Hi there, just found this e-mail list today. I've read the entire archives for both the Power Computing and PCI-Power Mac. I've also browsed the web a little bit to learn a few basics. I have never owned a MAC OS computer before. I worked with a MacSE and a LW when I was working for a printer a few years back, but thats the only exposure I've had. That was System 5 or 6, I think. This PowerTowerPro was sitting on the ground at the Transfer and recycling Station. It looked like a high-end PC and I grabbed it to take it home and check it out. I thought maybe I could set someone up with a starter PC.
When I found out it was a Mac clone I thought maybe I would go ahead and keep it awhile so I could explore the Mac world. Problem is, it came with no disks. The system boots to OS 7.5.3L. I have downloaded some manuals from the Apple support web site but I am concerned about making any changes to the system without any backup fo the system software and the applications that are on the disk (Claris Works, NOW Utilities, NOW Contacts, Quickbooks). There is no upgrade to G3/G4, Standard PTP 225, the Ram is 16MB, 2.0 Gb Hard Disk, Ethernet 10-base-T, and the Video card has two connectors, one presumably Apple-style, the other standard VGA. There was a keyboard but no mouse. I found a Mac mouse in town and hooked it up. I found I couldn't do anything without the mouse! Once I got the mouse hooked up I was able to explore the OS. The system was crashing on bootup but I figured out how to disable the NOW Toolbox extension and it now completes the boot. But the NOW menu system does not work and I keep getting an error from the Adobe fonts and the Launcher error -39 (I have no idea yet how to fix these errors). >From reading the internet I think I would like to attempt an upgrade to OS 8.6 or maybe 9.1.1. But I am afraid to attempt anything before I get a backup disk. This system uses SCSI internal and external. I only have IDE drives laying around (I have lots of PC's and PC parts) so I guess I have to decide whether to buy a SCSI drive or an adapter that can allow me to use the IDE drives. But I don't even know if the OS 7.5.3 I have will support IDE drives. How about a SCSI ZIP drive? I have lots of ZIP drives and disks but they are all IDE or USB. I would like to clean up the hard disk and run a complete diagnostic on the disk. There are some files I won't use and don't need. I tried to run the Disk Diagnostic but it wouldn't let me run it on the System disk. It did tell me the disk needs repair. I don't want to reformat the drive because I want to keep the application software and I don't have any original disks. Can you all tell me if the following plan for an upgrade makes sense? Anything I am missing? 1. Buy new disk that can be used to backup the existing hard disk. 2. Back up the current system hard disk. 3. Run Disk repair and cleanup the disk. 4. Buy an upgrade CD for OS 8.6 or OS 9.1 5. Buy a PCI USB and FW adapter card 6. Hookup to Internet Router through the Ethernet RJ45 connector 7. Commence exploring the Low-End-Mac world Where do I find a good SCSI drive to use as my backup? Does 8.6 or 9.1 come with a web Browser? If I were to consider upgrading the daughter card to a G3 or G4 processor how much can I expect it to cost? I would like to keep the expense under $300. Seems I can but an iMac for about that on e-bay. But being a PC guy I like the form factor of this PTP. Finally, will I be able to integrate the Mac into my LAN? As a web server? Thanks for any input you may have. Sean Kennedy -- Power Computing is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... 123Inkjets.com <http://lowendmac.com/ad/123inkjets.html> Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> Power Computing list info: <http://lowendmac.com/power/list.html> --> 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]> List archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/powercomputing%40mail.maclaunch.com/> iPod Accessories for Less at 1-800-iPOD.COM Fast Delivery, Low Price, Good Deal www.1800ipod.com
