On Friday, June 17, 2005, at 08:33AM, Darren <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>Thomas Burns wrote: > >> A couple questions. >> I'm trying to turn a 7500 into a little media center mainly just >> playing iTunes or internet radio. >> Specs on the 7500: >> Currently running 8.6 with a 2gb HD and 512mb ram and a sonnet >> crescendo 450mhz upgrade >> >> Can I do the following... >> >> 1. Install 10.2 or 10.3 (I just bought a copy of 9.0 and assume I can >> use Xpostfacto, has anyone done this?) >> 2. Install a wireless card? >> 3. Have the S-video out display on the TV? >> 4. Use a bluetooth keyboard or mouse after putting a USB card in? >> >> 5. Related question, does Airport Express extend the range of a >> (non-Airport) wireless router? > > >You have this list confused with the pci-mac list where you will find >folks to help with your questions. > >1. 9.0 is fine on the 7500, Xpostfacto should allow you to upgrade to >9.2.2 atleast. XPostFacto allows installation of OS X 10.0 up to 10.3.9 on unsupported hardware. Darren, you may be confusing it with OS 9 Helper from OS9forever.com which allows installation of 9.2.2 on older machines (I've used OS 9 Helper on my 3400c Powerbook and it works flawlessly). I personally only use it on the 3400c because I can't install OS X. I don't recommend using it unless you intend to actually use OS 9, 9.1 will work fine for everything bar a few apps and also work as a Classic OS in OS X also. >I dont see a problem getting X onto it. Nope, OS X on a PCI Powermac ain't a problem, I have 10.3.9 running happily on a 9600. Only things to look out for are XPostFacto is not the most straight forward thing to do, especially with 10.3.x. Also SCSI gremlins on old PCI machines can sometimes mess with OS X a bit. When I ran 10.1 on a 7300 a few years back I had to juggle the SCSI a bit because what worked fine under 9.1 crashed OS X at boot. It's a bit of a mission to get it working on some configurations, but once done it's very rewarding and with a decent CPU (my 9600 is only running a G3/300 and is fine) and your demands minimal) OS X glides along nicely. >2. Got any pci slots empty? Check compatibility with the OS you settle for. Wireless is a bit of a weirdo on PCI only machines. Easiest way is via OS X and a 3rd Party Driver. Either choose a company that has OS X drivers for a PCI wireless card, or locate a 3rd Party Driver like that by www.ioxperts.com and a supported card. You can either go for a PCI card or a PCI cradles and a PCMCIA card. >3. I've flashed a few ATI cards for the powermac, the 7000 and above >have s-video out and support for OS9.2 and above. My 9600 has a Rage 128GL and it's a bit sluggish when hurling windows about but if it's a media center your screen res will be low (for the TV). Radeon PCI cards are nicer, smoother running the OS X GUI and have your required TV Out connector. >4. Install a USB card first of all, then any good USB keyboard and mouse will work. I'd go for non-bluetooth wireless. Apple's bluetooth setup has problems with a laggy mouse (I have had this verified with an Apple consultant who has had the problem with all the machines he's used them with), plus the more steps you take out of the system the better. >5. dont now. I think it does. I know it will link into existing wireless setups so I can't see how it wouldn't. My recommendations as far as storage go are to find an OS X compatible ATA PCI card that supports booting OS X and buy a new Seagate or Maxtor hard disk - be aware however that ATA/66 and ATA/100 only support up to 120GB. ATA/133 supports larger drives. You will need space for music and videos and stuff anyway, so get a big drive. both manufacturers mentioned make very fast, quiet drives. Partition off 15GB for OS X, 1GB for OS 9 (in case of emergencies) and leave the rest for media. Junk the old 2GB SCSI drive. They are whiney and too small to be of any practical use on such a system. It's only just possible to fit OS X on a 2GB drive - I've done it but with very little room to spare. -- Mark Benson http://homepage.mac.com/markbenson -- Vintage Macs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Enter To Win A | -- Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras start at $299 | Free iBook! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> Vintage Macs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/vintagemacs.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/vintage.macs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> iPod Accessories for Less at 1-800-iPOD.COM Fast Delivery, Low Price, Good Deal www.1800ipod.com
