Started the hunt for the Powerbook
Maxing out the hardware:
1. Memory: DDR2 2GB ....2, 1GB modules. Will one 2GB work? or recognition limited to 1GB in each slot. 2 GB installed! 2/ 1GB CT12864AC53E
2. Hard Drive: upgrade from stock 60-80GB hard drive? What size and type will Morph accept? External LACIE firewire 250 GB... back-up for both MAC MINI and PowerBook
3. Cd drive: pros/con on models? Is there a best or is it limited? smooth and quiet
4. Wifi. What's the best route? brand model that works? NETGEAR WG511T
5. USB add ons? APPLE PRO keyboard and APPLE optical mouse
6.Firewire will Lacie external work? WORKS!
7.Hook-up to external monitor/tv? SONY BRAVIA adapter DVI to HDMI, Male to Female
8.Audio? 3.5 audio out to BRAVIA
9.Battery/charger? 5 ADAPTERS: 2 APPLES 65W, 1 KENSINGTON 70W, 1 NEWER TECH 65W,
1 EXTERNAL THIRD PARTY 20/V 3.5A
4 A1078 batteries each with full charge and 0 to 18 cycles of use


Prepping the software:
Dual boot or not?
Transfer Data/programs from Mac Mini etal? SUPPORTED THIRD PARTY

Can I have a shower for my new Powerbook baby?



[ Edited by osco 05.12.2011 - 15:39 ]

> Hard Drive: upgrade from stock 60-80GB hard drive?
> What size and type will Morph accept?

This has nothing to do with MorphOS but with the PowerBook hardware itself (form factor, controller type). The PowerBook models to be supported by MorphOS need a 2.5" form factor and PATA type HDD. Largest capacity for 2.5" PATA HDD is 320 GB.
Instead of a traditional HDD you can as well decide for an SSD in 2.5" form factor and PATA type. Those are available at up to 256 GiB capacity.

> Hook-up to external monitor?

Yes, according to that posting.

> 8.Audio?

Onboard.

> Dual boot or not?

Probably the same as with the other supported Macs.

1 2GB module will work on a PB5.9 (tested myself with 2 units), still won't go a notch over 2GB with a 2nd module.
Should also work with 5.8 (the latest 15").

5.6 and 5.7 (the "lowres" 1.67GHz models) won't accept 2GB modules..... actually I would need to recheck wether these can be used as 1GB or if they are completly ignored.

The max harddrive is 320GB ( I think only WD offer these in PATA).

[ Edited by Kronos 29.09.2011 - 16:52 ]

Good guide on changing hard drivers:

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/PowerBook-G4-Aluminum-17-Inch-1-67-GHz-High-Res-Hard-Drive-Replacement/1035/1

And one I followed, with success (!)

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing-PowerBook-G4-Aluminum-15-Inch-1-67-GHz-Hard-Drive/638/1

I used a WD 280, works fine, not the quietest, but no worse than the original

[ Edited by stephen_robinson 29.09.2011 - 17:53 ]

Report of Tech Tools Deluxe


Report for Volume 'powerbook'

Format: Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
Interface: ATA
Capacity: 74.41 GB
Available: 58.37 GB
Used: 16.03 GB
File Count: 510,638


Processor
Passed
This test verifies that the Central Processor Unit (CPU) is operating correctly.


RAM
Passed
This test checks physical and virtual memory. The program deploys a variety of memory test routines that allow RAM to be inspected for inconsistencies.


Video RAM
Passed
Video RAM, as all components of your video circuitry, must be fully functional for graphics to be properly displayed. Damaged VRAM can cause missing bits, screen noise, system lock ups, or freezes. TechTool Deluxe tests the VRAM on the Macintosh main logic board, as well as some third-party video cards.


USB
Passed
The USB test verifies that control signals sent over the USB are properly transmitted and received.


Drive Hardware
Passed
Checks the physical attributes of the device containing the selected volume.


Format Check
Passed
This test establishes whether the volume was properly formatted during initial setup routines.


Directory Scan
Passed
Performs a read test of the directory area for the selected volume.


Surface Scan
Skipped
The Surface Scan test will scan the disk for bad blocks.


Random Read
Passed
Used in conjunction with the Random Write test, this test verifies that data can be reliably read from random memory locations.


Random Write
Passed
Used in conjunction with the Random Read test, this test verifies that data can be reliably written to random memory locations.


Linear Read
Passed
Used in conjunction with the Linear Write test, this test verifies that data can be reliably read from a linear set of blocks on the device.


Linear Write
Passed
Used in conjunction with the Linear Read test, this test verifies that data can be reliably written to a linear set of blocks on the device.


Seek
Passed
This test checks the ability of the initiator to position the device heads in preparation for access to a particular logical block on the device.


Read Buffer
Passed
Used in conjunction with the Write Buffer test, this test checks the device buffer cache and bus integrity.


Write Buffer
Passed
Used in conjunction with the Read Buffer test, this test checks the device buffer cache and bus integrity.


Volume Structure
Passed
TechTool Deluxe can scan volumes for problems related to the numerous structures that are necessary for the volumes to operate correctly. If problems are found, TechTool Deluxe can attempt to repair the damage to help reduce the chance of future problems.


[ Edited by osco 17.11.2011 - 12:23 ]

What is the best option to have maximum RAM performance.
2x1 GB or 1x2GB?

Kamel

I went with two chips. Not performance but redundancy, in case the chip fails, one would have the other to work. I don"t know how much faster one chip verses two chips.
I found one chip was slower 3200 verses 4200? same chip???

I''ve got a 15" High Res A1138 powerbook, I've noticed that when it gets hot only the left fan comes on, which isn't that often, is that normal and the right one comes on when it's really hot or is my Right fan broken?

I've opened it up and it's all attached, but changing the whole thing looks horrific!
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing-PowerBook-G4-Aluminum-15-Inch-1-67-GHz-Right-Fan/656/1

I did not know that I could use one 2gb RAM simm instead of 2-1gb RAM simms, that is interesting.

As for the Fan question, don't make the same mistake I did. Like you, I thought that one of my fans was not working, so I replaced fans and heatsink, which are all one unit in the 17-inch model 1139 G4 PowerBook. The reason one fan does not run is because it is activated by the temperature of the GPU, not the CPU, so both fans will not run at the same time, unless both the CPU and GPU are over their set temperature settings.

To replace the fans and heatsink in the 17-inch G4 PowerBook, you must go through about 65 steps and remove almost every single part from your PowerBook to get to the fans and heatsink removal step.

I guess it is not a bad idea to do this to re-apply the heat transfer paste on top of both the G4 CPU and the Radeon GPU, as a precaution, as the factory application of the thermal paste may not have been the best it can be.

About the WD 320gb PATA hard drives, I purchased one on eBay and replaced my original hard drive when I did the fans and heatsink replacement and my 17-inch G4 PowerBook, model 1139 would not boot from the Tiger or Leopard install DVD's after that point. I thought I had done something wrong during the heatsink replacement, or the re-assembly, so I took it apart again checked everything and put it back together a couple more times, with the same result. With the Tiger or Leopard install DVD inserted, it would only boot to a blank blue screen with the trackpad pointer in the upper left corner and no response from the trackpad, or keyboard at all.

Thinking that I had killed my G4 PowerBook only a few weeks before I was scheduled to give a presentation of MorphOS3.0 beta at the AmiWest 2011 Show, I panicked and purchased a replacement 15-inch model 1138 G4 PowerBook on eBay, so I would have a working PowerBook to do the presentation at the AmiWest show. On the day that the replacement PowerBook arrived at my home, I opened up my 17-inch PowerBook and replaced the 320gb WD hard drive with the original hard drive and put it back together. Well, you guessed it, it booted up like nothing had happened and has worked fine since that day.

I decided to try the WD 320gb PATA drive in the 15-inch G4 PowerBook and found that it acted exactly the same as the 17-inch PowerBook earlier. Very strange, as this 320gb PATA drive was listed as compatible with the G4 PowerBook. Just out of curiosity I tried to boot from my Ubuntu PPC 10.10 DVD and presto!, it booted and installed. I then tried the MorphOS3.0 beta install CD and it also booted and installed. After a successful installation of MorphOS3.0 beta on this 320gb WD hard drive, I had a default partition layout of a 511mb System partition, a 127gb Work partition, and a small Boot partition. The limitation of the standard install with MorphOS3.0 beta is that it cannot create any partition larger than 127gb. I am guessing this is due to the file system used in the default install and if I changed the Work partition to my registered ICE file system, I could use the entire remainder of the 320gb drive.

I tried again to boot from the MacOSX Leopard install DVD. This time it booted, but the "Disk Utility" refused to format the free space left on the 320gb drive to use as a partition to install MacOSX Leopard onto.

I have not yet tried to use the Ubuntu 10.10 PPC install DVD to partition and install to the unused space on this drive and i might just stay with a MorphOS3.0 only on that PowerBook and forget about dual, or triple booting.

So, if you buy a WD 320gb PATA drive for your G4 PowerBook, let me know if you experience the same thing after you install it and tell me if you are successful in setting up a dual, or triple boot system with it and how you did it.

amigadave,

Quote:

To be honest, I think I'd rather just one of those cheap usb powered external coolers, I'd be too worried about breaking the Powerbook.

My WD 320gb hard drive works fine in my 15" laptop.

why bother? Is 3.0 coming out anytime soon?

Supposedly.

just did more reading.. which powerbook will be supported... G4, correct?

Nice article about 3.0* here:
http://obligement.free.fr/articles/alchimie111111_amigaos_morphos.php

*and 4.1.x

@ Magic M,
They are the last run of PowerBooks in 2005

There are 4 models that are supported 5,6 5,7 5,8 5,9
Model #'s M9677LL/A, M9689LL/A, M9969LL/A, M9970LL/A
A1106,A1107,A1138,A1139.
The last two are preferred because of DDR2 ram, Double Layer Drive, and Screen resolutions?

I am looking for one now :)


btw, so after reading, built in wifi is not supported and we need to get a PCMCIA wifi card, correct?

[ Edited by TheMagicM 19.11.2011 - 17:51 ]

The price ranges from $150 on up on EBAY.
Yes, You will need a wifi card for the foreseeable future $5-10 on Ebay as well

[ Edited by osco 19.11.2011 - 19:13 ]

Has any of you guys experienced the quality issues mentioned here? I am referring to the memory slot failures, the Narcoleptic Aluminium PowerBook Syndrome or the messed up displays?

I am asking because I'm a bit anxious - for I got myself... err... a 9689/1107/5,7 whatever (1.67 GHz, 17", LowRes, slow RAM, Rev. D). At least the seller's description says so.

Don't be anxious
The Powerbooks have gone through many years of use and many of the bugs have been fixed. I have experienced a battery issue which I have made a workaround.
1. Memory slot failure. Not here but there are two slots and on my 5,8 both work. 2gb so dims are accepted as well to achieve the max in memory.
2. Narcoleptic not here
3. Display rock solid.
The Powerbook has been 24/7 for many months for me..NO ISSUES
Parts, repair guides, models are readily available.
Fear not

Let's see:

Got a 5.6 with dead RAM-slot -> sold
Got a 5.7 with "lines" in the display -> monted in a 5.5 casing (incl. display but not kbd/trackpad) -> sold
Got a 5.9 with a slightly broken backlight cable, have a replacement cable ready but am enjoying MorphOS3.0 to much to rip it apart

So yes these issues exist, but they are far less serious in reallife as one might believe.

@megander

I wouldn't worry to much about it being it being lowres, 1680x1050 pixels are far to much for such a tiny screen anyways

@osco, kronos: Thank you gentlemen for your comforting words. I will follow the suggestions from this forum as to running testing programms under MacOS and see what happens.

BTW, I understand NetGear PCMCIA cards are mandatory for the usage of wifi connections, even under MorphOS 3.0. Will the suggested WG511T be suitable for my PowerBook as well and is it as hard to install as the one on my A1200?

Just asking.... will MorphOS3 support Geforce graphic cards? I found a PowerMac but it has a Geforce card.

Nostromo,
Quote:
No. And it will not support any other NVidia card either.

> I understand NetGear PCMCIA cards are mandatory for the usage of wifi connections

I don't think it must be NetGear necessarily. It's just important that it has the proper chipset.

OK - got it. Atheros 5k.

Danke!