Cube for $20!

[jongleur]

< snip >

Yes, speakers for the Cube have a USB amp/adapter as the Cube did not have any audio-out jack. The other type are the PowerMac speakers that use a micro jack, and are relatively cheap to pick up on eBay.

If you want to, have a look at http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/apple-desktops/223749-g4-speakers-adapter.html#post1346059 if you want to convert from the micro jack to a standard 3.5mm

 

[CC_333]

If you want to, have a look at http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/apple- ... ost1346059 if you want to convert from the micro jack to a standard 3.5mm

Hmm. That looks interesting! I didn't realize it was quite that simple.
I have two pairs, the first I'd like to keep as is, because I am currently using them on a Power Mac with the relevant plug, so there's no need to mess with them. The other set's cord is way too short, so this would be an opportunity to lengthen it a bit.

Even more non-destructive would be to figure out some sort of adapter to which one can plug the speakers, and the other end is a standard 3.5mm plug, without any cutting done to the speaker's cord, keeping them completely stock.

I have a dead QuickSilver logic board, so maybe I can figure out how that jack works and use it to make this hypothetical adapter?

c

 

[jongleur]

I have two pairs, the first I'd like to keep as is, because I am currently using them on a Power Mac with the relevant plug, so there's no need to mess with them. The other set's cord is way too short, so this would be an opportunity to lengthen it a bit.

The pair with the short cable would've come from an iMac, and the longer cable from a PowerMac. The iMac version's short cable keeps the desktop uncluttered by "excess" cable, but makes it painful for use on a PowerMac.

Finding a commercially available extension cable is going to be difficult, as they weren't easy to find when Apple was selling the ProSpeaker. Best bet is to do a DIY hack to 3.5mm on a spare set of speakers. 2.5mm micro jack extensions are available, but they won't fit the Apple "designed" plug. Hackery is going to be involved somewhere, might as well just go the 3.5mm route.

 

[CC_333]

The pair with the short cable would've come from an iMac, and the longer cable from a PowerMac.

I figured as much when I got them, although I speculated that the pair with the short cord came from a cube, but that uses special USB ones. Whatever...

Finding a commercially available extension cable is going to be difficult, as they weren't easy to find when Apple was selling the ProSpeaker.

I am definitely going to try making my own.

Best bet is to do a DIY hack to 3.5mm on a spare set of speakers. 2.5mm micro jack extensions are available, but they won't fit the Apple "designed" plug. Hackery is going to be involved somewhere, might as well just go the 3.5mm route.

Right. I was going to take the 2.5mm jack from my dead QS board and use that to attach a longer cord with a 3.5mm plug at the other end, without doing any cutting of the speaker's cable, making it completely reversible.
c

p.s. I'm sorry if I've hijacked this thread.

 

[jongleur]

I like the QS salvage for the socket, and some heat shrink and Sugru would finish it of nicely.

 

[CC_333]

I like the QS salvage for the socket, and some heat shrink and Sugru would finish it of nicely.

Exactly!
What is "Sugru"?

c

 

[TheMacGuy]

Ok, I'm still trying to find away to replace the the rubber around the speaker without having to remove the actual speakers. Main part of the power cord will be here on Wednesday and the 2nd should be here by the beginning for next week (1st being the plug from the computer and the 205W box, Part 2 being the part that looks like a standard desktop power cord that runs from the box to the wall). Guess I'm going to have use some donor parts from my old HP. I could find the original Apple cable, but when I saw an unboxing on YouTube, the cord looked almost like the cord that went the G3 iMac. Either which way, I will be happy (or mad) once I get to chance to test this bad boy. Updates to follow!

 

[jongleur]

What is "Sugru"?

Sugru is pure amazingness. http://sugru.com/ Where can't you use it!

 

[TheMacGuy]

UPDATE #4: Mail came and the only part in it was the 2nd part of the power cord from the 205W box to the wall. Looks like standard desktop tower power cable. I re-read the auction details on the main part of the power cord and it sounds like it comes with the original Apple cord from the converter box to the wall. We will see. It should be here tomorrow. If not, there is something wrong at the post office.

 

[mcdermd]

Wait - did it say "power cord" or "power supply"? The "power cord" would be white with a clear plug. The "power supply" will be the big brick with cheese grater holes in it.

 

[TheMacGuy]

Power supply will be here tomorrow, the 3rd party power cord came today. But after reading the eBay auction for the power supply, it sounds like the original power cord maybe included too.

 

[TheMacGuy]

Another interesting thing, my Cube says "Assembled in the USA" while others I have seen said "Assembled in Singapore" or something else. Very strange.

 

[mcdermd]

I have an iMac G3 from around that time period that was "Assembled in USA" also. Maybe they were remanufatured?

 

[TheMacGuy]

I don't know. The Cubes were/are so sparse, I doubt any got remanufactured. Thanks to a serial number decoder, I was able to obtain this info:

Serial number: XA0440***** (covered for protection)

Model Number: M7642

Group1: PowerMac

Group2: G4

Generation: 4

Machine Model: PowerMac5,1

Model introduced: 2000

Production year: 2000

Production week: 44 (November)

Production number: 48 (within this week)

CPU speed: 450MHz

Memory - flavour: PC100-L-100

Memory - maximum total: 1.5GB

Memory - largest module: 512MB

Factory: XA (ElkGrove/Sacramento, California)

The Cube came out in July of 2000, so I think this one was manufactured a little to early to remanufactured or even refurbished.

 

[mcdermd]

Elk Grove is where all of the reman stuff ships from these days.

My Cube was assembled in Singapore.

EDIT: some info on the history of the Elk Grove campus

 

[TheMacGuy]

I'm confused. When did the plant turn into a refurb factory? That also explains why my refurbed iPad came from an Elk Grove address.

 

[LCGuy]

I have two slot load iMacs -a Summer 2000 and an Early 2001....they were both built in Taiwan. I haven't seen a Mac from Singapore since....the Platinum era? *shrugs*

 

[TheMacGuy]

I haven't seen a Mac from Singapore since....the Platinum era? *shrugs*

Weird, very weird.

Anyway, on a (semi) good note, I browsed thru eBay and found the original power cord that runs from the converter box to the wall. Cord is white and the ends are translucent. For $10, I splurged. Total investment is up to $75. Not as much as I would have liked to spend, but still cheaper then the price of a working Cube on eBay. I can return the power supply even if the computer doesn't work and get my $40 back, but I'm stuck with the Apple power cable, but I can use it with an iMac G4. Even if it Cube doesn't work, I'm keeping it. I will feel much better when I know that it either works or doesn't, and its not in my brain 24/7. HOPEFULLY, USPS doesn't mess up again and say that its going to be delivered tomorrow and never does (like today). Typically, (knock on wood) my mail lady comes in the morning, around 10ish. So, I will hopefully know by tomorrow early and won't have to wait all day.

 

[jsarchibald]

I have two Cubes - one made in the US, one made in Singapore, so it sounds right.

 

[TheMacGuy]

UPDATE #4: I think the Cube tried to kill me.

I wake up and sitting on my door step is a Priority Mail shipping box. Seeing how it was San Jose address, I knew it was my Cube power cord. So I grabbed it, and went out to my mailbox to get the mail. I walk in, go get the Cube, monitor, and my eMac's keyboard and mouse and set it up in my kitchen. I plug in the power supply to the Cube, then the power cord to a standard 120W US wall outlet (not a surge protector, straight into the wall). It made a "pop" noise. I tried turning on the monitor, nothing happened. Tried turning on the Cube. Almost instantaneously, I smell this very weird and potent smell, and unplug the power cord from the power supply. As soon as I return to a normal sitting position, the Cube starts emitting a white smoke. 8-o Not wanting to burn down my house, I quickly pull out the power adapter from the Cube, then the monitor cable (ADC cable). What could have caused this? I'm afraid to lift the guts of the machine out of the acrylic case thinking that its going to burst into flames. Please help.

PS: Yes, I'm fine and the Cube didn't cause any harm or damage to me, my friends (who where here) or my house.