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PowerBook G3 Lombard

John8520

Well-known member
I've been out of the old mac game for a long time (years.) Was digging through craigslist late yesterday, as you do on a Friday night, and I lucked into finding a PowerBook G3 listed at $65, not far away. Pictures suggested a Pismo or Lombard (eventually narrowed to a Lombard as it says "Macintosh PowerBook G3" under the screen, Pismos just say "PowerBook") and there was no other description listed other than the fact that it had a password that the seller didn't know. 

Given that the Lombard is my favorite PowerBook ever, and I gave away my last one about 8 years ago, I figured I should jump on this one - contacted the seller, he still had it, drove out and picked it up today. Managed to talk him down to $40, too. Got the unit, a yoyo PSU with an older style plug spliced on (so I'll be needing a new PSU..), and a musty old swissgear case. 

Here are some pictures: http://imgur.com/a/dciKy

Luckily, it's the 400MHz model, and in great shape. Has a 128MB SODIMM on top of the base 64, and the past owner had installed Panther onto an upgraded drive (20GB travelstar) which I promptly replaced with a 4GB CF card with 9.2.2. The battery holds some charge, not sure how much, probably less than 30 minutes. Missing all but one foot so that needs to be straightened out, and unfortunately it does have the typical crack between the trackpad and trackpad button. It also belonged to a smoker at some point, because while the outside case is clean, there's definitely a lingering smell under the hood. 

Overall I'm pretty pleased. Short term plans include finding an 8 or 16GB CF card (have one laying about somewhere), putting a spacer under the keyboard (I forgot it rests on the HDD on the top right corner, who does that?), and upping it to 512MB RAM because I should have two 256MB SODIMMs around here somewhere, getting a new PSU, and cleaning up the smell a bit. Any suggestions for that last part?

 

just.in.time

Well-known member
Disassemble the entire computer. Wipe down all plastics with a damp cloth. Use compressed air to blast away any dust on electrical components, vents, heat sinks etc. Basically get the thing as clean as possible. Then lay it out and give it time to air out. Patience basically. Maybe after a week or two I'm sure you will want to use it. So go ahead and reassemble it, but when not in use make sure to leave it out on a desk or counter with the lid open. Over time the smell will fade.

Side note, is be careful with removing the keyboard too many times. My Lombard 333 went through two keyboards in the time that I had it (~6 years ago I sold it), with both times being a failure of the ribbon cable that attaches it to the logic board. Only machine I've ever had with that problem.

 

John8520

Well-known member
Thanks for the tips, I appreciate it. So far I've done a few wipe downs, and that has helped significantly. I also popped the keyboard off and situated a small desk fan to blow through the internals there, and that has made a huge difference. I think just leaving it out and open for the past couple of days has made the most difference. The smell is almost entirely unnoticeable now. 

Unfortunately I believe that the bag it came with is probably ruined. The foam seems to be pretty well and saturated with that smell. I may try and run it through the washer just to see if that helps - if it ruins the bag, nothing lost, if it works, well then I have a new case. 

 
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