[Duo2400] Re: Software for a 2400c

[francis.fitzpatrick at att.net]

Dear Ralph:

Thank you for your kind note.  There was a LOT of data there.  I've taken your 
advice and done a core dump of http://www.sineware.com/mac2400.  

In answer to your questions, I have a G3/400, with 112 megs with a 6 gig hard 
drive as the primary and a plain jane 603c/180, with 80 megs and a 2 gig hard 
drive as the backup.  I expect to send both off to Kevin at MCE for a checkup 
(including enabling the CardBus if necessary) and bigger hard drives.  I have a 
Skyline wireless card, Global Village modem/Ethernet card and a USB card.  I 
hope to get a Firewire card.  USB seems more intuitive than SCSI -- esp. as I 
have some USB accessories like a 250 Zip and a CD-RW already. (Still haven't 
figured out how to get either one to get on the Internet through the modem, 
Ethernet or wireless net.)

For those like me switching from PC, the www.apple.com/switch site is pretty 
helpful.  I'm adding DAVE to the G3 to help transfer files between our various 
computers.  

Thank you again for all of the great advice.  

Francis Fitzpatrick 
     
> Welcome aboard Francis,
> 
> What is the configuration of the machine you have, i.e., RAM and 
> Harddrive size, BookEndz docking station, PC cards?
> 
> A basic machine has:		603c/180Mhz processor, 16MB RAM, 
> 1.3GB harddrive.
> Most machines by now have this:	603c/180Mhz processor, 80MB RAM, 
> Bigger harddrive.
> Fast machines have this:		G3 processor upgrade and/or 
> 96MB DRAM = 112MB total
> 
> Maxxed out 2400's usually look like this:
> 
> Interware G3/320 or 400MHz processor...easier to find installed, than 
> by itself.
> 30-40GB+ HD http://dealmac.com/ or installed by MCE, 
> http://store.powerbook1.com/
> 112MB RAM via 96MB module		http://www.macimports.com/home.html
> Yu-plan translucent keyboard		http://www.macimports.com/home.html
> Newer Tech BookEndz docking station ...eBay
> CardBus upgraded 
> 	http://store.powerbook1.com/mcecarupser.html
> PC Cards for Ethernet wired/wireless, modem, Firewire, USB and other 
> expansion options.
> 
> Installing RAM is pretty easy, compared to upgrading the processor 
> card and/or harddrive.  Doable, but tedious.  Various articles and a 
> Quicktime move for doing this are here: 
> http://www.sineware.com/mac2400
> 
> BTW, doing all the above gets you into iBook prices real fast. ;-)
> 
> Other comments below...
> 
> Francis Fitzpatrick
> francis.fitzpatrick at att.net said>>>
> >
> >I'm setting up a new (to me!) 2400c but I'm new to the whole Mac world.  Which
> >OS do y'all recommend?  OS 8 seems pretty stable.  Is there a big advantage
> >going to OS 9.0.1?  What about the transition to OS 9.2?  I want a system that
> >will work reliably and is still supportable.
> 
> OS 8.6 is probably the most stable and current, unless you want to 
> use OS 9 specific apps, e.g., iTunes, etc.  Many folks here run 
> multiple partitions on their harddrive, with OS 8.6 on one and OS 9.x 
> on another.  A few intrepid souls, with lots of RAM, have even run 
> OSX.
> 
> >Which basic software packages should I get?  I was thinking of MS 
> >Office, IE 5,
> >Virex or Norton anti-virus.  Probably should also get a firewall.  Anything
> >else you would suggest or change?
> 
> I've been running MS Office98, IE 5.x, Netscape 4 Navigator Only, 
> Eudora all without any problems...other than the usual, to me, 
> wierdness that comes with MS software. I'd strongly suggest getting a 
> good disk utility app such as TechTool Pro and/or DiskWarrior.  I 
> guess everyone probably keeps a copy of Norton Utilities around also.
> 
> If you stay away from MS Outlook and keep your MS Office security 
> updates current to dodge the various macro viruses and plug some 
> other holes in the MS software , you probably can get by without 
> anti-virus software, but it's good insurance if you are concerned. 
> Others can suggest a software firewall, but if you use a hardware 
> router you should be OK...just don't open your node to the world.
> >
> >Does it make a difference to your answer if I upgrade to 112 meg of memory
> >and/or upgrade the processor to the G3/400?
> 
> More RAM is always nice, but finding the 96MB DRAM module to take you 
> to 112MB will be difficult and expensive...around $400, special order 
> only.  A faster/bigger harddrive can provide a good boost in speed 
> and subjectively can make a bit more difference than even the RAM.
> 
> The inability to support more than 80 MB RAM officially(and 112MB 
> unofficially) along with the difficulty in finding good batteries are 
> probably the 2400s biggest constraints.
> 
> The G3 upgrade is outstanding, but finding an Interware G3 by itself 
> is hard.  Many folks buy one already installed, then just sell their 
> basic machine to help fund the purchase.  A 2400/G3-Interware 
> equipped machine is probably going to sell for $700-1000, depending 
> on the market.  Pretty good deal if you can find one, since folks are 
> still paying $300-600 on eBay for relatively stock machines.
> 
> >
> >I've heard of a MacWorld PowerBook CD.  Any good?  Any one got a spare that
> >they would sell?
> 
> Probably pretty dated, but not sure what you've heard about it.
> 
> There is also a bit of information here, 
> , though the editor really needs to 
> rewrite most of the site to many of the articles up-to-date. ;-)
> 
> Well, that's my core dump...I'm sure you'll get some other guidance 
> from the other folks on here, shortly.
> 
> Ralph Mawyer, Jr.
> San Antonio, Texas
> 
> Associate Editor
> mac2400 ... http://www.sineware.com/mac2400
> Your PowerBook 2400 Reference Site
> "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
> safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin, 1759.
> 
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