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Power Macintosh G3 Q&A - Updated February 21, 2010
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How do you upgrade the processor in the Power Mac G3 models? How are the Power Mac G3 processors mounted?
Officially, Apple does not specify whether or not the processor(s) in the Power Macintosh G3 models are upgradable. However, all of the Power Mac G3 models have the processors mounted on a ZIF socket, and as such, upgrading the processor is easy.
Installation is straightforward regardless of model -- and instructions should be provided with the upgrade card itself -- but it involves little more than unplugging the old processor module, plugging in the new one, and perhaps setting some jumpers or switches. Apple declines to provide installation instructions for end users, but the not for public distribution service source manuals (if they are still online) for the Desktop, Minitower, All-in-One, and Blue & White models, respectively, may help.
Although the lists are not entirely comprehensive, EveryMac.com has archived information on a number of upgrade cards compatible with the Platinum and Blue & White models for your reference. Site sponsor Other World Computing has information on any remaining compatible cards for sale.
How do you replace or upgrade the optical drive in the Power Mac G3 models? What are the capabilities of the default optical drives? Can these Macs support DVD-R?
By default, all Platinum/Beige Power Mac G3 models shipped with a 24X CD-ROM drive (although a 5X DVD-ROM drive was available by custom configuration) and "Blue & White" Power Mac G3 models shipped with either a 32X CD-ROM or 5X DVD-ROM drive. All Power Mac G3 models use an EIDE (ATA-3) bus for the optical drive.
Apple declines to provide optical drive replacement instructions for end users, but the not for public distribution service source manuals (if they are still online) for the Desktop, Minitower, All-in-One, and Blue & White models, respectively, may help.
All Power Mac G3 models can be upgraded to hold a DVD-R drive, but the Platinum/Beige models formally cannot support versions of the MacOS beyond MacOS X 10.2.8 (Jaguar), whereas MacOS X 10.4 (Tiger) is required for native DVD-R support.
However, support for many DVD-R drives can be added to earlier versions of MacOS X using third-party PatchBurn software. The "Blue & White" Power Mac G3 models support MacOS X 10.4 (Tiger) and third-party software is not required unless booting from an earlier version of the operating system. Systems booting MacOS 9 can burn DVD-R discs using Toast 5.
Site sponsor Other World Computing sells optical drives compatible with Power Mac G3 models. Please double check to ensure a particular optical drive of interest is compatible with both your Mac and your operating system.
How do you replace or upgrade the Zip drive in the Power Mac G3 models?
Replacing the Zip drive in the Power Mac G3 models with another Zip drive (or a hard drive) is fairly simple although Apple does not provide step-by-step instructions for end users. However, the not for public distribution service source manuals (if they are still online) for the Desktop, Minitower, All-in-One, and Blue & White models, respectively, may help.
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