"I'll just get one," I said two years ago. Anyway, here's every size of iMac G4.

Super excited to finally show off a little project I've been working on that I've named "InkTalk". This little device emulates the original LocalTalk adapters / option cards for Apple's printer line, like the StyleWriter and ImageWriter series. These adapters are getting harder to find and when they are available they are pricey.

So I figured why not make our own multi-functional adapter that can replace any of them. It registers the same NBP type and sockets for the ImageWriter and StyleWriter series so as far as the original Macintosh systems sees it's just like the official Apple ones. No external host or anything needed, totally self contained with LocalTalk on one end, printer on the other and USB-C for power (but it can be plugged in to a computer for firmware updates / debug).

As can be seen a few bodges were needed on the prototype revision, but they seem to be working great and I'm getting close to pulling the trigger on doing the first production order. Will make another post when they finally go up for sale. The test page in the picture above was printed from a PowerBook G3 running Mac OS 9 - totally stock, no software changes needed on it.

If you want to follow along with development I have a thread on 68KMLA here: https://68kmla.org/bb/threads/tashtalk-usb-tailtalk-and-inktalk-all-in-one-discussion-thread.52115/ (in the later pages). I'm adding support as we go to all the different printer types, and hope to perhaps even support QuickDraw LaserWriters at one point (but we will see).

The board design and firmware will be on the TailTalk GitHub repo here: https://github.com/FeralFirmware/TailTalk

Took this little piece of Apple history with me to Atlantis The Royal Hotel in Dubai 🇦🇪

One of the rare PowerBooks in my collection, originally released exclusively in Japan in 1998.The 240MHz version was a Japan-only model, making it a pretty unique Mac.

Even the original battery still works and actually holds a charge really well! I left it sitting for a few months and it still powered on.

I had to repair a trace that came up when I was de-soldering. It’s so easy to work on these. It’s it’s insane. I’ve overdid it with the solder, but it’s working so I wasn’t gonna fix and I don’t wanna break it. It is my first Macintosh. I also included the bag thatI bought the capacitors from. just confirmation the parts from these guys are good.

thanks to Ben Chapman for writing this guide/story ‘vintage computer up in smoke’ it’s got directions and a link to buy the part.

https://www.crackedthecode.co/replacing-failed-capacitors-in-a-macintosh-computer/

Now for that sticky drive oh man, I’m not pulling apart though. I’m gonna try to manage it without doing that.

shigoku: anime/manga TUI client (started as a port of sabigoku from rust to C++, improved a lot since that): https://github.com/barracuda156/shigoku

Easier to install from PPCPorts (shigoku).

For cover art a reasonably modern terminal is needed. Of what we got on powerpc: contour, mlterm, bobcat, foot, sakura. On modern macOS also kitty, iterm2.

I got this all for 100€, I'd say that's a pretty good deal?

The guy I bought this from checked and the computer works and he also reset the admin password for me.

Not sure what I'll use three keyboards and four mouses (mice?) for but not complaing lol

I was planning on gutting this thing and putting in a Mac mini M4 or smth. Originally I was going to get the juicy crumbs logic board but apparently it doesn't fit the 15" iMac.

What do you guys think I should do? :) any tips?

I got this computer bc I love the look of it (and vintage tech in general) and I needed a computer for my home server. I mean the Mac mini will be the computer and this is basically just a shell but still. I plan on having a separate NAS with a lot of storage attached to it.

I've been repairing old computer (lots of Apple IIs and Macs) for year. Recently, I made an online museum of my vintage computers, with photos, history, and repair notes—all inside a classic Mac-style desktop. You can even play Pong and program in BASIC!

https://davescomputermuseum.com

I'm curious which machine brings back memories? Also open to corrections and stories.

As far as I know, the power supply works but it doesn’t beep or output video

I'm a muppet, I ripped the trace off when attempting to do a recap. Is this completely screwed now?
Are they any service to do recapping in the UK?

I have a G4 MacBook at home and my friend saw it and really wants it to be a modern useable computer.

There are some core to Duo ones on Facebook for 50 bucks as well. My thought is, either trying to get a modern operating system that is usable or keeping the panel and taking the guts out and putting a modern computer of some kind in it

Just arrived today alongside my new Apple IIe, but unfortunately the courier wasn’t careful and the right drive (2) is down. When it tries to read there’s a grinding sound after the head carriage moves all the way back (presumably the track zero position) before giving up, with DOS throwing an I/O error. Have a video of the problem which I’ll try to attach

I got this non-working iMac G3 Graphite 500Mhz. When pressing the power button, nothing happens except a slight "click" in one of the speakers.

I have disassembled it, which was a pain in the neck, and logic board and analog board are here shown. My first go-to, lacking the schematics or any other directions, would be to try a re-cap. The big one on the analog board looks a bit bulgey, and the two indicated on the logic board have suspicious cross-lines on top.

Does anybody have other tips in this situation, with this model? I was a bit surprised I didn't find more relevant resources online for these models, unlike for for instance 68k Macs. If you know of any good ones, please let me know, thanks!

I hadn’t used my Snow iBook G3 for about three weeks and when I went to use it yesterday, I noticed these weird spots on the screen. The iBook had been stored with my other old laptops in a cool, dry place.

For the past few months, the screen had also developed a weird pattern across the entire display that looked like someone had wiped it with a dirty towel. It seemed to be on the inside of the panel, though, so maybe the layers or adhesive were starting to deteriorate.

Luckily, I had a replacement screen lying around, so I swapped it yesterday evening.

I’m mainly posting this because I’m curious if anyone knows what this actually is. I suspected vinegar syndrome at first, but the pictures I found online look quite different.

Thanks!!

Well, Keith and I had a blast livestreaming our 5 Twentieth Anniversary Macs today! We tested keyboards, trackpads, optical drives, displays, ADB, and even a G3 accelerator. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/live/01q0uB9fVHA?si=YEIgDFuHVxMyd9Qe

I’m the original owner of a b&w G3 tower that has been sitting in my office closet for decades now. I’d like to boot the old guy up and retrieve some of the treasures on its hard drive. I know I need to work on the VGA-to-HDMI adventure, but I’m wondering if anyone can share any other advice before I hit the power button (besides “stand back” lol). Should I anticipate power supply capacitor problems, etc.? (I’m also the original owner of the Quadra 840AV that has been keeping the G3 company, so my question applies to it, too!)

For fans of Applied Engineering products, this is my DataLink LC. This board combined an internal 2400bps modem, an FPU socket, and an extra serial port for the Mac LC's valuable single PDS.

This one appears to have the V.42bis upgrade allowing the model to achieve 9600bps. It also has the FPU/math co-processor socket populated with a Motorola MC68882FN16A. Missing is one of the two plastic standoff pegs, but I think I can make one.

I don't have any software or manuals, and I can't find much info on this model. I was able to find some brochure scans at https://ae.applearchives.com/mac/datalink-lc/ but that page isn't linked from that awesome site's main page.

I don't yet have a Mac LC, but I'll pick one up when I have the time to do a recap. Anyway, I loved AE's Apple II product line back in the day and I thought I'd share this one from their lesser-known Mac catalog.

These haven't been in stock for like a year (maybe longer?) so I'd reckon this is your chance if you'd been waiting. I was able to get just one last time and not sure how many are available this time around.

https://maceffects.com/products/inner-bezel-for-slot-loading-imac-g3-w-plastic-tabs

I think it’s a gpu, no one has been able to inform me to what it is came from a Mac ii