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Old 08-06-2003, 07:29 AM   #1
MasterC
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Lookin for some basic info on getting a Mac up


Hello! I recently acquired me a PowerPC Macintosh 8500 Inspired from This Thread. And now I'm wondering something probably blatently obvious:
How do I set this up?

Any online docs on hookin this thing up so I can get busy installing a distro on it would be AWESOME! Otherwise, just general pointers or hints/suggestions are warmly welcomed

Cool
 
Old 08-06-2003, 09:32 PM   #2
Dhimani
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What is the nature of the problem? Did you get everything you need, i.e. a keyboard and mouse too? I'm sorry if this seems to be a stupid question, but we need to know at what point you're starting from.
 
Old 08-06-2003, 10:50 PM   #3
Blinker_Fluid
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Helps if you plug it in...
 
Old 08-06-2003, 11:22 PM   #4
MasterC
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Damn, I knew I missed something, power.
Not really...

Nah, no mice or keyboard, I was actually hoping for some info on getting it up over a network, however after some much needed sleep I remembered I'll need to get basic things started locally first, so I'll need to pick up a mac keyboard I guess. But some of the plugs on the back certainly look like a ps/2 keyboard plug? I'll dork around a bit with my PC hardware on it, see if I can breathe some life into it with that. I've got a VGA monitor, and a PCI video card, so I'm hoping those'll jive.

Cool
 
Old 08-06-2003, 11:24 PM   #5
MasterC
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Quote:
Originally posted by Dhimani
What is the nature of the problem? Did you get everything you need, i.e. a keyboard and mouse too? I'm sorry if this seems to be a stupid question, but we need to know at what point you're starting from.
Probably would normally have been a stupid question if I knew jack about Mac's. Reading over the Mac thread from a few days ago, it looks like I'm gonna have to get some mac parts like a Mac keyboard

Thanks for the reply

Cool
 
Old 08-07-2003, 07:43 PM   #6
Dhimani
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That would probably be the easiest thing to do. BTW your PCI video card should work; you've got 3 PCI slots to play with . If you've got a usb PCI card, install that too and that'll allow you to use USB devices (you might need drivers for the card and at least Mac OS 8.0 too). How much memory did that puppy come with?
 
Old 08-07-2003, 08:01 PM   #7
Travis86
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Oooh. 150 Mhz. of computing power. Not bad for $35.

Is your monitor a the right type? I was going to use a Mac monitor on one of my computers, but found it had a D-type connector (2 rows of pins). Normal VGA connectors have 3 rows, you know. Apple likes you to buy their stuff.

Can't you just throw in a bootable CD with a network installer program? You have to hold down the "c" key right after the startup sound to make it boot off of the CD.

I guess that requires a keyboard.

Last edited by Travis86; 08-07-2003 at 08:04 PM.
 
Old 08-08-2003, 02:57 AM   #8
MasterC
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I'll play with that, my monitor is a PC monitor, but with the PCI vid card, that should be fine apparently ( thanks for the info Dhimani ). The USB deal might not be necessary since I've only got a USB mouse and no keyboard (meaning I'll be getting a mac keyboard anyway). Once I get it up to a point, I'll toss a PPC distro on there and get it going on network. Once networking is up, I'm nearly home free. First things first:
Ebay for a keyboard

Cool
 
Old 08-08-2003, 07:15 AM   #9
Dhimani
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Something else I just thought about, MasterC, see if you can find a Mac to VGA adapter on eBay. That'll allow you to use a PC monitor with a Mac. They usually go for about $10. It may not give you the best results, but that'll get you up and running without having to crack upen the case.
 
Old 08-08-2003, 07:25 AM   #10
MasterC
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Thanks! I already cracked the case, just to peer at the guts of a Mac. Everything is "Apple Corp"! Amazing. I open up my PC box, and I don't think 1 vendor matches

I don't wanna seem all dorky, but can you take a look at an auction to tell me if:
1. It's a good price;
2. It'll fit my Mac
?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=25444

I've emailed the seller, but I'd prefer a non-biased (assuming you aren't the seller ) opinion I also found something else I'd like from the seller, so I was wondering if they would give me a package deal, but that's completely OT...

Thanks for all the assistance so far!

Cool

<EDIT>
I think I found a VGA:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=25436
Is that what I need? Thanks again
</EDIT>

Last edited by MasterC; 08-08-2003 at 07:32 AM.
 
Old 08-08-2003, 07:47 PM   #11
Dhimani
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That's the one, and no, I'm not the seller . You'll notice that the mouse plugs into the side of the keyboard, instead of the tower, and there's a power key on the upper right corner of the keyboard. I find that more convenient than having to press the power key on the computer. The price seems to be in line with what I've seen sellers offering that combination (some are a tad cheaper, some are a tad bit more). As far as your comment concerning everything inside your Mac being labeled "Apple Corp," yes it's different but that is one of the things that distinguishes Apple from the PC world. Indeed, you pay more for Apple products, but they develop the machines both on the hardware side and the operating system side. That's why I believe that they're easier to use and better than winblows boxes (but that's not saying too much ). The hardware/software integration aspect lends some people to believe that they're not upgradeable, but as you'll find out that's simply not true. Don't feel "dorky" about asking the questions, I'm happy to help any way that I can.

Last edited by Dhimani; 08-08-2003 at 07:51 PM.
 
  


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