weird bsd on mac question
 

OK, I know this is a bit of a strange one but here it goes:

I was digging thorough the attic today and happened upon a really old Mac LC. I could not resist the temptation to attempt to put unix on it, especially when I found out that it is supported by netbsd.

The problem is getting the installer files that I need onot the hard disk. They are way to large to transport via floppy, and this mac is so old it doesn't have a cdrom. It is supposed to connect to the internet through as PS/2 port (the little thingy a mouse goes in, right?), but I have no idea how to set it up.

As I seet it, the only two options are to either somehow hook up a cd drive, or try and get it connect it. As far as free space goes, I have one free PS/2 and one printer hookup spot (i can't remember if that's called a parallel port or what).

Any help, ideas, or maybe even alternative distros would be great!

Thanks a million,
Andrew

There are some linux;s that will work on macs. The current two depend on the spec of the mac. google for m68k and then look there for a link to the other related distro.

The ps/2 looking port isn't actually a ps/2 port. Its actually a dodgy type of serial connection. Im in the same situation that you are an have been looking everywhere for a null modem cable for this type of port but have failed so far. Your best bet is to attempt to connect to the net maybe, but im not sure.

Alex

Actually the little port with a line with two lines branching off one side and one line branching off the other is called the Apple Desktop Bus port or ADB for short. basically you hook up the port the to keyboard with a cable (note on some Apple keyboards, but not all you actually have to hook a cable to the keyboard on the left side port on the keyboard and the mouse or trackball hooks up to the right side port). Actually the incredible part is Apple claims it supports up to 14 devices, but most people don't reccomend it due to the low amount of bandwidth available and I'd say seven devices is a safe maximum (that's what most people say). Also the 25 pin port you're seeing is a scsi port, but I don't know the scsi standard off hand and if you want to use it for anything usefull I would say upgrade your scsi using the pds slot on the motherboard (though I'd recommend, you get a cpu upgrade from a guy called Micro Mac who sells old mac parts since you only have a 68020 and if bsd runs at all it may be to slow to fully appreciated and the upgrade he sells can also be used with a height extending case and his specially modded fpuless 68030 33s and optional fpu 68030 40s that have two pds slots on top of the board). By the way the extended case offer an additional 5.25 and 3.5 bays and replaces the factory plastic case cover and allows the modded upgrade to be utilized. The weird part is I think the mod is factory from the upgrade manufacturer. If you use a pc monitor you'll also need an adaptor with dip switches you set to configure (if you're unlucky like I was you may have to search online for a manual type document or I'll scan mine the next chance I get).

Wow, that will give me a lot to think about.

Off of the top of my head, i'm thinking about just leaving the case open, getting one of those cpus with a new scsi slot, putting a cdrom in it, and bsd on it. I'm still a little confused about that serial port though. Where can I find a cable that will fit in it, and, how on earth do I get it hooked up to an internet connection?

Thanks a ton,
Andrew

PS~ I'm having trouble finding that 'Micro Mac' webpage. Do you think you could link me to it?

MicroMac's address
 

The web site's address is www.micromac.com First of all for your keyboard and cable you have two choices, first check your yellow pages under computers and call around to see if any of them sell adb keyboards and mice or trackballs and if you can't find any on ebay in the Electronics and Computers section, then go to the Computers and Office Products section (don't ask why, I was confused the first time I found it there too), then go to the Apple, Macintosh section, then Desktops and then go to 68K, Mac. Don't make the mistake I did name brand chains like Best Buy, Office Max, and Radio Shack don't sell adb products because they're not made anymore. In short they're obsolete by today's Mac standards since modern Macs use usb. By the way make sure to check all folders under Apple, Macintosh if you don't find anything in 68k, Mac (that category frequently shrinks and grows so I don't know if there's any in there since it has been a while since I checked), even the places you'd think to last to look like other and if you don't prefer that approach just do what I occasionally do and search the entire Apple, Macintosh category and make sure to vary searches as that will insure you didn't miss anything by a few words. Oh, and since I've given you all this info so nicely, maybe you could take a look at my jigdo freebsd port thread and try to help me figure that out. If all else fails and you're willing to pay shipping I know of a local store I could get you a Mac keyboard and mouse at (that's where I got mine and the monitor adaptor for the Performa 405 I was given to help me in my 68k Mac emulation hobby).

Okay~ I went over to the school where this computer came from, and rummaged up a keyboard/mouse. I also browsed on micro mac, and it has ethernet adapters available for an adp slot. i think i'll get one of those, because that way i can actually be suring the net via the crap-o-la mac : ).

this is every so cool, thanks a lot for your help,
andrew

You're very welcome for the help and I hope bsd works great for you on your Mac, but I will warn you that without the cpu upgrade you might find the Mac very unusable so I'd recommend you get one. Please get the case to replace the original, if you don't you'll regret it later when static ruins your new toy, so don't say I didn't warn you. Oh, and if you buy a case MicroMac also bundles it with any of the cpu upgrades with the faster one costing additional so even though they cost a lot it looks like it's worth it to me. Don't forget without the case if you utilize a second hard drive or two you'll need a place to mount it/them, just something to think about. You'll not believe the Mac bargain I just picked up today. The local college MSU (Minnesota State University, ya I'm a Minnesotan, but not Norwegian :) was having a sale of various assorted items and . . . guess what, they had a bargain PowerMac 7600/132 for only $35 with a monitor and everything needed (okay I don't know if the keyboard, mouse , and two power cords I needed were included in the price, I hope so, but if not still a good deal) which via XPostFacto and a cpu upgrade (cpu upgrade is optional, but otherwise very sluggish I'm guessing) and a three in one combo pci firewire, usb, and ata133 card and a new hard drive it could be a great machine. I'm not sure yet if I'll upgrade and run 10.2 on it, but I'll keep you guys posted if I do. The best part is it came with a nice Apple 17 or 16 inch monitor (not sure which, haven't had a chance to check yet) with integrated speakers so that will be one less thing to buy. Unfortunately the sale is today and tomorrow from 7:30 to 12:00 and since I work from 8:30 to 12:00 (what bad luck I had with that!) I had to get up at 6:30 just to get there in time to get all the good bargains, but is what worth it (I'll be feeling that one tomorrow morning or Saturday morning since I usually stay up late to watch TechTv's Anime Unleashed on Friday nights, I love anime ever since I watched my first episode of DBZ). Oh, and please be patient with your Mac, I for one just enjoy the old machines for the nostalgia of it and think how you're lucky to have it at all and please be nice to your Mac/s (if you have any others).

Correction the monitor didn't have integrated speakers, I was just thinking of one of the other monitors I saw there with one of the other computers I didn't get. I just got confused.

lol, ok