PowerBook 550c

[KnobsNSwitches]

There seems to be some voodoo with CF cards. I'd suggest to go smaller in size, 1 GB like your (glacial) microdrive, or even less (just to try).

I ran into something similar with my 2400 and a PCMCIA-CF adapter. No matter what I did, I could not get any variant of Mac OS higher than 8.1 to install on an 8 gig card or a 1 GB card. And on that card, even once the OS was installed,  couldn't copy files back to the CF card without a system freeze. Switching to a 512 meg card avoided all such problems, and I can boot off the CF card in 8.5 and copy files and so on. All were name brand cards, same PCMCIA adapter, I couldn't figure it out, but hey, it's working now. 

 

[Charadis]

Strange, I was thinking the SCSI IDE adapter is suspect to being picky itself. Maybe it’s your PCMCIA adapter that is also picky?  :wacko:

I also thought about card size being issue, but as Byrd reported above, it sounds like maybe he got a 16GB to work in his? If I have to drop down to 1GB CF, then I will! But I’m hoping to figure out a way around this voodoo 

 

[Byrd]

No issues here with a Sandisk Extreme 16GB CF card and a single slot generic 2.5" to CF adapter.  Board I have could be a later revision ... possible, it's an Apple branded ACARD model.

 

[techknight]

I think it all depends on how much of the ATA standard, and what parts of it that each CF card cares to emulate. 

I bet that has alot to do with it. 

 

[Charadis]

No issues here with a Sandisk Extreme 16GB CF card and a single slot generic 2.5" to CF adapter.  Board I have could be a later revision ... possible, it's an Apple branded ACARD model.

That might be the issue with mine, if it is an earlier version. Or probably some variation between my ADTX adapter from your ACARD. 

I think it all depends on how much of the ATA standard, and what parts of it that each CF card cares to emulate. 

I bet that has alot to do with it. 

I was thinking this might have something to do with it. I got the 2GB Transcend 133x CF card on Friday, but installing it yielded no change; it does not even show up. I even partitioned it on my WallStreet into two partitions, and it is still not recognized. Instead, a green light flashes on the CF->IDE adapter while it is connected to the 550c. 

Since it seems that size is not the issue (up to 8GB at least, from reports on other forums on the ADTX adapter), I've ordered a SiliconDrive 4GB CF made for  industrial embedded applications and will see what happens. I may order a few more CF-form-factor drives cards/drives, probably another Seagate ST1 as the 2.5GB I have is recognized, but I really want something faster. Less latency. 

At this point, I'm just shot-gunning it now  <_<

 

[Charadis]

Finally. Found an SSD that couples with the ADTX perfectly! So the CF scene did not pan out well; the 4GB PATA Silicon Drive CF that I picked up had the same result as using the Transcend 4GB and 2GB CFs. No go. 

What did work was this SwissBit P120 4GB commercial PATA SSD. Installed on the ADTX IDE to SCSI adapter, put it all together, and boom! The system picked it up as soon as it scanned the BUS while on boot disk. The seller has plenty of these drives available, apparently, so I may pick another up! 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/142761312010?ViewItem=&item=142761312010

The major appeal for me in choose this was not only that it is less than 8GB and SSD, but that it also has older-style mounting holes that pair with the ADTX adapter perfectly. 



Here is the drive mounted on the ADTX adapter rails: 



And the fully initialized drive, appropriately named   



I have 8.6 running on it now. iTunes responds sooooo much better. I upped virtual memory to 100MB when using Classilla, routing virtual memory to CF mounted in the PCMCIA slot via an adapter (to save the hard drive), and it works pretty well.... not G3 speeds, but for this, I'm not going to complain too much  

 

[Charadis]

Pretty mid-sized update. The 550c finally found a new friend/brother/relative/distant cousin/brother-from-a-same-mother..w/e   



Picked up a 540c for 70 bucks shipped. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-PowerBook-500-Series-Notebook-Model-M4880-Great-cond-Runs-No-cord/162990598163?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649



Files from 1995-96 were still on the computer, the last files look like from 1998, but there seems to be misc files from "1904" which I assume were created after the PRAM battery failed...wiped the HDD already, so they're all gone! Right side hinge cover was busted when I received it, so I replaced it with one from the 520-turned-parts-machine that I have lying around. 

Also, picked up Mac OS 9.1 for about 65 shipped. I think it was worth it. The shop even included the original receipt, which I thought was kinda cool seeing the original price of 99.95. Now-a-days, we get our Mac OSes for free.







Found System 7 for really cheap, also. Disks still sealed.





And System 7.5. Not sealed. And 8.5. Sealed. And 10.1...not sealed but was sealed. Because. 



I'm still looking for Mac OS 8.1, 8.0 (floppy disk version), and an iTunes CD of 2.0.4 or earlier. 

Finally, I picked up a hardware accelerator card from a member here. Thanks to @twocargar my TAM now feels speedy. It's very refreshing, surfing the net on Classilla. I love it! 



Installed the latest software I found on the Macintosh repository site, and loaded up without a hitch. 



G3 powered, baby! 



Well, that's all the updates I have to post. The 300MHz Sonnet will hold me down for now, until I find something faster...I've already put up a WTB listing on a site, if you know where to find it  But I'm just going to enjoy the TAM for now. 

I do have a boxed Newton 2100 with manuals and software/packaging, but I haven't had time to pull it out and snap some pics - that will be next time, I guess. It may be trading-fodder someday to acquire some more desired items on my list, so I haven't really considered it part of my "permanent collection," yet. I'm trying not be get too overwhelmed with new toys since I'm about to move! So, until next time. Paz

 

[Byrd]

Nice haul!  The 550C and 540C you'll have to network together and play Marathon/Bolo on.

The difference in speed between L2 G3 accelerators is meagre - think 5 - 10% per 100Mhz increment - so 300Mhz is probably good enough.

 

[Charadis]

Nice haul!  The 550C and 540C you'll have to network together and play Marathon/Bolo on.

The difference in speed between L2 G3 accelerators is meagre - think 5 - 10% per 100Mhz increment - so 300Mhz is probably good enough.

Thank you! Haha, I didn't know that. I've already tried Marathon on the 550c...I'm afraid the 540c might lag behind a tad  that doesn't quite resolve my question on how to play with only two hands and a set of eyes! 

I noticed the jump in performance was noticeable. There is a bit of lag when scrolling on Classilla using scroll wheel, and that was pretty much my main concern. If a 500MHz card would not cause a noticeable improvement, then I may invest my efforts into other acquisitions. I appreciate the input on the accelerators

 

[Charadis]

Soo excited, I won another PB 550c! Complete with box, software and manuals. Comes with a PCMCIA module in box! Don’t know if the module is a C, B, or A, but I hope it’s either B or A. I’d like to collect each revision. And a 100MHz (99MHz) PPC Card along with the original 33MHz 68040! 

Pics from the auction: 







Ended at 544.28 usd, 1usd=109.13 yen. Not including import and domestic shipping. Lower than I anticipated spending. 

The 550c itself is in working condition, but the LCD bezel is damaged. I’ll need to transplant an undamaged front bezel and brightness switch cover to make it whole again.



Sooo if anyone has a damaged 550c laying around and wants to make a nice sum of money (neg), or something else, watch for my official wtb listing coming up soon, or shoot me a msg pleeeeeeeaze!

and ty

 

[Bolle]

You crazy :O

Can you dump the ROM of the thing with the full 040 card installed?

There was a discussion about wether the ROM on the 550 is different from the other 500s in one of the homemade-full-040 CPU card hack threads somewhere.

 

[CC_333]

Wow!

c

 

[Charadis]

You crazy :O

Can you dump the ROM of the thing with the full 040 card installed?

There was a discussion about wether the ROM on the 550 is different from the other 500s in one of the homemade-full-040 CPU card hack threads somewhere.

Heh heh - I’ve often thought this, but you’ve confirmed one of my greatest fears  

Absolutely! I’ve never dumped anything before, but if you or someone walk me through it, I should be able to accommodate.

One thing I notice, when I install the cpu daughterboard of my 520 into my current 550c, the system does not boot - no happy Mac, and there are artifacts on the grey screen, like a broken piece of LCD on side among other artifacts. (I wanted to run the Lind battery program since it requires a 68k processor). Haven’t tried the 540c processor, yet, tho! 

Wow!

c

I’ve become a 500 series addict  

 

[Charadis]

Bust my crackerjacks. Two 550c PowerBooks in one day! Just found my “parts” machine, with a Buy It Now price of 20,000 yen (about 182 usd). Checked Yahoo! Auctions this afternoon for fun, and someone had just listed this nonpowering one: 

https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/en/auction/yahoo/input/c654191435/lgk-link_search

The body looks superb!! Now the issue, beside it not powering on... the underside has “Assembled in USA” printed. My current one is a “Assembled in Singapore.” I have no idea what my complete in box one has printed, but very likely it’s a Singapore model if I had to guess



It’s going to be very difficult cannabalizing this one, but I do need a parts machine. And, sometimes, we all have to make sacrifices!  :O

 

[CC_333]

Any chance you'd sell it's processor?

Would a 550 processor work in a 540c?

c

 

[Charadis]

Any chance you'd sell it's processor?

Would a 550 processor work in a 540c?

c

When I receive it, I can let you know for sure. I’m looking for a NUpowr upgrade card, specifically the 183c (183MHz w/ L2 cache). If this was not upgraded and has the stock processor, I’ll shoot you a pm

As far as compatibility, there was a recent auction with a 540c equipped with the 68040 from a 550c. Ive not heard of any compatibility issues

 

[CC_333]

OK.

I wish I could just buy one of these off you (the one that doesn't come in the original box?), but it'd likely be beyond my budget.

c

 

[Charadis]

OK.

I wish I could just buy one of these off you (the one that doesn't come in the original box?), but it'd likely be beyond my budget.

c

The next one I find, I can send ya a link! I’m done looking for 550c now, just the upgrade and PCMCIA module. 

These two might have been in your budget, but already sold: 

550c for 6900 yen (63.27 usd):

https://item.mercari.com/jp/m22458856028/

550c for 5000 yen (45.85 usd)

https://item.mercari.com/jp/m943014617/

i cry out of amusement every time I see those...but, I mean...who the heck uses Mercari anyways??  :tongue: :/  cry

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

I’ve become a 500 series addict  

Crazy, very definitely crazy.

 

[Charadis]

Crazy, very definitely crazy.

Here's to the crazy ones...