Aging g4 just keeps going but is more ram worthwhile?

I have a g4 that was purchased in 2000. I have never had a problem with it and probably haven't turned it off 50 times since I bought it. My question is that I can't afford a new computer but is it worth putting more RAM in it now in view of it's age? I run heavy apps on it (i.e., adobe and open-source). Currently I have 756 total RAM. My understanding is that with OS X I can go as high as 2GB so is it worth it? I know I have been extremely lucky with how this computer has performed.
The only other option I might consider is a Mac Mini with 4GB of RAM but everything I've read says that this is not a "production" machine. I am a graphic/web designer so performance is important (yeah, I know, so why am I using a dinosaur?).

Hi, helloiamamac -
There's no factual way to answer that question, only opinion.
When using OS 9, since you already have more than 512MB of RAM, adding more will not help much, as long as you are not running out of RAM under your current usage patterns. If you had less than 512MB, you could see (subjectively) an improvement in OS 9 by adding more. OS 9 can address a max of 1.5GB of RAM.
If you are using OSX, then adding more can help, specifically by reducing or eliminating the need for the OS to use swap space on the disk (a form of virtual memory). No data is read faster than data in RAM. Although fast processors (which you do not have) can manage swapping data from disks much better, it's still not as fast as reading from RAM. OSX can address a max (on your machine) of 2.0GB of RAM.
That machine, a G4 (Gigabit Ethernet) model, has four RAM slots (it was the last machine prior to the G4 MDDs which has more than three slots); each slot is rated for a max RAM module size of 512MB. Four of those give the machine's max total of 2.0GB.
You stated your machine has "756 total RAM" - might that be 768MB instead? 768MB is usually the result of one 512MB module and one 128MB module, although it could also be three 256MB modules (or some other combo of modules). In order to get 2.0GB of RAM in it, the minimum number of 512MB modules you would need is three; the max is four. You would need to balance the cost of those vs. the cost of a newer machine, one with more RAM than you have now.
By "newer" machine I am suggesting that instead of a brand new machine, you look at ones older than new, but newer than yours. Some of the G4 MDDs are going for good (i.e., low) prices, perhaps even lower than the cost of adding RAM to your machine. G5s are another possibility, provided you do not need to boot to OS 9.

Similar Messages

When I loginto a certain web site it just keeps going back to the login page. It works on IE but not Firefox. There is some setting I must have that is stopping the logon.

their login page does not recognize my entry. Just keeps going back to page and says logon. It does work on Internet Explorer but not Firefox.

This - http://www.google.com/firefox - is the old Firefox Start Page used by the Firefox 3.6 and earlier versions of Firefox, I don't think it is being maintained.
Starting with the Firefox 4 version, Firefox is using a "local" Start Page with the address of '''about:home'''. It looks similar to the old Start Page, but it isn't exactly the same.

Mac Book Air is charged but the circle just keeps going around and I can't even get to sign in?

Mac Book Air is charged, the apple appears but the broken circle just keeps going and does not even take me to the sign in; any hints?

If you don't see any option, maybe your hard disk is damaged.
Close the OS X installer pressing the red button at the top left corner of the window, and open Disk Utility. Then, after opening Disk Utility, look at the left sidebar. What do you see at the top of the sidebar? Do you see the hard disk? If not, take the Mac to an Apple Store or reseller to get it repaired.
If you see the hard disk, select it and try to repair it. If it shows an error at the end, you will have to take the Mac to an Apple Store

Every time i try to download an app it keeps telling me to put my info in and then its all there so i try to buy the app but it just keeps going in circles and never downloads

Every time i try to download an app it keeps telling me to put my info in and then its all there so i try to buy the app but it just keeps going in circles and never downloads.

and then i put my itunes gift cards on
Are you clicking Redeem under Quick Links right side of the iTunes Store window?
Well i already took my parents credit card off of my itunes
When you deleted your parents credit information did you select None?
Go back to Payment Type select the Edit button. Select None then click Done.

HT3964 MacBook 2007 won't start up all of the way it gets the loading circle thing then it just keeps going and a bar thing pops up to load but doesn't and about a few minutes and it shut off. I don't have a disk for the computer or another Mac so what do

need help MacBook 2007 won't start up all of the way it gets the loading circle thing then it just keeps going and a bar thing pops up to load but doesn't and about a few minutes and it shut off. I don't have a disk for the computer or another Mac so what do I do?

I don't have the disk and i tried the shift key and it didn't do anything, i have tried like everything but it won't work and i was givin this computer with a charger and that is all nothing came with it and i don't think that it had the lion thing on it either i never got to that it just won't turn on and i have another mac that was a family members but it won't turn on either at all it won't load anything the screen stays black. so i don't really know at all what to do is there anything else? i don't want to take it anywhere because i have no money for that, and i need this computer for school. Any sugestions?

My battery on my iPad mini isn't charging, the charging sign is on, but the battery just keeps going down.

My battery on my iPad mini isn't charging, the charging sign is on, but the battery just keeps going down.

Try:
- iOS: Not responding or does not turn on
- If not successful and you can't fully turn the iPod fully off, let the battery fully drain. After charging for an least an hour try the above again.
- If still not successful that indicates a hardware problem and an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store is in order.
Since you did not say how long the battery lasts I am nut sure the battery is the problem.

I downloaded a song.. but it wont download it just keeps going.....

ok so i downloaded hung up by madonna awhile ago and it never really downloaded and whenever i check for downloads.. it just keeps going and going and never works. so a few minutes ago i pre ordered stadium arcadium (rhcp) and it has to wait second in line to download but hung up is downloading before it and it never ends.. so im kinda stuck and ive had this problem before but i was able to contact a service person through email.. but im having trouble contacting someone so if you have had this problem before and have some ideas to fix it.. or you know how to contact them other than the phone(because i have to wait until its their working hours..) please help me!!! thank you

you usually will have to delete it then redownload it again
you can redownload by going into itunes store, then get to the main page by logging in or hitting the little house on the top black bar if your already logged in, then selecting purchased on the right side of the screen

I just purchased an album and all the songs downloaded but one. It just keeps going through the downloading process. not sure what to do.

I just purchased an album and all the songs downloaded but one. It just keeps going through the downloading process. not sure what to do.

Has this happened to anyone before?

Mail pinwheel just keeps going and going

After sending an email to hotmail.com the Mail pinwheel just keeps going and going and I keep receiving these massages (Delivery Status Notification (Failure)) with the same date and time. I delete them and they just keep on piling in the trash folder untill I decide to Delete them.
Text in the messages says:
The following message to <[email protected]> was undeliverable.
The reason for the problem:
5.1.0 - Unknown address error 550-'Requested action not taken: mailbox unavailable'
Final-Recipient: rfc822;[email protected]
Action: failed
Status: 5.0.0 (permanent failure)
Remote-MTA: dns; [65.54.244.136]
Diagnostic-Code: smtp; 5.1.0 - Unknown address error 550-'Requested action not taken: mailbox unavailable' (delivery attempts: 0)
Reporting-MTA: dns; avas3.coqui.net

If they have already been removed from the server, you may be able to get rid of those messages in Mail doing Edit > Cut (⌘X) (for best results do it with one message or just a few at a time).
If the problems persist, you’ll have to get rid of the *.emlx files associated with the offending messages and re-create the index.
Verify/repair the startup disk (not just permissions), as described here:
The Repair functions of Disk Utility: what's it all about?
After having fixed all the filesystem issues, if any, and making sure that there’s enough space available on the startup disk (a few GB, plus the space needed to make a backup copy of the Mail folder), here are two alternative procedures that should allow you to fix the problem. Let me know which do you find more convenient and/or works better for you:
<hr>
PROCEDURE A
1. Select the offending messages in Mail.
2. Copy the following script, open /Applications/AppleScript/Script Editor, paste the script there, and click Run:
set theFileList to {}
tell application "Mail"
set theSelection to the selection
repeat with aMessage in theSelection
set aFileName to (id of aMessage as string) & ".emlx"
copy aFileName to the end of theFileList
end repeat
end tell
get theFileList
A list of the *.emlx files associated with the offending messages should appear in the script’s Result pane (and in Script Editor’s Window > Result History).
3. Quit Mail.
4. In the Finder, go to ~/Library/Mail/. Make a backup copy of this folder, just in case something goes wrong, e.g. by dragging it to the Desktop while holding the Option (Alt) key down. This is where all your mail is stored.
5. In the Finder, go to the ~/Library/Mail/POP-username@mailserver/ account folder.
6. Move Deleted Messages.mbox to the Trash if there is nothing to be preserved there.
7. Locate the offending *.emlx files within INBOX.mbox’s Messages folder and move them out of there, e.g. to the Desktop. You can open the *.emlx files with a text editor to view their contents and check that they do indeed correspond to the offending messages before getting rid of them.
8. Go back to ~/Library/Mail/, locate Envelope Index and move it to the Trash. If you see an Envelope Index-journal file there, delete it as well.
9. Open Mail. It will tell you that your mail needs to be “imported”. Click Continue and Mail will proceed to re-create Envelope Index — Mail says it's “importing”, but it just re-creates the index if the mailboxes are already in Mail 2.x format.
<hr>
PROCEDURE B
1. Quit Mail and make a backup copy of the ~/Library/Mail folder, just in case something goes wrong, e.g. by dragging it to the Desktop while holding the Option (Alt) key down. This is where all your mail is stored.
2. Open Mail.
3. Create a new custom “On My Mac” mailbox.
4. Select the affected account’s Inbox in Mail, then select all the messages it contains (Edit > Select All (⌘A)) and deselect the offending messages by Command-clicking (⌘-click) on them. That is, select all the messages in the mailbox except the offending ones.
5. Do Message > Move To, and select the mailbox created is step 3. That is, move to another mailbox all the messages that should be preserved and that are stored in the same mailbox as the offending ones.
6. Quit Mail.
7. In the Finder, go to ~/Library/Mail/. Locate Envelope Index and move it to the Trash. If you see an Envelope Index-journal file there, delete it as well.
8. In the Finder, go to ~/Library/Mail/POP-username@mailserver/. Move INBOX.mbox and Deleted Messages.mbox to the Trash.
9. Open Mail. It will tell you that your mail needs to be “imported”. Click Continue and Mail will proceed to re-create Envelope Index — Mail says it's “importing”, but it just re-creates the index if the mailboxes are already in Mail 2.x format.
<hr>
Note: For those not familiarized with the ~/ notation, it refers to the user's home folder, i.e. ~/Library is the Library folder within the user's home folder.

HT4314 I have tried to log into clash of clans on my iPad and it just keeps going to a new game rather than the one saved on my iPhone. I have been using the game centre and same user name and password ?

I have tried to log into clash of clans on my iPad and it just keeps going to a new game rather than the one saved on my iPhone. I have been using the game centre and same user name and password ?

I have the same problem.. EXACTLY. . When phoning Apple Support they had trouble understanding my problem and couldnt find any type of solution. No one seems to take responsibility for GameCenter issues. The assistant escalated the problem but no one could find an answer. .
The only idea was to set up a new apple id, hence a new GameCenter account. . But that would loose all the itunes data. Anyone got ideas ?

Im on iOS 8.0.2 and it just keeps going out of cellular service, what can i do?

Im on iOS 8.0.2 and it just keeps going out of cellular service, what can i do?

Hello there cubandope,
If I understand correctly, your iPhone cellular data is dropping periodically, but you can still make calls. I would use the troubleshooting in the following article to help resolve the issue here:
If you see No Service in the status bar of your iPhone or iPad
Follow these steps, testing after each.
Tap Settings > Enable Airplane Mode, wait five seconds, then turn off airplane mode.
Restart your device.
Remove the SIM card. If the SIM card is damaged, worn, or bent, or if it's too big or small for the SIM tray, contact your carrier for a new one. Then reinsert the SIM card.
Check for a carrier-settings update: Connect to a Wi-Fi network, tap Settings > General > About, and install any available carrier-settings updates. If you can't connect to Wi-Fi, connect your device to a computer that has iTunes.
Update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS.
Reset network settings by tapping Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will reset all network settings, including Bluetooth pairing records, Wi-Fi passwords, VPN, and APN settings.
Contact your carrier to check for any network or account issues.
Restore your iPhone.
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Take care,
Sterling

That little wheel just keeps going round

Recently my MacBook (syst. 10.6.8) has started freezing. Often it's when I'm using Firefox (version 30). I'm not sure though if the problem is Firefox or maybe the Finder, but that little rainbow wheel just keeps going round and I eventually have to reboot. I have run "Repair Permissions" from the start-up/install disk, but it still does it. I also trashed the finder prefs.
I am worried that I've "caught" something from the internet?
Help please anyone. Thanks.

You could check the Activity Monitor (see Go in Finder, choose Utilities folder,
and double-click Activity Monitor) to see what may be hanging up and wasting
system resources. You may need to boot the computer from the Installer DVD
and from the menu options there (do not install anything) you can access a
few things; one of them is Disk Utility; you can check and also Repair the HDD.
There are some ideas, & things to check that may be helpful in resolving issues
in this site: Tech Guides - The Safe Mac http://www.thesafemac.com/tech-guides/
There may be something else going on in the computer, so if you have a good
backup of your content or a clone of the entire bootable system on a second
externally enclosed hard disk drive, (it can be 'cloned' back to the computer HD)
then you could do an erase and install, then restore from the clone-copy.
An overly full or problematic hard disk drive may also cause such symptoms.
Damaged files or bad sectors can be a sign of an old hard drive pending failure.
Backup..!
PS: images do not appear to be working, or if they do appear, don't show to others.

Ipad will not reboot circle just keeps going and going

can not charge ipad the circle just keeps going and going

First, try a system reset. It cures many ills and it's quick, easy and harmless...
Hold down the on/off switch and the Home button simultaneously until the screen blacks out or you see the Apple logo. Ignore the "Slide to power off" text if it appears. You will not lose any apps, data, music, movies, settings, etc.
If the Reset doesn't work, try a Restore. Note that it's nowhere near as quick as a Reset. Connect via cable to the computer that you use for sync. From iTunes, select the iPad/iPod and then select the Summary tab. Follow directions for Restore and be sure to say "yes" to the backup. You will be warned that all data (apps, music, movies, etc.) will be erased but, as the Restore finishes, you will be asked if you wish the contents of the backup to be copied to the iPad/iPod. Again, say "yes."
At the end of the basic Restore, you will be asked if you wish to sync the iPad/iPod. As before, say "yes." Note that that sync selection will disappear and the Restore will end if you do not respond within a reasonable time. If that happens, only the apps that are part of the IOS will appear on your device. Corrective action is simple - choose manual "Sync" from the bottom right of iTunes.
If you're unable to do the Restore, go into Recovery Mode per the instructions here.

HT203176 My computer gets bogged down in disk utility "gathering disk information." I can't get past this to reach the first aid tab. The little icon just keeps going round and round. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

My Mac crashed today for the first time in the seven years I have owned it. I was working in Photoshop. It had been getting slower and slower in Photoshop. Now I can't start the computer at all. Using the Installer CD, I can't get through to use the Disk Utility to try to fix it. The computer gets bogged down in disk utility "gathering disk information." I can't get past this to reach the first aid tab. The little icon just keeps going round and round. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

You may have had a hard drive failure. Have you been hearing any unusual sounds? Have you been getting messages about a full hard drive?
Will it boot in Safe Mode? See What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode? (Mac OS X)
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107392 Takes a while to run, but it usually "fixes" problems.
Resolve startup issues and perform disk maintenance with Disk Utility and fsck
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
 Cheers, Tom

Blue screen of death, and continous reboot. Phone never actually boots up, just keeps going from reboot to blue screen and back again. Any suggestion?

Blue screen of death, and continous reboot. Phone never actually boots up, just keeps going from reboot to blue screen and back again. Any suggestion?

Hello jared1915
If you are stuck in that loop, the next step would be to restore your iPhone. Check out the article below to get your iPhone into recovery-mode and restore it in iTunes.
If you can't update or restore your iOS device
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1808
Regards,
-Norm G.

Aging g4 just keeps going but is more ram worthwhile?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for