OS X :: Finding Suggestions For Improving A G4 AGP
Nov 7, 2010
First time user of the forum. About a year or two ago, I acquired an older Mac G4 AGP from someone who said it was "broke" and was going to recycle it. Turns out the OS just needed to be re-installed, so she is up and running. I initially installed Leopard, but it didn't run as well as I would've liked, so I put Tiger on it (running much better). After that, I maxed out the memory @ 2GB(4 x 512MB PC133). Then I installed a 7200RPM HD to replace the slower drive. I also installed a DVD R/RW and maxed the processor to a 1.8GHz single core. Right now, I'm looking to bump up the video card. It's my understanding that the 9800 is best card for this system, but I'm not looking to spend that much. I will only be using this system to stream music from Grooveshark and Pandora, so it needs to run Flash content well. Currently, it has the ATI Rage 128 Pro with 16MB VRAM, which is next to nothing. Like I said, I don't need a crazy card, but I'm not sure the difference between one 64MB card and another, or should I go up to 128MB.
I am sort of shocked how much low I/O performance mars overall responsiveness of my mp. Whenever I have some disk intensive app running the entire system begins to stall awfully up to the point when a simple task such as browsing becomes a painfully slow process. This situation is even aggravated when I concurrently access a flash drive. I have 4 Samsung 1 TB F1s and 8 GB RAM available. Would building a software raid 5 help to improve the situation? I reckon that transfer rates are part of a problem. Intels latest SSD Drives are also much faster than my F1s and also sport much better access times. Has anyone experimented with using such a drive as the system and application drive?
I just moved into a new apartment today. Of course, I checked to see if there were any open wireless networks before signing up for high speed internet access.
There is one open linksys available, but I am having trouble with it. I get varying signal strengths between all and no bars. They vary as I sit at the table motionless with nothing moving around me. I get high speed streaming audio for a few minutes, then no internet at all for the next 5 minutes.
I've come into possession of a 1.83 Core Duo MacBook and I am curious if you're able to clock the processors on these in anyway? I appreciate the implications of doing this on a laptop / notebook type device, but I want to know in theory if it is possible. I understand the maximum ram on a MA254LL/A is 2GB... is this correct? Will it not ready any more? In terms of the CD drive, is it possible to upgrade it to a superdrive? Is this easy or simply not possible? I've seen a few on ebay, and would be curious to know if they'd work. How far can you get with a MA254LL/A, whats the maximum HDD you could pop in?
I am running windows 7 on my new MacBook Air, this is a requirement for my work, so can't be changed. I bought the MBA because it's a beautiful laptop, thin and light, great screen, and great keyboard. My battery life, however seems to be terrible, especially compared to statistics I have seen on other reviews/threads. At the moment, when I am unplugged, I have brightness at 30%, I have the hard drive set to sleep when not in use. I have bluetooth turned off and WiFi on. I almost exclusively use the computer to work on google docs. So, turn on the computer, work for half an hour, in Chrome, either sending and receiving emails or writing in Google Docs. (I can't figure out if this qualifies as "light browsing", but based on my battery drain I would say it's not...) I have a plug-in to block flash, and haven't been running flash on any website since I started using the computer.
Here are my statistics: Last night, typed (on the web) for half an hour and went from 100-80% battery. Put the computer to sleep for 9 hours, and when I woke the computer it was at 74% battery. Typed and checked email for forty minutes, went to 57% Woke the computer two hours later and was at 49% typed (on the web) for half an hour and was at 29% put the computer into hybernate, turned it on ten minutes later at was at 27% I've now been typing for about half an hour and I'm at 15%.
I'm losing, roughly, 20% of my battery for each half hour of typing in a browser, with flash disabled. That means 2.5 hours of browsing. I need to get 4 hours if I'm going to keep the computer.
I am trying to send a wide format poster file to Staples and the error keeps reading that the quality is too low. I have tried formatting it to .jpeg, .tiff, .png, .bmp, but nothing works. I have determined that it must be the original export to .pdf that is the trouble. I have tried to create a .pdf file through the print option on iPages as well as through the Export option to formulate a .pdf file. The end result seems to be the same. Does anyone know how I can increase the quality of the .pdf file.
If there is a program out there that I can download to create a higher resolution conversion? Is there someway I can make the conversion to one of the files listed above higher? or am I right in thinking that the problem lies with the original .pdf conversion? I need to get a banner poster done by next weekend so I was hoping to get this issue resolved over this weekend. Most of the information on the file is just pure text and gradient fills. I even tried removing the three head shots to see if the photos were the problem...but nope.
Is there any way to improve the video performance on my iBook G3 (600mhz, 640MB RAM, 16MB VRAM)? I find that besides not being able to play any of the HD trailers at Apple's website (even 480p), it can't even seem to play a standard trailer without stutterring. Is there anything I can do to improve the video performance?
I'm running W7 ultimate on a Rev. A MBA. I'm looking for some tips on improving performance in Bootcamp.
Here is what I have done so far: - Installed latest BC drivers (3.1) - Defragged windows partition - Disabled hibernate function (to save HDD space) - Installed all updates from Windows Update - Disabled (some) of the Aero eye candy - Disabled unnecessary services (ala Blackviper's site) - Disabled unnecessary startup programs
EDIT: - Disabled Index Service - Disabled Windows Search
My main reason for wanting to do this is that I'm having some issues when playing MP3s in WMP. They play fine until I say, launch Firefox. Doing so causes the playing MP3 to skip, or temporarily become garbled. I assume this is due to taxing the HDD, but since upgrading to an SSD is currently not an option, I'm trying to squeeze as much performance out of the system as I can.
My home WiFi network is currently very unstable. I'm working to improve it and looking for a little advice. This is a little long but I'm trying to provide as much relevant info as possible. First, I have Comcast cable internet performance package (6mbps). My internet speeds vary from about 3-10mbps. I use the Comcast provided cable modem (rented). From the cable modem I run a cable directly into an Airport Express 802.11b/g to create my home wifi network. I have a usb printer attached to the Airport Express for network printing. I have a second Airport Express on the other side of the house used to expand the network and pump music into my home stereo via air tunes.
I use my network for general internet surfing, airtunes streaming to my home stereo, and itunes and bittorrent downloading. No gaming or other speed intensive applications especially within the home network. I have two problems - the internet drops out and requires a reset very often - at least once a day and the airtunes is very unstable. For the internet problem, I thought it was the Comcast internet but I've checked the quality of the cable signal and removed all unnecessary splitters, etc and it still happens. I think the problem is my Airport express. For the Airtunes problem, this clearly seems to be an Airport express problem. I'm thinking of going to a Linksys WRT54GL 802.11b/g as my primary wireless router and purchasing a cable modem (to save money in the long run over renting.)
Here are my questions: 1) Based on my usage and my current Comcast internet package, my understanding is that 802.11b/g is fine for me. Is this correct? I don't think I need or could benefit from the 300mbps speed of a N network. 2) Can I still use the airport express for airtunes and printing on the Linksys WRT54GL 802.11b/g network? 3) Regarding the cable modem, is there any advantage to getting a more expensive DOCSIS 3.0 modem such as Motorola SURFboard SB6120? I've read that some people see significant improvements in their speed even if they have a slower internet service.
my Mac Pro has a very weak wireless connectivity � 4-10% packet loss on average, so I want to try to upgrade it's Airport antennae (I've had the same issues on my PC before I bought Mac Pro, I fixed them by upgrading the antenna).
Does anyone have any experience with external antennae for the built-in Mac Pro Airport card?
What are the plugs in Airport called? (RP-SMA � is that right?)
Are there any converters to RP-TNC, so I could plug a normal external PC antenna? Will there be any problems?
I am a newbie to Macs. Wanted to know whether or not do we need to install a separate security software for this system (Antivirus, Internet Security, etc)
Some good image editors (free)
And an alternative to Corel Draw Suite on Mac.
A free or paid download manager like IDM for windows.
Any must haves for macs (as are for windows)
Now my transition from the PC to the Mac has made my life really peaceful which was not the case when I used Windows with all the updates, pop ups, antivirus and security management, updation, and system maintenance.
Therefore to make it a bit messy i started googling around for applications and stuff which I would never actually require but would install and tinker around with. I was really confused with the various sources available. Kindly mention a few reliable and updated sources and forums where I could post my Mac specific queries and issues (if there are any) like installing Windows in conjunction with OS X etc.
I have a 2010 MBP with all the trimmings except for a SSD drive. I've been looking at some options but can't seem to figure out what a good brand is since I've never owned/used a SSD before and, therefore, don't know what a good vs crappy brand is. Can anyone recommend a good SSD brand? Also, are there any limitations/restrictions within Mac OS X as far as as size in concerned? So, for example, if I were to get a 1TB SSD drive (I wish) would OS X not recognize it due to its size or is this a non issue?
I have a iMac 2GHZ PowerPC G5 and the SuperDrive has gone out for the second time and it is now out of the 90-day warranty. The original equipment is the MATSHITADVD-R UJ-845, but it seems to have been made in China by slave labor and gives more problems than any other single component of the iMac. Do you have any suggestions or insights about how to deal with this and/or replace it? Do you have any inside knowledge about updates to the current replacement hardware or anything like that? It's not that I don't want to take the iMac down to the Apple Store for the fix, it is more an issue of dependability and component longevity. My PC gaming rig is three years old and the CD/DVD-ROM has given no problems whatsoever while the iMac is less than a year old and has had the same component go out twice. (Background on the machine -- Machine Name: iMac G5, Machine Model: PowerMac8,2, CPU Type: PowerPC G5 (3.0), Number Of CPUs:1, CPU Speed: 2 GHz, L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB, Memory: 1 GB, Bus Speed:667 MHz, ATA Bus: MATSHITADVD-R UJ-845, Model: MATSHITADVD-R UJ-845, Revision: DBN9, Detachable Drive: No)
I am looking for some suggestions for a projector that will run, and hook up smoothly on the Air. I don't need top of the line, but maybe around $700.00 is in the budget so far. I want to be able to show keynote presentations, website demos, and maybe some shorter video clips as well.
PS: I did some digging and wondered if the Optoma EP7150 was a good bet. The street price is around 800.00 (but I found a few that were around 500), and there is a newer model out now so the price should be dipping). 2.8 lbs, 2500:1 contrast ratio, 2,000 lumens... and XGA output. Anyone have any experience with this one?
I recently bought a 15.4� MacBook Pro and am looking for a smart briefcase for my machine. I travel on work frequently and most of my trips are overnight. I would ideally like something that can be expanded, if necessary, to accommodate a pair of clothes. Also, I want to spend minimum time at airport security and want my briefcase to be TSA checkpoint friendly guidelines compliant. Needless to say, it should have lots of pockets to organize my files, power cord, USB drive, business cards, headphones, etc. Does anyone know of a good quality luggage manufacturer that makes such expandable briefs? I don�t mind spending money for a high quality product and a customer service to match.
Like the title says, what are your guy's suggestions for 500GB Internal HDD? I don't mind having 5,400 or 7,200rpm and the cache size (16MB would be enough for me). I read from other people's posts that some HDDs have slower boot time, more power consumption, drive failure, not booting, etc etc.
What is the perfect internal HDD 500GB for Mac? The only one I know is WD Blue Scorpio [URL] but I don't know if it's available around where I live.I am planning to partition 400GB for Mac & 100GB for Windows XP.
I've had a desktop Mac for about two years. I also just purchased a 13 inch pro for college. Lately I noticed that on the search bar in safari, it no longer shows suggested searches. It shows my recent searches, but no longer displays common or popular searches. My default search is google, and it is happening both on my new pro and my desktop.
I am a freelance video producer and I am trying to take video screen shots for a tutorial. However, when I begin typing anything in for a URL, Safari lists not only frequent sites I visit, but also my current history. I have tried using "private browsing" but it still continues to list everything I've been to once I type "www", which doesn't make any sense. Is there any option to disable it, or do I have to back to using Chrome?
Just curious as to whether or not there is a consensus on a recommended hard drive other than an SSD or the Seagate Momentus XT hybrid? I received my new 2010 13" MBP yesterday and installed a new 500GB Seagate Momentus XT into the unit. Off of a clean install of OS X, the system worked fine. I did the obligatory software update to 10.6.5 as well as four other updates and it never got past the grey boot up screen. Couldn't get past that no matter what I tried.
So unfortunately, this has soured by tastebuds on the Seagate. There have been numerous posts about issues with this HDD on Newegg.com and I knew that going in, so I'm not looking to particularly rehash it. I tried, it didn't work, time to move on. It will go back. I'm not interested in paying the steep price for performance that an SSD involves. I would prefer to have the additional capacity (320GB+). That said, are there any particular recommendations for a reliable, fast 500GB HDD for my new MBP? Or is it more of a situation where they're all with 1-2% of each other? The unit with most/best reviews seems to be the Seagate Momentus 7200.4. I'm still a little bit bitter about Seagate at the moment, but I'm willing to keep an open mind.
I Installed Safari 4.0.3 but for some reason the Google Suggestions drop down menu is no longer disabled and appears on top of Inquisitor. This is annoying because I prefer to use Google UK.
Does anyone know how to disable Google suggestions in Safari 4.0.3 or as a work around make Safaris default search engine Google UK?
I got my MacBook 3 years ago this past december. I had the 3 year protection plan, and of course it expired about 3 weeks ago. Yesterday, my earbuds werent working. They were ancient ipod ones so i figured they were done. I tried my new skullcandy ones, same problem. It sounded crackly, and the audio would cut in and out. It reminded me of an old CD player i had where the jack went bad on it. I tried pulling the plug in and out, a few times i saw the red LED inside of it flash twice as i pulled it out. I tried putting the end of a match inside and slowly turning it, but no luck. In system preferences it shows it switching to headphones, but no sound is coming out of them-not even the normal low hiss you hear from them being on. External speakers work as soon as they're removed.
I called Apple, of course they can't do much if you aren't under warranty- I reset my PRAM and everything, still nothing. I called a mac repair person, he said on my model macbook (Late 2006), the entire logic board would need to be replaced in order for the headset jack to be fixed. I got this answer from another person as well, this would probably run about $500. So as you can guess, I'm pretty frustrated. This was an expensive machine, and as a college student i need headphones to work on my computer. My question now is two fold:.............
how do i get rid of all of the email or login suggestions when logging onto a website? for example, when logging into facebook, tumblr, or twitter, there are multiple email suggestions that pop up. i dont want multiple emails to pop up especially since i only use one. how can i get rid of these?
I have the Moshi Palmguard/Trackpad cover on my Black MacBook and would like to now protect the keyboard as well. I don't want those shiny marks to start showing up on my space bar. I searched the forums but didn't find any solid suggestions. Can my fellow Blackbook users point me to something I won't regret purchasing?
I have been looking around the forums but came up empty handed. I was wondering what good free photoshop(like) programs there are. All I literally want to be able to do is get two separate photos and put them side by side and export them as one photo. Basically I want to make a wallpaper. I've heard about GIMP but is that what I want? Is there a more basic photo editor?
Can someone recommend a screen cleaner that I can buy? The one I am currently using leaves marks from the microfiber/lint free towel I use once the solution dries.
Finally the new iMac have dropped - what would be the MacRumors suggestion for general family video editing? Essentially I just want to be able to edit some family videos, create some DVDs on iDVD and not have it cug on me. Will the Nvidia 9400M suffice or do I need the ATI 4670?
We've been meaning to buy a new external hard drive to house all of our project work for a while now.
Ideally we would like something that we can plug into our router and access from our homes as well, or at the very least, one which is capable of multiple direct connections.
We've looked at Western Digital options as our typical choice, but I can't seem to see whether the latest mac compatible line-up have those options we want:
[URL]
Can you guys recommend any external storage you use?
