had a 14.4 modem from memory.
You cannot plug in a mouse as the 150 (aside from the Duos) is the only pre-1999 PowerBook not to have an ADB port!
External modem will work fine, up to 56K.
Companies like New Motion <www.newmotion.com.tw> sell cheap serial breakout boxes so you connect two (or more) serial devices, like a printer and modem at one time. Saves unplugging.
The only mouse solution I can think of is to get a serial mouse adapter, probably from New Motion again, so you could use, say, a PC OS/2 mouse with it. Damn nuisance that. The 2-bit screen (literally), no ADB port and oddball IDE hard drive is why the 150 ranks as my Worst PowerBook of All Time. Having said that, it does have a 33MHz 68030, takes 40MB RAM and will run, say Claris/AppleWorks and Eudora Light 3.0 or Word 5.1 pretty reasonably.
My advice would be to go for a PowerBook 190 or 500 series (nice, fast 68040 processors) which go for very little money on ebay and elsewhere. As a first machine, if it really needs to be portable, I'd recommend the 190cs or 5300c or cs, due to their larger colo(u)r display and its very cheap batteries (500 series batteries cost a fortune).
More here:
<www.macpowerbook.com>
Cheers,
RD
--
RD's PowerBook Page: <www.macpowerbook.com> Contributing Editor, Insanely-Great Mac <http://www.insanely-great.com> Please remove NOSPAM from email address before replying directly.
*
From: younkin@oz-online.net (Terry Younkin)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables
Subject: Re: PB 150: need info, please!
Message-id: <younkin-2906011647540001@clay-056036.oz-online.net>
Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2001 16:47:53 -0500
>The 150 had a 14.4 modem from memory.
However, the modem to watch for is an internal Supra 28.8, flash upgradeable to 36.6. I have one of these in my main PB 150, and it is super good.
You do not need a mouse. The trackball is great ...IMHO it is better than the current trackpads. The screen is greyscale; it is not "black and white". I do not miss the lack of ADB at all. The poor 150 gets bad marks constantly, but for what you said you want to do with it, it's perfect.
The hard drive is NOT oddball. SCSI is what is oddball now. You can pick up super cheap IDE drives for these things. I run Apple ROM IBM 1GB drives in mine. It's more than enough room. Remember, the 150 has built-in formatting software.
Anyone who calls this the "Worst PowerBook" either never used one, or does not stop to think what is good about them. I think this started with Dan Knight of Low End Mac ...he considers them a road apple. But... for a 1xx series PB, it's damn fast. It's small and light. This matters, and to me it matters a lot. It's easy to get open and fool with. Considering that you will almost certainly have to replace the PRAM battery, this matters. It has less "stuff" to screw up. It is built like a tank.
Dirt cheap. Buy two. One thing you need to find is a PB 150 that has more than the factory standard 4MB RAM. The main thing you'll need is the little adapter board that allows you to use Duo RAM. By the way, a 150 can take tons of RAM ...unlike other 1xx series PB's. Find a 16 or 20MB Duo RAM card and you are good to go.
No ADB, true. I've never missed it. There's a Japanese site that tells how to add ADB, but it's pretty hairy to do it.
If you aren't real good with mechanical things, I'd stay away from 5xx series PB's due to the fact that you are going to need to replace the PRAM battery in them. It isn't much fun.
I run OS 7.6.1 on my PB 150's. I use the newest Netscape you can run, Claris Emailer, Word, Excel, the newest Tex-Edit Plus, Nisus Compact, etc. The machine still allows me to do business on the web, including accessing my bank account, make purchases, etc. I drag mine all over the country ...even offshore on oil rigs. I love 'um.
*
From: Remy Davison <pb5300NOSPAM@mac.com>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables
Subject: Re: PB 150: need info, please!
Date: Sun, 01 Jul 2001 00:47:29 +1000
Message-id: <pb5300NOSPAM-8C8BCC.00472901072001@news.latrobe.edu.au>
In article <younkin-2906011647540001@clay-056036.oz-online.net>,
younkin@oz-online.net (Terry Younkin) wrote:
> The screen is greyscale; it is not "black and white".
2-bit is four grays; 1 bit is B&W. It's a dreadful murky screen though. Tried running TechTool 2x on it? Doesn't work with 2-bit screens. The passive displays on the 160/165 and the 520 and 5300 (grayscale) are far superior. RAM aside, you'd take a 180, surely, over a 150 (AM display, full set of ports, video out).
I agree that the IDE is handy, although MCE sell very large IDE|SCSI 2.5" drives for SCSI PBs which're damn fast as well. But if you want a big IDE drive, buy a 190 or a 5300. And Apple will repair/replace certain parts of those models for FREE until 2003. Apple will no longer even service the 150 (EOLed).
>Anyone who calls this the "Worst PowerBook" either never used one, or does
>not stop to think what is good about them.
Had one on a loaner, actually. Hated it. Just couldn't be a desktop replacement, whereas many of its predecessors could. Bought an LC575 instead. Dan doesn't dump on 150s; his wife has one and he mailed me saying I was too hard on it a year or two ago.
[snip]
*
From: younkin@oz-online.net (Terry Younkin)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables
Subject: Re: PB 150: need info, please!
Message-id: <younkin-3006011345560001@clay-056034.oz-online.net>
Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2001 13:45:54 -0500
If the only issue was the screen, well then yes. The whole point I make about the 150 is it has a purpose ...the other PowerBooks likewise. However, sometimes less is more (...stolen from Opera Software).
> Apple will no longer
>even service the 150 (EOLed).
Correct. Further, the 150's ROM hard drive formatting will not (as far as I've ever seen) allow you to make partitions.
I think the whole road apple deal comes from folks comparing the little 150 to desktop machines. To me, that's just missing the idea. The thing was never intended to be that. For my usage, it's like a super-Palm. In fact, I kind of have to chuckle at folks that go out and spend $$$ on a Palm-type device ...I do better with old PB's.
I remember Dan saying that his wife ran a business on an old 150, and only recently replaced it. I like my 150's, but I don't know as I'd try that.
*
From: joerg.spix@informatik.uni-oldenburg.de
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables
Subject: Re: PB 150: need info, please!
Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2001 02:10:14 +0200
Message-id: <200106280210149077@hendrix.spixnet.nom>
Syd Baumel <sgb@escape.ca> wrote:
Hi,
> I'm wondering if the 150's serial port (the only port it has, aside from a
> SCSI port) would accept an external Mac compatible modem (she has one)
> and/or a serial mouse? I'm told it can take a serial printer.
Yes. One or the other at a time. But if (for any reason) you have enabled Appletalk (which is via the "printer port" if you do not have an external SCSI-to-ethernet box) you need to disable it (in the Chooser), probably restart the machine (depending on the MacOS version) to get access to the modem port. Both, modem and printer port, share the same connector and an active port may block the other one. I have used several external modems with 1x0-series powerbooks, this is no problem. For a mouse it would be better to find an ADB-Mouse for a Mac. They are cheap if you can find them used, because this port is not built into the actual machines and will not return. You CAN find a driver for a serial mouse somewhere in the archives as I remember, but better use the serial port for better things than a mouse. At least you should not use a serial mouse if you are running on batteries. This would shorten your run time. You can use any ADB-Mouse even if Apple says, that you need a special low power ADB-device. But this might shorten the run time on batteries a bit.
Joerg
-- (joerg.spix@informatik.uni-oldenburg.de)
*
From: Tom Cornell <tvcornel@mindspring.com>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables
Subject: Re: PB 150: need info, please!
Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2001 19:27:51 -0500
Message-id: <3B3A7A06.6A098B11@mindspring.com>
Syd,
You can visit the Apple web site and view specs on older machines. The PB160 I had contained a 9600 baud modem. Rather slow by today's standards.
MacTom
Pismo v. Titanium
From: Ben Sharvy <bsharvy@efn.org>Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables
Subject: Re: Pismo or Ti?
Date: Thu, 05 Jul 2001 14:13:58 -0700
Message-id: <bsharvy-7CC78B.14135805072001@news.efn.org>
The standard wisdom seems to be that the difference between G4 and G3 is insignificant, except in certain apps: Photoshop is one of those apps.
*
Subject: Re: Pismo or Ti?
From: Chris Adams <chris@improbable.org>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables
Message-id: <B76A15D8.338C%chris@improbable.org>
Date: Thu, 05 Jul 2001 20:02:18 GMT
I'd recommend the TiBook if you plan on using OS X, as it uses Altivec pretty heavily - my 400Mhz Ti is noticeably faster than a 500Mhz iBook there (the TiBook's 100Mhz system bus helps, too). Under OS 9, the Pismo or iBook will probably be faster for many apps. OTOH, since you mentioned Photoshop, if you use the filters that support Altivec, the G4 will probably be a better choice.
I'd hold off buying one, though, if you don't need it immediately. Rumors & Apple's new CD-RW bundle (typically done near EOL) suggest that the current TiBooks will be phased out in favor of a new version. It seems like faster processors and video cards are likely and it's almost certain that they'll include some flavor of DVD/CD-RW, since Apple usually doesn't let their consumer models have a major advantage over the pro ones for very long.
Chris
*
Subject: Re: Pismo or Ti?
From: Chris Adams <chris@improbable.org>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables
Message-id: <B76A6C39.3512%chris@improbable.org>
Date: Fri, 06 Jul 2001 02:10:49 GMT
in article B76A4A3B.42C%drshearon@earthlink.net, Dale Shearon at drshearon@earthlink.net wrote on 2001-07-05 16:46:
> If Ti supports an
> extended desktop, does the book need to be in one of the "square" resolution
> settings to work with a 640X480 aspect ratio monitor? I am assuming that the
> monitor and book would need to be set to the same resolution.
Not for an extended desktop - I was running mine at the native 1152x768 on the LCD and 1280x1024 on my monitor. If you turn on video mirroring, then it will adjust the PowerBook's display to compensate.
G3 AC Adaptor
From: "Daniel Fischer" <dan@gueldenland.de>Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables
Subject: Re: Powerbook G3 Series AC Adaptor plug problem. Help!
Date: Thu, 05 Jul 2001 08:22:03 +0200
Message-id: <20010705.082202.1858881207.12579@gueldenland.de
"Rick" <rik123@wwc.com> wrote:
> Hello,
> I own the Powerbook G3 Series and just recently I have begun taking it
> on the road with me. Now what has happened is the ac adaptor plug in the
> back has come a little loose and will only work if bent at a slight
> angle. I am pretty handy with a solder gun so I proceeded to take apart
> my powerbook. However, after removing all the screws, the bottom still
> would not come off and I don't want to break it. Is there any step by
> step instructions on how to get to this ac adaptor port? I don't want to
> go thru apple because I haven't won the lottery yet and it seems like a
> simple fix. Thanks for any advice.
Hi
I had the exact same problem with my Pismo series PowerBook G3. First, my PB would show the exact same behavior as what you wrote and some day the AC adaptor completely stopped working. I, also, thought it was the plug in that was loose. However, I found that I encountered absolutely no problems with a different adaptor, so I used that one for a while. After about two months, it also stopped working.
Until now, I have had 4 adaptors (two Apple ones and two smaller ones from some third party company) show exactly the same behavior, always about two months after I started using them, so I finally looked into it.
Here is what I found: All of the adaptors where actually working, and so is my PB. However, all of those four adaptors cables were somewhat tinted yellowish-black right behind the plug. This got me curious, so I cut one of the plugs off and had a look at the cable from the inside. Well, to shorten a long story, with all of my four adaptors I found that the inner isolation of the cable had molten and produced a permanent short-circuit. Apparently, my PowerBook gets too hot and the standard isolation used by Apple and that third-party company I mentioned isnt up to it.
I have not yet found a generic solution that keeps me from buying new adaptors every two months. Currently, I am using a cable without any isolation at all in that place. Where there is no isolation, it cant melt ;) It is clear to me that my solution is not an optimal one but someone with a little more knowledge could probably do better.
> Rik
Daniel
-- Daniel Fischer, <dfischer@gmx.de> Dan@Gueldenland, telnet gl.mud.de 4444 - http://gl.mud.de/
*
Subject: Re: Powerbook G3 Series AC Adaptor plug problem. Help!
From: Kilon <kl@kilon.com>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables
Message-id: <040720012119113453%kl@kilon.com>
Date: Thu, 05 Jul 2001 04:19:12 GMT
Do yourself a favor and go here:
http://www.traffictrak.com/ServiceManuals/
- kl
Miscellaneous
Message-ID: <3B15233E.E4EBB90E@att.net>From: Dick Veldhuis <sharonveldhuis@att.net>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc
Subject: Re: Glue for cracked Pismo case?
Date: Wed, 30 May 2001 16:43:43 GMT
I have a Duo 2300c with several cracks. I tried several different glues and finally ended up with "Household Goop." It isn't pretty, but it works.
Good luck,
Dick Veldhuis
Charles Eicher wrote:
> I just dropped my PowerBook G3/500 on its corner, it is OK except a small piece
> of plastic cracked and broke off on the corner. I have the piece, and I could
> glue it back on, it's in an easy spot to access, right behind the expansion bay
> release lever. But what sort of glue would be appropriate for these plastics?
> What kind of plastic is the Pismo case made from, and what glue will bind it?
> It's a minor cosmetic defect, but I think I can repair it back to near-original
> condition if I can find the right glue.
***
Subject: Re: Is iTunes not compatible with a G3 Series PowerBook Rev 2?
From: <kl@kilon.com>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables
Message-id: <210620011803082729%kl@kilon.com>
Date: Fri, 22 Jun 2001 01:03:08 GMT
In article <gnelsonsmith-0BD7CB.23370920062001@taliesin.netcom.net.uk>, Greg Smith <gnelsonsmith@mindspring.com> wrote:
> I have tried time and again, reinstalled iTunes, deleted SoundJam and all of its
> components. I cannot get iTunes to encode a CD track on my PowerBook (PDQ).
>
> The Import button is dimmed and using the menu command to import is met with
> an error message. My desktop G3 works fine. Is the fact that my CD drive is
> removable in the PowerBoook have something to do with it?
>
> Is there anyone out there using a G3 Series PowerBook Rev 2 (1998 model) with
> iTunes and successfully ripping MP3s with it?
This is a problem with the hard drive. If you extract audio, you corrupt the drive.
Be glad they are dimming the button because I have lost my drive twice to this problem.
Apparently, if you upgrade your hard drive, you get back this function.
- kl
***
Subject: Re: Dual Displays
From: "Dr. Raman Sinha" <dr_sinha@mac.com>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.portables
Message-id: <B7691C61.BE2%dr_sinha@mac.com>
Date: Thu, 05 Jul 2001 00:17:51 GMT
in article B768FAFF.5E8%thurston@earthling.nospammm.net, IanCT at thurston@earthling.nospammm.net wrote on 7/4/01 6:55 PM:
> I just got an iBook Dual USB, and I was wondering if it supports dual
> displays. Is there a driver I have to download to enable it, or is it as
> simple as a control panel setting? I didn't see anything describing such a
> setup in Control Panels.
>
> I saw it on a display with a PowerBook, so I assume it's only a feature with
> the PB, but you'd think it'd be a part of the OS.
This is hardware related - your video card is not capable of doing 2 separate desktops - only mirroring.
The only way you'd be able to do dual desktops is if your video card was capable of it and Apple was hiding you being able to access that feature thru software or simple hardware modification.
Sorry. This is one feature that will swing people to powerbook vs. ibook.
-Raman
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