Hi,
I got an indigo/purple iMac 266mhz for free from school, which is currently running OS X v10.2. OS X can sometimes freeze on bootup, but fairly rarely. I now have Final Cut Pro 3 which i sourced from school, and i'm wanting to make this computer film dedicated without breaking the bank.

I had no intention of originally purchasing an imac, but when this offer came up i took it. I assume that a memory upgrade would be good to help stop it locking up (is there a shortcut key i heard about to unlock?). Is it possible to just insert more of the same memory, because there are still a couple of wrecked computers at school i could pilfer some memory from.

When i try and render or export in FCP3, it always runs out of space, and on the odd occasion locks up here too. Is it an easy job, with basic computer knowledge, to install a new hard disc, and must they be Mac specific? Also, as i'd rather not go and purchase a newer model imac (which really wouldn't be very expensive), is there any processor replacements or updates available.

I am on the northern beaches of Sydney, if anyone can advise me of shops to try.

cheers, Lewis

I would recommend the following:

1. More RAM - at least 512Mb. Any PC-100/133 ram will work (try and match the size of the sicks if possible)
2. Bigger Faster HDD. I think 80Gb is cheap and suite the older iMacs as a start. Any PATA drive will work once it is re-formatted to HFS+
3. Clean re-install of OSX

I just finished doing the same with my iMac 500Mhz and it works amazingly well. A 266Mhz would be a lot slower but it seems you are aware of that fact and are just after stability so it should work fine if you run one app at a time.

grab all the old 'puters the school has, there may be other parts there you can use.

Ram is simple to install, there is a door on the bottom of the machine. I don't know what the max amount of ram your 'puter can recognise, probably 512mb, but put at least that much into the machine. Others here will tell you freezes on macs are usually due to incorrectly installed ram, so just take you time and make sure its in properly. Try not to touch the contacts. While there is theoretically a max. amt of ram your 'puter will recognise, I have seen an eMac running twice as much ram as it was supposed to be able to support, so 'suck it and see' ie, try as much ram as you can find, as OSX LOVES (needs) ram. Ram is the cheapest upgrade you can do to any 'puter.

HDDs are a little bit more complicated, but with care you can install one in about 45-60 minutes with no experience. The important thing is to install it on a hard floored surface (wood, concrete, lino, NOT carpet) to avoid static. And discharge yourself by touching some metal on the 'puter (NOT THE LOGIC BOARD!). The only tools you need are a philips head and a small flat head screwdriver.

HDDs are generic, you can install any one in an iMac PROVIDED its 5400rpm (I have been told by apple techs that 7200rpm overheat the iMacs and kill them). Basically 5400rpm HDDs are hard to get new, so you will need to buy a 2nd hand one (lucky for you price wise). There is a theoretical HDD size limit on your iMac of 128gb, but there are ways around this, I have a 250gb 5400rpm HDD in an iMac 600DV that recognises all the drive.

As to other upgrades, go external. Consider an external dvd burner and an external hdd. Don't buy brand stuff, find the cheapest cases you can at a white box PC retailer and buy the bits second hand, they are easy to install and USB is universal (duh!).

You will need the service manual for your 'puter, get it here:

http://www.whoopis.com/computer_repair

have fun. Remember to stand on a hard floor!

sao

PS DON'T TOUCH THE CRT! YOU CAN OPEN THE 'PUTER WITHOUT GOING NEAR IT AND DON'T EVEN BE TEMPTED TO HAVE A QUICK LOOK, LOTS OF ELECTRICITY, EVEN WHEN ITS BEEN TURNED OFF FOR A WHILE.

Hahahah I have a 7200Rpm drive in my iMac and it is screaming, made a more difference in performance than adding extra RAM.

Bit hot though :P Maybe it makes sense now.


BTW i used the excellent iMac HDD replacement guide from this site.

cheers guys,
All the macs at school are identical to mine (bar new ones still in use) But i should be able to get another 128mb from them for free, i just hope theres multiple slots.

I installed OS X myself. it was 8.6 when i got it, so its a fairly fresh install.

no worries, PM me if you need any help installing the stuff. iMacs have 2 RAM slots under the door underneath. Just need a coin to open it.

the techs at Infinite Systems in Brisbane are my source for HDD advice, I have not tried, as I said I have a 250gb 5400rpm drive in mine.

You can also email me if you need to, I will be in Sydney this weekend though (may even get the the Nth Beaches, which is where I grew up).

sao

your iMac should use PC100 sodimms for ram. PC100 and PC133 are interchangable, but not always a good idea to mix them up, ie use either PC100 or PC133 in both slots. This type of ram is used in all older laptops (that I know off anyway), so it should be easy to source some 2nd hand 256mb sticks, and it may even be possible to get 512.

Also, with that amount of ram don't run 10.4 (ducks abusive responses). 10.3 is simply faster with limited ram.

As to processor upgrades, I understand that the cpu is hardwired onto the logic board. You should be able to install any logic board up to a 333 into your 'puter, which you can pik up for <$40 on ebay, but research this first to make sure. If you can, do this all your other bits 'n' pieces, (ram, hdd etc) would stay the same.

sao

Uh, fellas, he's got a 266Mhz imac. You know, the old ones. Came with a 4 gig HD or something. The ones that chug along on OS9. The RAM slots lie one above and one below the removable processor card which lies horizontal to the logic board. It has a removable Mass Storage Unit which houses everything from the cd rom, HD, logic board, modem etc. I believe you all think he has a later model imac judging by your posts.

That machine would be hard pressed running OS 10.1 let alone FCP.

btw, the larger ram chip must go on the lower slot of the processor card, so then you gotta think about removing the card very delicately... take care if you proceed, but you might want to sell it and purchase a later model machine.

it's currently running os X 10.2 and FCP runs

Ahh my bad

http://www.apple-history.com/?page=gallery...=date&order=ASC

Only upgradeable to 256Mb or RAM - this may be a problem running OSX and FCB with any stability.

I really think you'll be pushing it to run FCP 3 on a 266Mhz iMac - they're great little machines, but you'll find it hard to run any realtime features at all, and without a firewire port on the machine it'll make things more difficult too. But if you're happy with how it's going now, then by all means spend a few $$$ on it to make it even better. At the absolute minimum, I'd sell the iMac and get a B&W G3.

And yes, you'll need to remove the entire motherboard to get access to the processor/RAM card - make sure it's double-sided RAM for anything over 256MB. Max RAM on first generation iMacs is 512MB (2 x 256MB). The hard disk is also located in this chassis.

JB

I know it's running, but I guarantee it's running like crap. Just thought I'd better pop my 2 cents in because you were getting the wrong information about the machine you have. Is this your first mac and have you done disassembly work before?

edit: even the ram specs are all wrong. they have a different machine in mind.

Edit again: and no you don't have to remove the whole "mother" board to remove the processor card. You do have to remove the MSUnit which is a sinch.

everyone has to start sometime at disassembling a 'puter. I said read the manual, read the manual and then read it again. I said where to get the manual. I mention basic safety stuff. I discussed ram and seating it correctly. I discussed HDDs and the limitations of the iMacs.
hdkiller you are absolutely correct, I have not worked on these machines, as I only have later models, but I still say, have a go, what can happen (assuming you are careful)?

sao

I am an avid "have a go" kind of guy. I have no quarrell with anyone here least of all you antechinus55, but please tell me if I'm out of line, I have probably stepped on some toes today, perhaps briused an ego here or there. I know that my wording can get a bit agressive at times but I don't think that's quite happened yet and am careful not to let it. (being a forum, it is hard to judge words sometimes)

I only thought it very beneficial for the OP that he get the correct information to save him trouble later on, perhaps buying parts he doesn't need.