Hi Monique, I just read one of your posts in the pci-powermacs list. I too have a 7500. I just upgraded it to a 500Mhz G3 processor from Sonnet and I'm very happy. I noticed a HUGE speed increase. Before doing the install successfully though, I did quite a bit of homework, so maybe what I learned will help you. This is what I discovered:
1) G4 processors are actually not as fast as the G3 processors in the 7500, due to the PCI technology or something. I can't remember exactly why, but the design of the 7500 motherboard gets better results with the G3 processors. So, stick with your G3. 2) Processor upgrades are very very memory sensitive. You must have very high-quality and newer ram installed. You must NOT interleave your memory (more on this below). The memory chips must be installed in matching sets. It's safe to assume with a newer, faster processor, you will need more memory than you had before. I went from 144MB of interleaved memory, with virtual memory on to 320MB of non-interleaved memory with virtual memory OFF. My memory is installed like this: B1 and B2 have matching brand new 128MB modules from Sonnet; B3 and B4 have matching 32MB modules (not brand new but purchased three years ago) from NewerTech. That's it. 3) The G3 sonnet cards can work with OS X, if you purchase the application/driver package from them that allows your computer to take advantage of altivec-enhanced software. This costs about $30 bucks and can be downloaded from their site. I'm running OS 9.1 and I'm happy with that for now. I'm a little hesitant to go to OS X just yet, as I'm a designer and many of the apps I use are still working out the OS X bugs. Plus, with OS X running, I know my whole system will have to work a lot harder. It seems so happy right now. But eventually I'll upgrade. 4) If you're missing software for your card, I believe you can download what you need, along with the full manual in PDF format from Sonnet's website. (If you can't, I'll burn a CD and send it to you... let me know) 5) In the manual that came with my G3 upgrade, it says that apple system profiler will not report accurate disk speed. When you intall the sonnet upgrade driver software, it also installs an app called Metronome. This app will accurately report your new disk speed, according to the Sonnet manual. However, I just checked my Apple system profiler and it accurately reports my disk's speed. Maybe once you install the correct upgrade card software, I bet all your problems will disappear. 6) When I first had a problem installing my upgrade card, I emailed sonnet's tech support. The next day, I received a very friendly and helpful email that solved my problem (along with helpful posts from this mail-list). Sonnet is a very reputable company, and even though you didn't buy your card directly from them, I believe they stand behind their products. I'm sure if you send them an email describing your situation in detail, you will get the assistance and direction you need. 6) The comments by the other posters about the L2 cache card are exactly correct. You need to remove it. The manual Sonnet provides has a very good picture of where it's located. In the 7500, it's a slightly shorter slot that has white plastic around it, and it's inbetweeen your memory slots A3 and A4. Take it out if it's there. Mine was already out for some reason. 7) Don't listen to some of the boneheads that post useless blabber on the list. :) Hope I helped. Let me know what happens. I'm so happy with my new upgrade, I'm hoping you feel the same way soon. Tamara -- PCI-PowerMacs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Sonnet & PowerLogix Upgrades - start at $169 | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> PCI-PowerMacs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/pci-powermacs.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive:<http://www.mail-archive.com/pci-powermacs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
