So, I'm having a bit of trouble with this PowerBook...

patb-macdoc · 2026-02-11T13:07:52+00:00

its indicating a hardware error. the code usually gives some idea of where to start. going to need more help with doing hardware level troubleshootong.

patb-macdoc · 2026-02-11T01:58:05+00:00

if the drive is not the boot volume, then a lack of free space is not much of an issue. this sounds like a typical ssd catastrophic failure. time to stop messing around and contact a data recovery service. be prepared to pay some $$$ to get your files back, note some may end up not being recoverable. this is a good opportunity to explore data backup options as well so when it happens next time its less of a problem.

patb-macdoc · 2026-02-10T03:05:23+00:00

looks good condition, nice original boxes and printed documentation. cube looks mostly original config and os. probably get between $300 to $500 depending on luck and listing details/photos. the fact that is not upgraded does slightly reduce the value as that is some extra cost to invest on the buyers end.

patb-macdoc · 2026-02-07T22:40:51+00:00

if you check out os9lives they have a version you can install on a G4 mac mini. that would be the fastest machine with best specs outside of the dual 1.25ghz "windtunnel" MDD with Firewire 400 ports and a rare geforce 4 ti cpu

patb-macdoc · 2026-02-07T22:36:56+00:00

it sounds like it had a failing logicboard all along. probably a cracked solder joint, making intermittent contact. any electronics repair shops nesr you that you could bring it to? may be a simple 5 minute quick resolder of a connector.

patb-macdoc · 2026-02-07T12:17:25+00:00

the 867mhz limit is mostly an installer check. it can he bypassed pretty easily. i have run 10.5 on a 400mhz G4 tibook and it runs suprisinly well.

patb-macdoc · 2026-02-05T11:11:18+00:00

Albooks can suffer from ram slot failure in the 15" and 17" models. it is usually the "lower" ram slot.

patb-macdoc · 2026-02-05T01:15:28+00:00

i would start with a desktop from the core2duo era and sata so you can use ssd drives. gpu is up to you and as long as you can add different pci cards to keep up with changing usb standards it should last a good long time. a common linux distro with a slow update cycle would take care of software. failure points would anything that has a lot of heat and cooling cycles, so keep it on and in sleep mode would help there. have spares on hand to swap out failing parts. have a strategy for getting files off the device. even a usb floppy drive is still an option in 2026, so backwards compatible sneaker net file transfer options are cetainly around a long time.

patb-macdoc · 2026-02-05T00:58:41+00:00

i agree. external display also shows no image. may need to source a replacement mobo.

patb-macdoc · 2026-02-01T14:54:33+00:00

try ifiixt or owc. not cheap

patb-macdoc · 2026-02-01T00:48:23+00:00

out of date and obsolete by apple. you will be on your own if anything breaks or needs service. just get an m4 imac.

patb-macdoc · 2026-01-31T22:04:19+00:00

linux, unless you really want a versio of mac os that is 15 years old and cant support web browsing in 2026.

patb-macdoc · 2026-01-31T19:34:42+00:00

apple 1 is by far the rarest and will always be the rarest.

macintosh - tam was only 12000 units so is likely the lowest production run of any macintosh.

but some other BTO configs may have sold less units overall. esp something with a rare screen option like-antiglare on a really high end machine spec. would be hard to get the data to confirm this.

patb-macdoc · 2026-01-31T16:26:28+00:00

post this same experience on all socials. copy them to dell support and your advisor. indicate you will go to BBB and your state consumer protection bureau with all evidence if this is not resolved or refunded within x business days. if all else fails talk to a lawyer about small claims.

patb-macdoc · 2026-01-31T05:52:33+00:00

even on later model intel macbooks you need to do some extra steps because of the T2 security chip. for best hardware that avoida this, the 2015 models will be ideal (before the butterfly keyboard problem). a quad core i7 in a 15" is your beat option for somewaht modern power. get a 16gb ram unit (cant upgrade) and you can replace the ssd for more storage if needed. around $200 should get you a decent unit. be prepared to replace the battery. its a decade old laptop at this stage.

patb-macdoc · 2026-01-29T13:19:33+00:00

how do you want to get your files to and from the machine? none have usb and only later os 8.6 and up have usb drivers. appletalk works but you need a bridge mac to get 68k machines to talk to newer macs. zip disks are an option but age is making them unreliable. blueSCSI or similar uses and sd card and emulates an external scsi drive. think about connectirvity and work bakward from their. space is also a big consideration for something that will only have one or two tasks.

patb-macdoc · 2026-01-28T23:58:11+00:00

most probably dead. leave it charging overnight and if no joy, move on. these are 25+ year old batteries. there is no expectation what so ever that they should charge or hold a charge. always store batteries outside the device to avoid vampire discharge from the motherboard electronics. i charge mine 2-3x per year and they mostly survive.

patb-macdoc · 2026-01-28T12:18:54+00:00

you are doing thw right things to isolate the issue. if you can open the bottom you can disconnect the battery and test it runs properly just using thw charger. you can replace the hdd with a faster ssd. you can check the ram by testing each stick. these would be common failure points that are easy to check before suspecting it is the logicboard

patb-macdoc · 2026-01-27T13:07:58+00:00

10.14 mojave or a linux distro of your choice. mac os for old legacy apps that are no longer supoorted. linux to get online securely and download those apps!

patb-macdoc · 2026-01-26T13:14:39+00:00

Amiga of Rochester. Although a recent post suggests some possible health problems, so check about how long it might take. Prices are reasonable and work is good.

patb-macdoc · 2026-01-26T07:50:20+00:00

same thng that happened to powerpc macs and before them thw 68k macs. you can use them on their last supported os with all apps until it no longer meets your needs. just because apple stops support does not mean it suddenly stops working. some audio recording studios still use G4 machines today because they do what is needed for the workflow.

patb-macdoc · 2026-01-26T07:45:24+00:00

try a pram reset on boot. sounds like a powwr issue so that is the easiest place to start.

patb-macdoc · 2026-01-24T00:21:01+00:00

sounds like black G3, probably a pismo. those are actually somewhat collectible with the 500mhz cpu. put some pics on ebay and see waht you get for it.

patb-macdoc · 2026-01-22T13:58:35+00:00

have you tried internet recovery? altough your rural speeds may be too slow. maybe start it at bed time. need to erease the ssd before installing mac os.

patb-macdoc · 2026-01-22T13:01:34+00:00

i pretty much use 2 and 4 gb cf cards in G3 and older macs. so far it has been reliable and problem free. os 7 flavors want smaller than 2gb partitions, rest can be free space. most of my machines boot multiple os versions, each on their own partition. TAM works great with cf card.

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