[Duo2400] Re: Finally Got a 2400c! Please help me to optimize it/set it up forwireless

[Ralph Mawyer]

Late to respond, but...

On Nov 8, 2003, at 11:20 AM, pulin at mailcan.com wrote:

> All I basically want to really do with it is use it to surf the web
> wirelessly.

You can check mac2400 or here:  
http://www.detwiler.us/2400c~wireless.html

> Here's my set-up:  Powermac G4 Dual 867 hardwired to a Netgear Router. 
>  My
> wife has a PeeCee laptop with a Linksys wireless PC card.
>
> The Comet came with the following specs:  System 8.5, 48 MB RAM, 1.3 
> GB hard
> disk,  180 MHz processor, external floppy, an external CD-ROM with SCSI
> adapter, Global Village 56k PC card modem.
> been cardbus-enabled.

I'd upgrade to OS 8.6 for overall stability and replace the RAM with 
64MB chip or 96MB if you can find it cheap, i.e., $60.

>
> So, the advice I'm asking for is how to really optimize the Comet 
> without
> sinking too much more money into it (again, I just want to surf the web
> wirelessly...that's about it).
>
> It looks like the only browser on the hard drive is Navigator 3.

IE 5.x will work well with OS 8.6 and gets you pretty current with most 
websites.

>
> So, what type of PC card do I need that does not require a 
> Cardbus-enabled
> slot and what else do I really need to do to set-up the wireless 
> network?

See  site above. The most painless wireless setups seem to use the 
Orinoco Silver card. More info on the site listed above.
>
> It may be a pain to try and get any other software onto the computer 
> until I
> setup the network,  so suggestions that would utilize whatever I 
> already
> have on the hard drive would be greatly appreciated.

A MCE (www.powerbook1.com) Transport drive that uses a PC card 
interface instead of CardBus or Firewire is a great way to get data 
portability without a network. ...but probably not worth the $ unless 
you can find just the drive case and buy a HD off of DealMac or 
wherever.

>
> Additionally, any other suggestions on how to optimize the Comet would 
> be
> great (optimal OS, etc.).

Max RAM to 80MB.
OS 8.6 or 9.1, if you need iTunes.
Bigger HD... 80GB @ $100.
Patience and careful work habits to do the upgrades. ;-)
If you open it up, consider doing the CardBus upgrade if your are lucky 
enough to have the right motherboard. Links on mac2400.

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.