Creative uses for a dead g4 mac

Libertine2002

Hi guys,

I have an old G4 tower that won't work (startup disk is fooked). I've managed to salvage the monitor and use it as extra screen real-estate for my MacPro but just wondering if anyone knows if I can salvage any parts from the tower, memory, storage space etc. Or is it effectively garbage now that it won't boot. Thought I'd check here before I scrap it.

mathepac

That G4 tower has a number of drive-bays (3 total + optical drive?) and it could be useful as a server / back-up machine with a few low-cost drvies attached or installed internally it could be a very useful piece of kit.

Can you post the order number off the white label and I'll consult the oracle. Your looking for a code like "M8705LL/A" (which would be a 2002 Quicksilver G4 800Mhz)

Libertine2002

Ah nice one, a useful reply for once. I'll post it up later on, don't have it close-by. Be sure to check back, you seem like someone with a brain worth pickin! I'm not really following what your saying but it seems good. Have a drawer full of external hard drives here as well, from what you're saying I can set them up with the G4 in such a way that I can use it as a backup machine / server? Sweet. Have to run but I'll send you a message when I get back. Cheers mate.

Libertine2002

Sorry about the delay, serial number is CK0130K9HSF

mathepac

Sorry, no the Serial No is no good to me (it would suit an Apple Tech), I need the order or model number which will look like "M8705LL/A", so "M****LL/A" "M" first and ending "L/A" or "LL/A". It sould be on the same label round the back where the ports are.

BTW your G4 was built in Cork.

Naikon

Libertine2002 wrote: »

Hi guys,

I have an old G4 tower that won't work (startup disk is fooked). I've managed to salvage the monitor and use it as extra screen real-estate for my MacPro but just wondering if anyone knows if I can salvage any parts from the tower, memory, storage space etc. Or is it effectively garbage now that it won't boot. Thought I'd check here before I scrap it.

If it boots, it's not 'fooked'. I suggest you throw Linux or FreeBSD on a new hard drive if you want to learn how to manage a server. Otherwise, give it to someone who will find a use for it.

Libertine2002

Naikon wrote: »

If it boots, it's not 'fooked'. I suggest you throw Linux or FreeBSD on a new hard drive if you want to learn how to manage a server. Otherwise, give it to someone who will find a use for it.

I've managed to install Ubuntu onto it but it only boots from the CD. I get a message upon startup saying "Invalid ROM Contents" then a list of error messages saying "no disk inserted" or something. I understand on the powerbook G4 there was a problem with the motherboard. I tried finding the same problem area on the motherboard as the powerbook but they look so different I can't find it. Might not even be the problem so I gave up on this.

So it seems she's pretty fooked alright pal.

Libertine2002

Anyway, can't find that number anywhere but here's everything on the label:

EMC#1843

Serial No. you know this, I won't type it out again!

Ethernet id: 003065447dfa

450mhz/1m cache/dvd-v/zip

128mb sdram/20g hd/ 56k mdm

And inside the machine there's another label with a model niumber. Nothing like what you described though: SA240-3540-058

Apple p/n: 614-0108

Libertine2002

Naikon wrote: »

Otherwise, give it to someone who will find a use for it.

Em, I think you're missing the point.

wolfric

what the hell man you're computer is fine. Your boot loader is on your hard drive. The hard drive can easily be replaced and your computer will just be fine. That rom error (if you'd googled it) was mentioned as being from your bios having onboard vga port enabled although there could be other answers. Don't bother with linux unless you don't want to use the hardware either. Just put the original os back on and use it like you did.


How exactly is your boot disk gone? Can it just not boot or is the disk screwed? There are tools out there to rebuild your mbr and register the bootable operating systems as well as rewrite mbr for example. Don't give up so easily.

Libertine2002

wolfric wrote: »

what the hell man you're computer is fine. Your boot loader is on your hard drive. The hard drive can easily be replaced and your computer will just be fine. That rom error (if you'd googled it) was mentioned as being from your bios having onboard vga port enabled although there could be other answers. Don't bother with linux unless you don't want to use the hardware either. Just put the original os back on and use it like you did.


How exactly is your boot disk gone? Can it just not boot or is the disk screwed? There are tools out there to rebuild your mbr and register the bootable operating systems as well as rewrite mbr for example. Don't give up so easily.

I'm not certain whats wrong with the disk but I've run disk warrior on it and erased it with disk utility to no avail, thats as far as my knowledge stretches unfortunately! No operating system I've tried can boot from it. Tried linux, Leopard and OS9. So you reckon a new hard drive will solve the problem? I always think I have macs sussed until I come on to places like this! Talk about humbled!

So will any hard drive designed for a G4 work or will I need to get one that matches the model? Or is it possible to use an external one instead?

By the way, I don't understand BIOS and mbr and whatnot, I know my software inside out but my knowledge of hardware is pretty poor. You may need to dumb it all down for me, sorry!

wolfric

Ah ok i didn't realise no os would boot from it. How were you trying to boot those other os? Did you have an additional hard drive or a live cd etc?

ricman

I,d suggest put it on www.adverts.ie ,free stuff , some mac expert could take it and use it as a server.You might want to use this http://www.dban.org/ , it erases the hardrive,so no one can get credit card/bank account info from it.
ITS like a pentium 3 pc,the memory, hd is so small, it s not worth taking anything out.
A TECHIE might use it as a server for linux or running mac software.
I Would not bother use any pc slower than a p4 1.oghz ,its just not worth the trouble.And you can buy a p4 pc 1.5ghz on adverts ie for 60 euro.
or simply remove the drive if theres personal info on it.
or format the drive using a linux livecd.
dban is a free download.

Overheal

cheese grater?

doubtfir3

best use...

g4 beer tap

MACHEAD

doubtfir3 wrote: »

best use...

g4 beer tap

Absolutely brilliant! I'm using one of those old G3's as a back up at work. When it kicks the bucket or I get my hands on a (cheap) G4 MDD to replace it with I think I know where the G3 will end up!