Mac Users, Advice for G4 upgrade please

[Karin Sue]

It has become increasingly frustrating to surf w/system 9 and ie5 so I am finally committed to upgrading.

Power Mac G4 (AGP)
30 G Harddrive
dual processor 450mhz
256 RAM (2 x 128 SDRAM)
Mac OS 9.2.2
Internal Zip Drive
USB Floppy Drive
CRT Apple Studio Display

Since I can’t afford to upgrade all my OS9 programs and need OSX mostly for web surfing it has been suggested that I may be better off getting a newer used Mac to use just for that than upgrading my G4. Thoughts?

This is my current plan for upgrading my G4. Any advice or comments?

I want a dual boot so I can keep running my old programs. It crashed awhile back and Illustrator has not worked since so I am thinking a reformat and fresh install of everything might be in order.

1) Make sure my most important docs are backed up on floppies/zips in case there is a problem with my current hard drive during the upgrade. (I am really bad at keeping good backups)

2) Dig up all my installation disks.

3) Take computer to store:
a) add new hard drive, leave old drive as is as secondary drive
b) add as much RAM as I can afford
b) add cd/dvd write drive
c) add usb 2.0
d) Tiger OSX on new drive

4) Make sure I can get online to ask questions (maybe I need to do this before I leave the store)

5) Test my applications to see which ones will run under Tiger.
Once I have my drive with Tiger can I just navigate to the old drive and doubleclick an application to test?

6) Reformat my old drive:
a) move documents to the new drive.
b) reformat old drive
c) reinstall OS 9 from original system disk
d) update to 9.2.2, add back fonts, etc.
d) consider how I want my harddrives arranged and move docs accordingly.

7) Reinstall applications from installation disks--I assume I would install OS9 applications while running under OS9 and OSX applications while running under X?

Major Software:
Adobe
Acrobat 4
Photoshop 6
Illustrator 9
Pagemaker 6.5
Photoshop Elements 2
Macromedia
Fireworks 3
Flash 5
Dreamweaver 3
Microsoft Office 2001
Entourage 9.0.1
Word 9.0.1
Excel 9.0.1
Powerpoint 9.0.1
Virtual PC 3.0

[bnk1953]

Things that I have done w/ my G4 tower - new processor w/ 1.2 Ghz (from OWC), 2 new hard drives internal (again from OWC) with new card to run those, added as much memory as the machine will hold. Added new CD/DVD burner (again OWC). External 500 Gig harddrive for backups. Used 20" apple monitor (LCD) with new card to drive it (thru eBay). Of course I've done this over the last 5 years - the comp is 9 yrs old. I've spread the expense out.
You seem to be looking to do A LOT updating in a short time. I'm not sure if it is cost productive to do that or to get new software on a newer machine.
Sorry to say but 9.x is very very old and no longer supported. There have been rumors that the new Mac OS coming out next year may not be compatible with Power Mac G4's. I wish you well in your decisions - but at sometime you are going to have to "bite the bullet" and get latest. At least that's my opinion.
~bruce.

[frank abramonte]

I understand that you can run classic mode with Tiger. This should allow you to use all your old apps.
Specs for your G4 mac here (450Mhz is rather slow):
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powermac_g4/stats/powermac_g4_450.html

I would price out all the improvements your planning on making before spending the money. You may find that it's possible to buy a new Mini Mac (1.83GHz) with faster processor. Just make sure you get one that still ships with Tiger installed, so you can run your old apps. I don't think Leopard supports Classic Mode.
Mini Mac $569.00 free shipping.
Ask if they have one with Tiger, and that it can support Classic mode. Also let them know which monitor you have and that it can run on the Mini Mac. They should be able to advise you.
http://www.macmall.com/macmall/families/macmini_intel/

[Karin Sue]

As much as I would like a new new computer that is going to have to wait. Whether or not I get a newer used computer I will continue to use my old programs on OS9 on my G4. I have read that dual boot works better than using classic under X so that is what I will do.

I have some emails out to a couple of local mac shops for quotes. It looks like it would cost about $300-$600 to upgrade. If I can find a good used laptop running tiger for not too much I may limit my G4 upgrade to RAM and use the laptop for internet.

Thanks for your comments and suggestions.

[frank abramonte]

[QUOTE=Karin Sue;386163]I have read that dual boot works better than using classic under X so that is what I will do.

I have read that dual boot works better than using classic under X so that is what I will do.

I was reluctant in upgrading to X for fear on how it would affect my old OS9 apps.
I had QuarkXPress 4, Photoshop 3, Illustrator 4, MS Office 2004 and Quicken.
I ran classic with Panther for 2 years and didn't notice any slow down or problems running my old apps since they were running in OS9.
Soon as you launch one of your old apps it automatically launches OS9.
You can leave OS9 running along with X all the time and it will automatically switch depending on the apps you are using.
When you install Tiger it will create a folder on your drive called OS9. All your OS9 software will be in this folder. It will also place a OS9 icon on the top bar along with the date and time. You can click on this icon to launch OS 9.
If you have Tiger installed on your present computer make sure they give you copies of the OS cds, preferably retail copies that can be installed on any mac. Presently they are selling for almost $200.

One last suggestion is to post your question on Apple Discussion for guidance by some real knowledgeable contributors. You will have to register to post a question, but it's just like Elements no obligations.
http://discussions.apple.com/index.jspa

Post in both
Mac OS X v10.3 Panther & earlier
Mac OS 9

[Karin Sue]

Thankyou Frank

My Mac skills are quite rusty. Not too long after I got my G4 life happened and I ended up spending most of my time on Windows 98 and xp machines.

My MacOSX for dummies book suggests that if I have 2 drives I should install OS 9 on both of them. The one on the same drive as OSX to run as classic and the other to boot from when I need peripherals that won't run on classic. It is all quite confusing.

I have been at the Apple discussion group, I went with the G4 forum. They recommended usb 2.0, a bigger hard drive and more RAM. I am asking questions far and wide. This group can be a little less technical in their explanations.

Good to know your OS 9 applications ran well in classic. Why is Tiger up to $200? I thought the price would drop after Leopard. The mac store that has responded to me gave a quote of $40 no disks, and $145 with disks for Tiger.

I am hoping this local maconly shop has someone good at explaining things.

Thanks for your help.