Bought an iBook for $7. Now what?

[bobesch]

A eyoungren already stated the iBook doesn't have a PRAM battery. It'll lose system settings with a faulty or discharged main battery.

Read the thread.

Ah, thanks for making that clear.
Didn't get the clue, even when Erik mentioned that before.

I really thought there was a tiny thing (with a name I didn't care about until now ... ) inside the iBooks, which is powering the time/date-setting, whenever the main battery is removed. (like within the PowerBooks ... https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/PowerBook+G4+Aluminum+15-Inch+1.67+GHz+PRAM+Battery+Replacement/635 )
Well, I also didn't care about replacing that dead PRAM-battery in my PBs too, since a new main-battery is doing nearly the same job.

 

[AmazingHenry]

I'd use it as my main laptop with a fabulous Leopard + Debian(or the best working Linux distro for it) installation.

If you use it only sometimes you could always get a USB/Bluetooth controller and make it your retrogaming machine!

As regards the price.... Well, it's such a great deal, even if you are in the US! Here in Italy I would have to pay at least 60€ (about 67$) to get a working one.

Yeah, in use mine as my main portable (well, it shares the job with my iPad mini anyway) and it's really nice. With tweaks, Leopard runs well. LWK is an amazing browser. And with the PPCAppStote, there's tons of great apps that you can get.

 

[Adamscomputerrepair]

I finished installing everything around 1:30 this morning. Today, I’ll put some apps on. Though not many, because again I plan on replacing that hard drive
[doublepost=1497793857][/doublepost]Another thing: I discovered Roccat still opens/uploads to iCloud Drive. I know someone mentioned a jailbreak/ifile to move files. I’m just gonna go with 50 gigs of iCloud storage and use the new files app in iOS 11. Also, I have a classic iPod for music that already works for PowerPC. I have all of my music backed up to a 128 gig flash drive and I access it if needed on my PowerBook.

 

[bobesch]

I finished installing everything around 1:30 this morning. Today, I’ll put some apps on. Though not many, because again I plan on replacing that hard drive
[doublepost=1497793857][/doublepost]Another thing: I discovered Roccat still opens/uploads to iCloud Drive. I know someone mentioned a jailbreak/ifile to move files. I’m just gonna go with 50 gigs of iCloud storage and use the new files app in iOS 11. Also, I have a classic iPod for music that already works for PowerPC. I have all of my music backed up to a 128 gig flash drive and I access it if needed on my PowerBook.

Ah, you may install your full set of applications, even if you want to swap the disk. Just connect the new empty disk via USB and make a bootable clone of your current disk onto that external-usb-disk with "Superduper!". Then swap the disks an you'll have the new one ready to boot in your iBook and the old one as a clone-backup-drive...

Concerning iOS/iFiles: "iFiles" (version 1 or 2) are both officially distributed in the App-store. "iFile" is a different App only running in jailbroken iOS-devices and distributed via Cydia. iFile on my old iPad2 offered root-access to iOS and access to the SD-Card-adapter and made content of the SD-card available through the Apple-SD-Card adapter... (Hmm, BTW iOS5 with JB on my iPad2 offered some great gimmicks like multiple windows and a big-size PalmOS-emulator: http://forum.nexave.de/index.php/Th...via-SD-Card-und-Mul/?postID=443880#post443880 It's a shame - all that gimmicks died with iOS6 and iOS5-JB was my first and last... )
PPC/Leopard is great to connect old devices like iPod or Palm. (With VirtualPC and Win2k the old PalmOS devices are still back in game).
Back to iFiles2 (iFiles1 presumably won't work with iOS11): it'll make the iOS-device your central hub for file exchange between iOS/Cloud <wifi> iBook/connected storage.
It's great fun to make everything old and new work tout ensemble ...

 

[AmazingHenry]

I finished installing everything around 1:30 this morning. Today, I’ll put some apps on. Though not many, because again I plan on replacing that hard drive
[doublepost=1497793857][/doublepost]Another thing: I discovered Roccat still opens/uploads to iCloud Drive. I know someone mentioned a jailbreak/ifile to move files. I’m just gonna go with 50 gigs of iCloud storage and use the new files app in iOS 11. Also, I have a classic iPod for music that already works for PowerPC. I have all of my music backed up to a 128 gig flash drive and I access it if needed on my PowerBook.

You are relinking Roccat against LWK, right? Just making sure.
[doublepost=1497797892][/doublepost]

Ah, you may install your full set of applications, even if you want to swap the disk. Just connect the new empty disk via USB and make a bootable clone of your current disk onto that external-usb-disk with "Superduper!". Then swap the disks an you'll have the new one ready to boot in your iBook and the old one as a clone-backup-drive...

Concerning iOS/iFiles: "iFiles" (version 1 or 2) are both officially distributed in the App-store. "iFile" is a different App only running in jailbroken iOS-devices and distributed via Cydia. iFile on my old iPad2 offered root-access to iOS and access to the SD-Card-adapter and made content of the SD-card available through the Apple-SD-Card adapter... (Hmm, BTW iOS5 with JB on my iPad2 offered some great gimmicks like multiple windows and a big-size PalmOS-emulator: http://forum.nexave.de/index.php/Th...via-SD-Card-und-Mul/?postID=443880#post443880)
PPC/Leopard is great to connect old devices like iPod or Palm. (With VirtualPC and Win2k the old PalmOS devices are still back in game).
Back to iFiles2 (iFiles1 presumably won't work with iOS11): it'll make the iOS-device your central hub for file exchange between iOS/Cloud <wifi> iBook/connected storage.
It's great fun to make everything old and new work tout ensemble ...

I'll have to look into iFiles for my iPad. Thanks!

 

[CooperBox]

Congratulations - as others have already said, you certainly got yourself a great deal for only $7. I paid over 12x that price for an immaculate example of a similar 1.33GHz iBook a few months ago.

As it was running Panther, the first thing I did was partition the HD and a clean install of Tiger and Leopard. Then after implementing the recommended Tiger 'tweeks' on both OS's, maxed out the memory to 1,5 Gb. Since doing this I've run it mainly under Leopard, and it performs flawlessly.
My 'must-have ' apps were than installed, namely MacTracker, AppCleaner, Onyx and CorePlayer. The latter is one of my favourite under Leopard, as I enjoy watching MP4 music videos, and the results on this iBook truly amazed me.

Follows is a screenshot showing a video running in 720p with CorePlayer:

Even in full-screen mode, 720p runs extremely well, with superb definition as witnessed follows (and this being a compressed jpg of a higher def screenshot whilst the video was running).

Two other jpg's of CorePlayer running excellent defintion 720p videos fullscreen:

If you haven't already guessed - I'm delighted with this little gem!

Whilst on the subject of white laptops, I had a 2009 Macbook5.2 (A1181) for a short while. Was in reasonable condition but fan would come on frequently so decided to open up for a complete refurbish. Once opened, working inside was ok, but what a pain to remove that top cover, and double pain to refit it without damaging the retaining clips inside. Like most of those series G4 Macbooks, cracks had started to appear on the forward lip of the top cover, so I sold it for the same as I paid.
Imho the earlier iBook G4 (the subject of this post) appear to be more solid than the later A1181 Macbooks.

 

[eyoungren]

I really thought there was a tiny thing (with a name I didn't care about until now ... ) inside the iBooks, which is powering the time/date-setting, whenever the main battery is removed. (like within the PowerBooks ... https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/PowerBook+G4+Aluminum+15-Inch+1.67+GHz+PRAM+Battery+Replacement/635 )

Powerbooks have PRAM batteries, iBooks do not.

 

[bobesch]

When it comes to opening any device "iSesamo"-tool is my favorite helper...
[doublepost=1497801603][/doublepost]

Powerbooks have PRAM batteries, iBooks do not.

ok ok ok ok ok - I've got it ...
Ha, and that's obviously the reason I didn't find one whenever I fumbled inside the damn white iBooks ...

 

[CooperBox]

Very true. Plus I tested my school website on the PBG4. Not only was I able to type a research essay on it, I was also able to upload no problem. These are still very capable machines. I still can’t believe I got one for $7.

Talking of iBooks - and especially highly collectable models, all you have to do now is find yourself a KeyLime SE 466MHz G3 iBook for $7 at a yard sale, and sell it to me and make yourself a tidy, large profit.......... I'm ready and waiting, cash in hand!

 

[bobesch]

Talking of iBooks - and especially highly collectable models, all you have to do now is find yourself a KeyLime SE 466MHz G3 iBook for $7 at a yard sale, and sell it to me and make yourself a tidy, large profit.......... I'm ready and waiting, cash in hand!

Ho humm, those KeyLime-Clamshells ...
A couple of them were recently sold in the bay. The first seller got crazy 500 bucks for it.
Made my wife calm down about the 120 I paid for mine 1,5y ago ...

 

[Adamscomputerrepair]

You are relinking Roccat against LWK, right? Just making sure.
[doublepost=1497797892][/doublepost]
I'll have to look into iFiles for my iPad. Thanks!

I have no idea what LWK is sorry

 

[eyoungren]

I have no idea what LWK is sorry

(L)eopard (W)eb(K)it.

The stuff that Roccat and every derivative of Safari is based on. LWK just happens to be maintained and updated (mostly). You can link Roccat and any other webkit based PowerPC browser to it to update the underlying frameworks.

 

[Adamscomputerrepair]

(L)eopard (W)eb(K)it.

The stuff that Roccat and every derivative of Safari is based on. LWK just happens to be maintained and updated (mostly). You can link Roccat and any other webkit based PowerPC browser to it to update the underlying frameworks.

Oh okay. I think I just had a durr moment lol

 

[Intell]

Powerbooks have PRAM batteries, iBooks do not.

Don't forget the 12" Powerbook doesn't. It has a small capacitor like iBooks.

 

[Gamer9430]

My iBook G4 was my first portable PPC and my 2nd PowerPC overall after my G5. I too have the 12in 1.33GHz and I really liked it. I used it for several months in school as my iPad just wouldn't cut it, not being a full PC and all. After several months, I felt that it was getting to be very sluggish, even with maxed out RAM. This was before I knew of Erik's tweaks for TFF. So i retired it as my school laptop in favor of a newly purchased from eBay Dell Latitude E6410, which has since suffered extreme over heating issues after 2 different board transplants. The iBook is still among one of my favorite PPCs. Recently I gave it to my sister to use for a laptop, but sadly she doesn't have the average PowerPC user's patience, so instead I bumped her up to a ThinkPad T43 with Ubuntu Mate 16.10. Now she needs something new for school, so I'll be getting both laptops back. I'm also interested in finding a 14in 1.42GHz to aid in completing my collection of every top-spec G4 laptop. I have the 12in 1.33GHz iBook, 12in 1.5GHz PowerBook, both the 1.67GHz SLSD and 1.67GHz DLSD 15in models, and I had a 1GHz TiBook before the MoBo died. So all I needed was a 17in DLSD and a 14in 1.42GHz iBook G4. I'd like a 14in iBook in general given their their large 4:3 design over 16:9 like on the TiBooks and later 15in AluBooks.

Oops, did I ramble again?

TL;DR: Congrats on the iBook, its one of my favorite models, and I'm actively looking for a 14in 1.42GHz, a GigaTi MoBo, and a 17in DLSD to complete all the top spec'd G4 laptops

 

[AmazingHenry]

Oh okay. I think I just had a durr moment lol

Do you know how to relink?

If, to, I can write a post saying how, with screenshots and all. It is essential to relink Roccat. If you don't, you're using the same rendering engine as Safari 5. When you do relink, it'll be using the same rendering engine as modern Safari. It will be much faster and load pages much better.

 

[Adamscomputerrepair]

Do you know how to relink?

If, to, I can write a post saying how, with screenshots and all. It is essential to relink Roccat. If you don't, you're using the same rendering engine as Safari 5. When you do relink, it'll be using the same rendering engine as modern Safari. It will be much faster and load pages much better.

I’ll figure it out. Thanks though Henry.

 

[heyimquinn]

*snip, too long*

I am, like the OP, also a new owner of an iBook G4 Unfortunately even though I have an A1133 motherboard lying around, I can't swap it in place of the A1054 guts since they differ quite a lot so I have to deal with it. Could you share some of your tweaks and all? My iBook is really slow as molasses and I can't do anything about it's slowness, even under Tiger. It's definitely not thermals as it's not turning on the fans until it's really getting crushed with CPU and GPU loads.

 

[AmazingHenry]

I am, like the OP, also a new owner of an iBook G4 Unfortunately even though I have an A1133 motherboard lying around, I can't swap it in place of the A1054 guts since they differ quite a lot so I have to deal with it. Could you share some of your tweaks and all? My iBook is really slow as molasses and I can't do anything about it's slowness, even under Tiger. It's definitely not thermals as it's not turning on the fans until it's really getting crushed with CPU and GPU loads.

What is mainly slow? Web browsing? If so, tweaks for TFF are recommended.

 

[heyimquinn]

What is mainly slow? Web browsing? If so, tweaks for TFF are recommended.

It's fairly slow doing any tasks. I know it is old, but even Tiger takes its merry time to load up a Finder window, not to mention TFF's speed which is poor. Leopard WebKit does a bit better though. I can't blame the speed of animations since it's only rocking a Mobility Radeon 9200.

 

[Dronecatcher]

I know it is old, but even Tiger takes its merry time to load up a Finder window, not to mention TFF's speed which is poor.

If you can, do a clean install of Tiger. Use Onyx to turn off unwanted features and animations, don't have Finder windows displaying thumbnails, turn off Spotlight and use ShadowKiller to turn off drop shadows.
TFF will be slow no matter what you do - it's virtue is flexability and compatibilty.

 

[Adamscomputerrepair]

Ah, you may install your full set of applications, even if you want to swap the disk. Just connect the new empty disk via USB and make a bootable clone of your current disk onto that external-usb-disk with "Superduper!". Then swap the disks an you'll have the new one ready to boot in your iBook and the old one as a clone-backup-drive...

Concerning iOS/iFiles: "iFiles" (version 1 or 2) are both officially distributed in the App-store. "iFile" is a different App only running in jailbroken iOS-devices and distributed via Cydia. iFile on my old iPad2 offered root-access to iOS and access to the SD-Card-adapter and made content of the SD-card available through the Apple-SD-Card adapter... (Hmm, BTW iOS5 with JB on my iPad2 offered some great gimmicks like multiple windows and a big-size PalmOS-emulator: http://forum.nexave.de/index.php/Th...via-SD-Card-und-Mul/?postID=443880#post443880 It's a shame - all that gimmicks died with iOS6 and iOS5-JB was my first and last... )
PPC/Leopard is great to connect old devices like iPod or Palm. (With VirtualPC and Win2k the old PalmOS devices are still back in game).
Back to iFiles2 (iFiles1 presumably won't work with iOS11): it'll make the iOS-device your central hub for file exchange between iOS/Cloud <wifi> iBook/connected storage.
It's great fun to make everything old and new work tout ensemble ...

Ok small update. I actually bought ifiles 1 and it works perfectly fine with iOS 11. But... embarrassingly enough.... I don’t know how to use it. Tips?