When 128Mb is not enough

I’ve been a happy owner of Apple iBook for a few months now. The initial 128 Mb of memory was a decent amount, but having more never hurts. When I got a nice deal for a 256 Mb memory chip, the temptation was too much to resist. Time for my biggest challenge yet on the laptop world. Even though I’ve installed a bunch of stuff on pc side, I always end up messing memory installations so that they never work on the first try. I always need to adjust the module on the memory socket before getting it right. Although since the laptop memory module seems to be half the size of a desktop one, there’s 50% less chance for me to mess up, right?

Unfortunately my iBook, dating back to the beginning of the century, doesn’t like memory modules larger than 128 megabytes. To be able to use larger modules I first needed to update to the latest firmware version. Firmware was found from Apple and… it doesn’t install under OS X. Seems that I have to install OS 9 just for applying the update.

Going old school

It was time to go digging the archives and fetch good old swedish installation disc of OS 9 and install it. Despite of the swedish language, setting installation options went properly and OS 9.0 was installed. The firmware update was to begin and end. This time the update stopped on the fact that OS version needs to be at least 9.2. Luckily the 80Mb OS update I downloaded from Apple was meant to update OS 9.1 to OS 9.2. It will not update OS 9.0 to anything. Swell.

No problems, I had my Windows pc already downloading the other update, just in case. Now all I needed was to transfer the file from PC to Mac. It didn’t go as well as it did under OS X. After a few seconds of intensive thinking I had come up with a plan. Google! Search results told me that Microsoft had dropped the support for AppleTalk from Windows XP, and if I needed to connect the two computers I needed third-party software.

OS 9 file sharing functioned properly but my pc under Win XP just doesn’t know what to do. Damn you Microsoft, always tormenting, haunting bugging etc. I don’t recall ever needing AppleTalk on anything before, though. I’m not quite sure what it exactly does either but why remove it from XP? They didn’t even add proper bluetooth support until Service Pack 1 (Not that it has anything to do with this topic). Wonder if they keep some kind of development meetings on Microsoft once a month focusing solely on stuff that they don’t plan on supporting in their next OS version?

After this project I’m probably never going to need support for AppleTalk in anything, but at least now it’s absence was irritating.

I would’ve gotten the whole networking thingy to work between both machines and probably link even the Galileo-probe there by installing something and somewhere but I didn’t bother. Redownloading the 70Mb update seemed the easiest way. Will it work? Yes, the first update file updated the operating system from OS 9.0 to Os 9.1 and then the second update made it version 9.2. The progress was phenomenal.

Star of the show

After all this I even managed to install the firmware update and now my iBook supported 256 Mb memory modules . Now I don’t need OS 9 for anything anymore, but I still left it on the hard disk. Partially because it works under OS X and I might need it someday. Partially because there’d probably be five different uninstall packages that first reduce few digits from the OS version number and then rest of the system. I don’t know but I’m not going to find out.

Since the firmware was up-to-date I could move on to the next part, adding the memory module. The iBook manual fortunately has pretty straightforward instructions. First remove the battery, then the keyboard, move AirPort card out of your way, remove the two screws from protective cover over memory socket, remove the old module and replace it with new one. Not overly complicated. Most of my time went in putting the AirPort-card back, as it seemed to try fitting itself to the socket in weird positions and angles.

The cover thingy

After putting the whole package back together it was time to say few prayers and switch power back on. It worked, and – what’s even more amazing – recognized the RAM amount correctly. I managed to break absolutely nothing! Except I’m not sure about the Airport-card, since I don’t own other wireless devices to test it with. At least there’s no smoke coming out of it and it’s not making creepy noises either. Guess it’s ok.

After all this it’s fun to think about all the things I could’ve done differently (or more effectively). Most of the OS updating hell would’ve been avoidable if only had I done two things before installing OS X: 1) updated the OS 9 version to 9.2 and 2) updated the firmware. However, the swedish version of OS 9 didn’t charm me over then and I replaced it with OS X right away. That being said, the operation is now over, iBook has 320Mb of RAM and everything seems faster and better. Cheers to that.

The beginning

As a one who’s used a Windows PC for as long as he can remember, switching to a Mac is a long road to take. There are plenty of horror stories about the quirks and peculiarities of Mac. Ammo to these stories is fed by the infamous one button mouse and the unique look of iMacs (how you’re supposed to upgrade it, what if the display gets broken, stuff like that). The truth is most likely in somewhere between the various horror stories and praises. What matters is whether or not you’re curious enough to break free of the Windows-world and try something new.

As I considered buying a laptop computer, I chose Macintosh. Various reasons, actually: the looks, price, features, feedback from other users, sheer curiosity, etc. The highest reason in my list was the noble goal, to get rid of Windows. Rid of Windows 9x-series, to be exact. I don’t hesitate to admit that Windows XP is a quite well working and good operating system. The earlier versions aren’t, and returning to those seemed little too frightening a thought.

System settings

The choices were to either run XP with a seriously underpowered computer, or to finally take a look at the other side of personal computers, the Macintosh. For those who’re currently thinking about a certain operating system that starts with an “L”, my answer is plain “No”. Couple of years ago I used Linux for a while, and that was enough for me. I’m sure it’s a very functional and versatile OS, but not my cup of tea. Apple OS X, however, seemed very interesting and I had long thought of getting myself a Mac.

The catalyst for the change was finally an used iBook I came by. Green (Key Lime, says Apple) 366 Mhz model with 128 megabytes of memory. After thinking about a day or so it was time to make the choice. To buy a Mac or not to. Since the other of my options would negate the basic premise of this article, I won’t bother telling which path I took.

Few days went by, and it was time to fetch the wonder of technology. For an used computer (not to mention it’s age), the iBook was in great shape. The clamshell exterior had turned from glossy green to not-so-shiny and the display had minor lines that could be considered as scratches (invisible when the display is on).
In addition to manuals the deal included the original packaging – which was huge. Thanks to it’s impressive weight and size, the package provided a nice little exercise. At least it had a handle. Emphasis on the word “had”, since the handle cave in at a critical moment over a small pool of water. Thanks to my cat-like reflexes the so called “wet Apple” situation was avoided, but the carrying became considerably more difficult thanks to the structural damages on the handle. Well, best to have a crappy box with contents of pure gold than vice versa.

iBook from above

Due to the unexpected turn of events the next goal was to obtain a huge plastic bag, which allowed for more maneuverability. Finally at home it was time to look a little closer at the contents of the package. Manuals, arm-sized chunks of styrofoam, install discs, neat looking charger and a audio/video-cable. The iBook has an impressive set of features. Built-in modem, built-in ethernet, CD-drive, USB, FireWire and AV-out (used to connect iBook to a television, for example). It even came with the Airport-card installed for wireless networking. Considering the price I paid for it, not many standard PC:s have that many features to offer. Of course, there are things that would’ve been nice extras. Second USB-port and built-in Bluetooth connectivity, for example. The newer models of iBook already have these, but since mine dates back to year 2000, I’m out of luck…

Once I got my hands on Os X, the old 9.2 had to go. Placing the OSX install disc to the cd-drive smoothly started the installer. Almost as smoothly the install process was terminated after a couple of minutes by the notorious error #138. After the second attempt produced exactly the same results, it was time to re-check the CD. Close look at the disc showed that one part had a small smudge on the outer edge. After cleaning it was time to install attempt number three. Third time was the charm once again, and I encountered no problems. Just one more reminder to always check the compact disc before placing it to a cd-drive…

The king of the jungle arrives

Estimated time for install to complete was about two hours, so I didn’t bother staring at the screen the whole time. Neither I should’ve, since no user input was required after configuring the language and other settings at the start of the process. After completed install, it was time to see Os X version 10.2.4, Jaguar, in front of my eyes.

First impressions were positive. I really like the look of OS X and seeing it in action only strengthened my view. The polished color scheme is a nice change from the standard grey in most of the other operating systems. Fortunately the differences to Windows don’t stop there, under the surface there are countless things done differently in both basic features and usability, for example.

Finder

As a Windows-veteran, one thing naturally catching my eye was the absence of the good ol’ taskbar. Mac has Dock, which does almost a similar job and just as well. Program windows are handled entirely differently from Windows. In Microsoft’s operating systems each program has it’s menus in respective window, OS X places the menus on top of the screen – regardless of the window position. It takes a little while to get used to, but works well.

Windows PC-keyboards have a Windows-key, so naturally Macs need an Apple-key. Fortunately it’s more useful. While Windows-key basically just opens the “Start”-menu (in my hands), Mac’s Apple-key is a major player in keyboard shortcuts. Standard Windows shortcuts like control-c for copy is apple-c on Mac. Mac-counterpart for cut (ctrl-x) is apple-x, moving between open programs is apple-tab and so on.
While Windows has the start-button on the taskbar with a Windows-logo, Mac has a small button on upper left of the screen with an apple. That apple-button hides your usual log out & shut down commands as well as quick access to system settings.

The backbone in OS X user interface is Finder, which allows smooth access to, e.g. applications and home folder. Home-directory works just like “My documents” on Windows. It’s a personal folder for each user to store their files into. OS X has Unix-roots, so it’s very protective about access rights. By configuring them you can give different user accounts rights to change system settings, install/uninstall applications etc. – or you can allow just the basic rights to normal users and leave all the advanced stuff available only to administrator account.

TextEdit

Os X comes with a wide variety of software. Some are familiar to Windows-users as well, like QuickTime and iTunes.Then there’s iPhoto for storing and editing images, iChat for quick messaging, iCal-calender, iMovie for movie editing, TextEdit (usage fairly obvious), Mail for email, and Internet Explorer (guess). Newer versions of OS X replace Internet Explorer with Apple’s own browser, Safari. Chess is the only game included, although it offers a bit variety for those used to the challenges of minesweeper and solitaire.

Next in line was configuring the network settings. I have to route my internet connection it through my Windows PC due to HomePNA-access, which could be a problem. Fortunately it wasn’t: after connecting the network cable, all I needed to do was to switch on the connection sharing and that had to be done from Windows. All other settings were configured automatically, and everything works. Sharing files between the two computers is equally simple, turning the Windows-sharing on from Mac allowed simple access to shared files.

Applications

As an interesting detail, the Microsoft optical USB-mouse I connected to iBook started functioning immediately after plugging the cable in, no settings to configure, no drivers to install. Even the second mouse button and the mouse wheel worked just like they should. A rare sight for Windows-user. XP is near OS X on USB functionality, but remembering the troubles Windows 98 gave me, I was impressed by OS X. Every USB-device I’ve used in my Mac has been instantly usable. Digital camera, USB-memory, even bluetooth-dongle. Finally a word about the mouse issue . Even though the Microsoft-mouse has two buttons, I haven’t had much use for the right button. All features can be accessed just as well with just one button. Although the mouse wheel is a definite improvement.

I’ve now taken the first steps in the world of Apple. It’s been painless and I haven’t encountered many problems. The biggest thing is to find Mac replacements for all those Windows-only-programs I’ve gotten used to…

The Apple menu
Keyboard shortcuts to choose from