Forums | MacLife
You are not logged in.
#1 2005-03-26 1:09 am
- nivla
- Member
- Registered: 2005-03-24
- Posts: 22
Few questions re. 15" PowerBook 1.5GHz
New Mac user here. I purchased a used PowerBook 1.5 a few days ago, but did not get any restore CDs with it. I'd like to get a fresh build on this computer. Are the images for the restore CD on the hard drive so I can burn a copy? If not, what's the cheapest way of obtaining the installation CD with OS X Panther?
Also, the notebook has a small ding inside towards the corner. Is there a way to fix this? I thought of using some thermal compound, but if there are any other ideas, please share them.
Does Apple put out BIOS updates of any similar updates for these systems? Sorry if this is a silly question, but I'm pretty much a day one PC convert.
And finally, can I add 1 stick of 1GB memory to this notebook? There are currently (2) 256MB chips installed.
Thanks for any help.
Offline
#2 2005-03-26 3:32 am
- fatherfork
- Member
- Registered: 2004-12-31
- Posts: 506
Re: Few questions re. 15" PowerBook 1.5GHz
you can take out one of the ram sticks and put in a 1 gig one. As for your other questions, I'm not sure.
FF
Offline
#3 2005-03-26 3:57 am
- Moses
- Life is like a box of Cactuar
- From: The O.C.
- Registered: 2004-12-08
- Posts: 3094
Re: Few questions re. 15" PowerBook 1.5GHz
Ding: Don't press your luck. Let it be.
Or drop a Lava Lamp on it and have it be just like Moses' LavaLamp'd PowerBook.
I can only express puzzlement, which borders on alarm.
Offline
#4 2005-03-27 3:46 am
- joshnyberg
- Member
- Registered: 2005-02-19
- Posts: 17
- Website
Re: Few questions re. 15" PowerBook 1.5GHz
I have original install cd's for $40. They contain Panther, Classic, and various apps.
I would leave the ding alone, if it's not too bad. Apple releases updates all the time, which will be automatically installed after you restore, if you use Software Update.
Powerbook Repair Shop: parts and repairs at very reasonable prices.
http://www.powerbookrepairshop.com
Offline
#5 2005-03-27 4:56 am
- D'Eyncourt
- OMGDICTATOR
- Registered: 2001-12-27
- Posts: 8808
- Website
Re: Few questions re. 15" PowerBook 1.5GHz
Other World Computing (where I go for most of my on-line purchases) is offering a set of "universal" OS X installation DVDs for US$49.
Every now and again Apple will issue firmware upgrades for their various machines (though none have been issued for your PB yet). You should keep an eye on this page at Apple for various updates--for example: Apple recently released a security update which you should download and run AFTER downloading and running the 10.3.8 combo update (which is further down the above page) after you wipe and reinstall OS X (which probably will not be 10.3.8)
BOYCOTT SONY
"I think the question now is not whether you went to Vietnam or whether you didn't, whether you fought in the war or fought against the war. I think the only question is whether we can find a president smart enough never to make a mistake like that again"--Molly Ivins, way back in 1992
Offline
#6 2005-03-27 9:41 pm
- ed724
- Member
- Registered: 2005-03-17
- Posts: 141
Re: Few questions re. 15" PowerBook 1.5GHz
nivla wrote:
Does Apple put out BIOS updates of any similar updates for these systems? Sorry if this is a silly question, but I'm pretty much a day one PC convert.
Thanks for any help.
NO!! never have and probably never will. Although some of the classic machines actually had the BIOS on a SIMM, Apple never released any updates for these machines.
ed724
Offline
#7 2005-03-28 2:37 am
- smd3
- Member
- Registered: 2002-10-24
- Posts: 385
Re: Few questions re. 15" PowerBook 1.5GHz
nivla wrote:
New Mac user here. I purchased a used PowerBook 1.5 a few days ago, but did not get any restore CDs with it. I'd like to get a fresh build on this computer. Are the images for the restore CD on the hard drive so I can burn a copy? If not, what's the cheapest way of obtaining the installation CD with OS X Panther?
I'd leave it be for now. 10.4 will be out soon enough. 
nivia wrote:
Does Apple put out BIOS updates of any similar updates for these systems? Sorry if this is a silly question, but I'm pretty much a day one PC convert.
This has been answered, but I figured since you're converting I'll point out that it's not a BIOS on the Mac, you've got ROM/firmware.
Offline
#8 2005-03-28 5:18 am
- nivla
- Member
- Registered: 2005-03-24
- Posts: 22
Re: Few questions re. 15" PowerBook 1.5GHz
Thanks. I still want to restore and purchased a set of restore discs yesterday. The previous owner of this PB has too much junk on the system.
Offline
#9 2005-03-28 11:47 pm
- sevoneone
- HEADSHOT.
- From: San Francisco
- Registered: 2000-02-12
- Posts: 1927
Re: Few questions re. 15" PowerBook 1.5GHz
ed724 wrote:
nivla wrote:
Does Apple put out BIOS updates of any similar updates for these systems? Sorry if this is a silly question, but I'm pretty much a day one PC convert.
Thanks for any help.NO!! never have and probably never will. Although some of the classic machines actually had the BIOS on a SIMM, Apple never released any updates for these machines.
ed724
This is actually a little misleading. While firmware is not a BIOS, it is very similar in that it is basically what tells the computer how to work on a low hardware level. Apple releases firmware updates that are very specific to model and type, and generally no more than one or two in any given model's life time. If there are any firmware updates for your powerbook they will show up when you run software update.
Enjoy your new 'Book.
"...by an expert?"
"Worse, a committee of experts."
Offline
