Hi, I just finished upgrading the G3 400MHz slot loading iMac. I used OS X 10.3 Panther with 512MB RAM. It is much easier to work on than the tray loader. The tray loader has the RAM internally. It is a brute to get to and work on; however, if you upgrade the RAM you may as well go for the hard drive too. I believe it Maxs its RAM at 512MB unlike the slot-loaders that can go to 1GB - not that you really need more than 512MB.
Here is the guide I used. It is from Apple and is mostly accurate for most iMacs: http://www.scribd.com/doc/103447/iMac-G3-Disassembly-Guide While you have the iMac open, replace the battery; consider upgrading the CD-ROM to either a CD-RW or a DVD-ROM but not all that necessary. Definitely upgrade the hard drive. I used a 5400rpm 40GB WD hard drive. A 7200rpm will work but it runs hotter and the imac has no fan - so stick with 5400rpm drives. You can use larger hard drives - 80GB or 120GB - but external firewire enclosure can be worthwhile. Good luck upgrading. Bob On Sep 13, 2009, at 10:46 AM, Pizzaboy192 wrote: > > I am a PC person, and I'd just like to get that out there... > I purchased 2 iMacs at a garage sale yesterday for $25 combined, one > is a tray loading G3 the other is a Blueberry 350mhz Slot loading one. > The Tray Loading iMac is the one I am tempted to upgrade first, and > I've got a bucket (literally) of PC-100 and PC-133 So-DIMM ram (up to > 512mb a piece) and a few IDE hdds that could be used to up the HDD > space if i'm tempted. > One of these machines will be sent to my parents in another state for > them to use to retrieve their old documents from the early 90's and > transfer them VIA usb to the PC platform. > I haven't gotten my hands on a USB floppy drive yet, but I know where > to find them for about $1 a piece, so that isn't the issue, > I want to upgrade this Mac for my dad to use, but I can't for the life > of me find out how to upgrade the thing. there isn't an access panel > for the Ram like the BlueBerry has... > > Also, while i'm in there, what kind of optical drive connector does it > use, and what can I replace it with? I've got a box of old Laptop > optical drives to use and was thinking that would be the best way to > start (with a DVD\CD-RW drive) > > on a side note, what other updgrades can I do to these machines? (both > do not have FireWire) > > -Christian > > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are a member of the iMac Group, a group for those using Apple iMacs and eMacs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/imac/list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/imaclist -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
