Digital audio G4 - max HD size ??

I am about to upgrade the internal HDs in my G4.
The current ones are 120Gb Western Digital
I am thinking about 500GB WD ?
Is there any problem with that size in my G4 ?
cheers

Hello Murray,
The 120GB HDs are the largest your Digital Audio Mac will see without a little help. If you fit an Acard 6280M controller card (to a PCI slot), you can use as many as four additional HDs of virtually any size you can find. (I have a 500GB Seagate - and an Acard card - and my Digital Audio sees it just fine). Get it from http://newegg.com/ for about $60 or from OWC.
There is also a SIIG card, which is currently the subject of discussion. The old SIIG cards were simply rebranded Acards, but there is a new one out that is different and may be giving trouble.
There is also a software workaround, but someone else will have to speak to that.
Hope that helps for starters ..... Jon

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RAM for a G4 (Digital Audio) 467 MHz?

Hi,
The mac I use at work is (I think!) a G4 (Digital Audio) 467MHz model running OSX 10.3.9 Panther. My employer has said he will consider ordering more RAM for the computer and has asked me to do the legwork. Ideally I want to max out the RAM on this computer because it's unlikely my employer will be replacing it any time soon.
From reading this forum, I gather that Macs can be picky about RAM - I'd like your recommendations about what/how much to buy. Currently two slots have RAM of different sizes - am I correct that the computer will work more efficiently if all the slots have the same size RAM?
Here are the specs for the computer:
Hardware:
Hardware Overview:
Machine Model: Power Mac G4
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (2.9)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 467 MHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 1 MB
Memory: 640 MB
Bus Speed: 133 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 4.1.8f5
Serial Number: XB1240YYKXS
Sales Order Number: 0100426226XB1240YY1234123412341234
Software:
System Software Overview:
System Version: Mac OS X 10.3.9 (7W98)
Kernel Version: Darwin 7.9.0
Boot Volume: Macintosh HD
Memory:
DIMM0/J21:
Size: Empty
Type: Empty
Speed: Empty
DIMM1/J22:
Size: 512 MB
Type: SDRAM
Speed: PC133-333
DIMM2/J23:
Size: 128 MB
Type: SDRAM
Speed: PC133-333
DIMM3/J24:
Size: Empty
Type: Empty
Thanks in advance for your recommendations!
frano

Your G4 DA uses 168-pin PC-133 (unregistered, non-ECC, non-parity) SDRAM. A 16-chip (8 chips on each side), 512 MB DIMM is the largest that's supported in each memory slot. As long as the SDRAM meets the criteria, it doesn't need to be purchased from a Mac memory dealer, although you may have fewer compatibility problems (since some memory merchants aren't really familiar with Mac memory requirements). Unlike some PCs, Mac OS X doesn't run well with inexpensive/marginal quality memory, so your choice shouldn't be based on price alone. You can check out this dealer's prices, and compare prices at Ramseeker.com.
As far as mixing memory having different density chips, you may find a performance boost by using similar-density memory. A 512 MB DIMM with 16 chips and a 256 MB DIMM with 8 chips both have 256-Megabit chips. A 16-chip 256 MB DIMM and an 8-chip 128 MB DIMM have 128-Megabit chips. A 16-chip 128 MB DIMM has 64 Megabit chips. If your 128 MB DIMM is low-density memory, having more than 8 chips (either on one side, or 4 on each side), I'd remove it and replace it with something larger.

The Mother of All G4 Digital Audio Project?

Alright, my apologies right from the get-go: I'm new to this user-friendly and intuitive world of Macs. So if this post is long-winded and excessive, please excuse my bad manners and blame it on living in the world of PCs and M$ for far too long.
To start, the one thing I've found that is consistent no matter what computing world I've explored is the cost of upgrading... but first, let me explain a couple of things.
For one -- I'm finished with my PC. I'm fairly computer saavy, and have never bought a pre-built system in my life. My first computer I built in the 8th grade from spare parts and a Pentium 90 chip. Although I've enjoyed my time playing around and working with PCs in the past, I've recently become a father (and my wife is now at home 24/7). Suffice it to say I don't have much time to troubleshoot my PC as often as I use to, and with my wife using the computer more and more, I really would like to be able to offer her something intuitive and easy to use (unfortunately, this usually isn't a common description of anything related to the world of M$ and PCs).
Anyways, her entire extended family has been Mac based for awhile now, and I've grown more and more desirous of owning a Mac at home. Well, about 4 months ago I was given an old G4 Digital Audio for free. This gift, coupled with my increasing frustration with the PC, has lead me to contemplate ditching the PC (selling it off), and trying to fully pimp out the G4 to its maximum capacity. FOR CHEAP.
I realize that a Mac Mini would be pretty cheap and cost effective, or perhaps just selling the G4 and putting that money towards something else (like a Mac laptop) might make more sense... but I'm limited on a couple of fronts.
1) There is the issue of some money having already been invested into this G4.
2) I need to keep costs down, while also retaining the ability to expand (my PC currently has 3 HDDs at a total capacity of 800gb)... and it just doesn't seem feasible with a Mac Mini.
3) I already have the G4 -- and in my wife's eyes, expanding this rig is cheaper than buying a brand new Mac (this point is clearly debatable).
4) We really just need a solid system at home, easy for her to use, while having enough muscle for me to use the Adobe/Macromedia/Final Cut software packages.
So... I'd like to start pushing this G4 to its limits performance wise, while not breaking the bank unnecessarily. I've looked into upgrading the logic board and CPU, maxing out the system memory, purchasing a SATA controller board and new HDDs, and finally springing for a new video card. My question is this:
Can anyone shed some light on upgrade options that would suit my needs, without giving my wife reason to leave me?! For example, when looking to upgrade the G4 to a wireless system, I opted to purchase a Belkin Wireless G (F5D7000) instead of a official Airport card. It works flawlessly, is G compatible, and was only $25. Are there similar options when looking at SATA controller cards (the Sonnet cards are really pricey)? PC133 memory -- should I buy new or look for sticks in older PCs? Buy a pc video card and tweak it to work in a Mac, etc? Should I buy a single cpu upgrade, or spring for the pricey duals (is the performance benefit in OSX and the various design software packages worth it? - I've seen varied reports on this)? 1.6ghz vs. dual 1.4ghz??
Any help in this endeavor to build the Mother of All G4 Digital Audios would be wonderful. I know this post is lengthy, but I needed to vent some frustrations, and ask for a helping hand in this transition from PC to Mac! Thanks to all who've read this beast of a post -- and if anyone has anything to contribute (either suggestions or directions to some relatively cheap upgrades - new or used), it would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks again!

Hi-
I'll keep things brief.
CPU- The following will give you the most bang for the buck-
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/MEG42M1500/
Memory- Doesn't have to break the bank, but, you must buy quality-
http://eshop.macsales.com/MyOWC/Upgrades.cfm?model=163&type=Memory&TI=1047&shoup grds=Show+Upgrades
http://www.datamemorysystems.com/viewcat.aspQ_C_E761
Graphics- a flashed PC 4x AGP card will give you the most for the cheapest
Sata Controller Card- the following is hard to beat:
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/SATAPCI2P/
Or, get the bundle:
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/SATAM500GPCI/
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/SATAM10TBPCI/
If you need cheaper, or used, check:
http://groups.google.com/group/lemswap
or, eBay.
Good Luck!
G4 AGP(450)Sawtooth Mac OS X (10.4.8) 2ghzPPC,1.62gbSDRAM, ATI9800, DVR-109,(IntHD)120&160,LaCie160,23"Cinema Display

Upgrading from 10.4.11 to 10.5.8 on my G4 Power Mac Digital audio-is it worth it and how do i find the 10.5.8

Hey Gang.   How's it been going? I still have the same G4 Digital Audio which came used but with a clean OS, which I managed to up
grade to reach the 10.4.11. Its works great and I love it. I can only imagine using a real Mac Pro 2012. The software is legacy and It will not support the QuarkExpress9 for example. So what if I found and upgraded to the 10.5.8 or the max OS my G4 can handle? Is it worth it?
Thanks

Hi,
Depends what part of 10.5 you think you need, but 10.5 does not support Classic Apps, requires 3 times the resources & space, is expensive, & slower than Tiger/10.4 even on a G5 Quad with 10 GB of RAM.
I have run 10.5.8 on a DA/450 MHz/1GB, & it is possible.
Leopard requirements/10.5.x...
    * Mac computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor
minimum system requirements
    * 512MB of memory (I say 1.5GB for PPC at least, 2-3GB minimum for IntelMacs)
    * DVD drive for installation
    * 9GB of available disk space (I say 30GB at least)
Classic/OS9 Apps no longer supported.
Trouble is Apple no longer sells it, check eBay & such for the Retail version, not the Gray Discs...
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=mac+os+x+leopard+retail+10.5
There are workarounds if the 867MHz CPU is the only hangup...
http://sourceforge.net/projects/leopardassist/
http://lowendmac.com/osx/leopard/unsupported.html

Install OS X on a Digital Audio G4 with a new HDD

I picked up a Digital Audio G4 from a university surplus sale and I thought I'd play around with it. Unfortunately it came with no Hard Drive, but I managed to scrounge one up. I've got a set of OS X 10.4 install CDs that I know work but I can't seem to get the computer to boot to CD. When I turn it on I get a few minutes of blank screen, followed by a blank grey screen for as long as I keep the computer on. No error beeps, no startup chime (though I'm not even sure the speaker works), just a blank grey screen. What am I doing wrong?

Do this:
Extended Hard Drive Preparation
1. Boot from your the Installer Disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger, Leopard or Snow Leopard.)
2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing. SMART info will not be reported on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID (for Intel Macs) or APM (for PPC Macs) then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.

I'm using DVD Studio pro to burn a dvd but it won't let me cause I keep getting a "Formatting Failed" error message. It says "Formatting was not successful. Layer 0 exceeds max layer size allowed. Choose a suitable marker location." What does this mean?

I'm using DVD Studio pro to burn a dvd but it won't let me cause I keep getting a "Formatting Failed" error message. It says "Formatting was not successful. Layer 0 exceeds max layer size allowed. Choose a suitable marker location that will support this condition." What does this mean?
Kris

It means your file is too large to fit on a single layer disk.
Recompress to keep the overall size (audio,video and menus) below 4.5GB
x

How many U is a G5 powermac and G4 digital audio

hey guys. im buying some new servers soon and i was thinking of putting my 2 apple base units with them in the server case. but obv i need to no what size U to get for the case. any ideas what the powermac G5 and maybe powermac g4 digital audio is?
thanks for any help
Gareth

I am not exactly sure, but Google is your friend.
For example, this unit claims to take up 7Us:
http://www.custom-consoles.com/Rackmount-Mac-g5.php
I've also used rack-mounted shelves to install G5s and G4s. They are generally much cheaper than the other solutions.

Upgrade the G4 733Ghz Digital Audio

I have a G4 733Mhz Digital Audio and I wanna add what ever I can to it to increase the performance. I know these things won't increase the performance but just to let you know what I have added....I just bought an extra 3 port firewire pci card and a 5 port usb 2.0 pci card they work great I also have 1.25 GB of Ram (Max is 1.5GB)
what else can I do with it? as far as graphics card if I need it or not? and if so which one?
Thanks,
Raffi

Hi Paul-
Your G4 is a 4x AGP. You can only use a 4x AGP compatible graphics card. The 8x AGP will not work, unless, like the ATI Radeon 9800, it is 2x, 4x, 8x compatible.
The FX5200 is an 8x card, so, unfortunately, you won't be able to use it in the G4.
As far as upgrade suggestions, a new ATI Radeon 9800 Mac Pro, a used ATI Radeon 9000 Mac Pro (eBay), a flashed (PC ver. converted to Mac) Ati Radeon 9800 Pro(eBay, Strangedogs), or a flashed GeForce(eBay, Strangedogs).
G4 AGP(450)Sawtooth Mac OS X (10.4.8) 2ghzPPC,1.62gbSDRAM, ATI9800, DVR-109,(IntHD)120&160,LaCie160,23"Cinema Display

Optical digital audio output/headphone out

Does anyone know if there is a way to connect stereo speakers directly (not through a receiver/amp)to the Optical digital audio output/headphone out on a imac? The new 20 inch imacs have a 24watt internal amp which would be plenty for the speakers that I want it to drive. Thanks

is there an attachment that i have to buy? do i just rip the tip of the cord off?
Yep, there are two "standard" optical-digital-audio connectors -- the original "square" one is still used in most larger audio/video components. The newer/smaller one, used mainly in portable gear, is exactly the same size as a mini headphone plug. Radio Shack carries adapters/converters and cables of both types (usually at outrageously high prices). For online vendors, try:
http://monoprice.com (search for "TOSLINK")
Great prices and a good rep for quality/service among to the HDTV-fanatics on avsforum.com.
Looby

Max. video size on iPhone

I know there is a lot of articles about this but I didnt find straight answer about this because some say this and some say that.
So. I want Rip my DVD on Maximum Size and quality so I can watch it on ma Laptop or TV but still be able to put it on iPhone. Because I dont have iPhone yet but want to start rip my DVDs I need to know from somebody who done it...
1. Whats the Max. Size I can rip and still be able to put it on iPhone (probably iPhone3)
2. I know that ideal would be 640x480 but I heard that 720x400 can be put on iPhone without any problems.
Lets say I will do it in 720x400 how its gonna appear on iPhones screen.

This is directly from the iPhone Specs Page
Video
* Video formats supported: H.264 video, up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Low-Complexity version of the H.264 Baseline Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; H.264 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Baseline Profile up to Level 3.0 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html
If you happen to have a High Def movie from iTunes Store in iTunes. You can right click on it, Get Info, And this will tell you the total size of that. It may be bigger then what the Specs show.
Also keep in mind on Discussions we can not discuss the ripping of DVD's

Ui wanna upgrade my 733Mhz digital audio

I have a G4 733Mhz Digital Audio and I wanna add what ever I can to it to increase the performance. I know these things won't increase the performance but just to let you know what I have added....I just bought an extra 3 port firewire pci card and a 5 port usb 2.0 pci card they work great I also have 1.25 GB of Ram (Max is 1.5GB)
what else can I do with it? as far as graphics card if I need it or not? and if so which one?
Thanks,
Raffi

Hello! Try adding a 1.8ghz processor. Tom
Sonnet1.8ghz from OWC

G4 Digital Audio 733MHz Daughtercard schmatics

Can anyone tell me what the thing is on the daughtercard that has copper wire wrapped around a piece of plastic is? I'm pretty sure it's a coil, but it seems the one on my CPU has fried and so when the computer turns on and heats up the computer freezes in OSX. Also I would like to know where I can purchase one of these and what size I need to get. If anyone can help it would be very appreciated. And if anyone has the breakdown of the different parts on the CPU that would be helpful too.
Thanks.

As long as your daughtercard fried, you may as well buy an upgrade. A new replacement is just as expensive as an upgrade in most cases, and hard to find. If you want a used replacement, ebay would probably yield some, but you'd have to be patient because they come and they go.
I found a whole machine on ebay that is the same as yours, 733 mhz. You could pull the card, drives, RAM, and have an extra PSU/logic board as a back up. You can "buyitnow" for $150 plus shipping. The link is here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/PowerMac-G4-733-mhz-733mhz-Digital-Audio-Gigabit-Ethnet_W0QQ itemZ220236355454QQihZ012QQcategoryZ111418QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I wouldn't suggest trying to operate on your old daughtercard, chances are if one thing blew then many other components failed as well. The time, effort and money would probably end up wasted at the end. I have done many daughtercard upgrades including overclocks and bus changes, and those little tiny resistors sure take a steady hand and a very fine tipped soldering iron. If you don't have any formal training in electronics then just forget about trying to fix it yourself.
My recommendation would be to upgrade to a new daughtercard. I used to have a dual 450 mhz gigabit ethernet, and overclocked it to 500, then 550, and spent a long time trying to get it up to 600 (cooling mods and all sorts of things). Eventually I broke down and spent the $400 on a dual 1.4 Ghz processor upgrade. Best decision I ever made! The upgrade is great and allows me to have the fastest computer possible still capable of running OS 9 and other strictly powerpc applications. If you are set on sticking with your currect DA for a little while longer, then go with an upgrade. A few vendors to consider are Sonnet and OWC. Their sites are here:
http://store1.sonnettech.com/index.php?cPath=22_26
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/accelerators/
As you can see, the cheapest card, a 1.0 ghz from Sonnet is around $170. That is way worth it compared to replacing your old card.
If you have any questions, just let me know.

Digital Audio not working on Satellite A505 S6012

My digital audio stopped working suddenly. I use HDMI to send the video out of my laptop to my projector. I had been successfully using, for over a year, a digital audio cable in the headphone (SP/DIF) jack to output the sound to my home receiver. The default audio set in the control panel is Realtek Digital Audio.
If I set the output to speakers and plug headphones in the jack, I get sound. If I set the output to Realtek Digital Audio and plug the digital audio cable in, I get no sound. I've tried new cables, changing the input to a different conection on my receiver, reinstalling the Realtek driver, and, as a last resort, completely recovering my laptop to the factory setting. Digital Audio still does not work.
Any suggestions? This is the main way we watch movies in my home.

hi, have you try out srs audio program it nice!
can u help me if u have make for yourself a recovery dvd of S505 S6012 because to mine i didnt do it and it gives me a lot of problems.
if you have please i would like to have it.
thanks....

Is there Digital Audio Output on the Macbook Pro

I am about to buy a 15" Mac Book Pro. I would like to know if the headphone out put jack also passes a digital audio signal?

Yep.

Sophos AV max scanning size / timeout

Hi,
I haven't found any changeable settings for max. scanning size or scanning timeout on a S160 v7.1.3 with Sophos AV.
In the GUI under "Security Services-->Anti-Maleware" it shows "Object Scanning Limits: Max. Object Size: 32 MB".
I'm not able to change it. This parameter seems not to belong to the Sophos AV.
I can change it only after enableing Webroot or McAfee first.
The CLI has no commands for adjusting AV settings.
How can I control the max. scanning size or scanning timeout with Sophos-AV?
Has it fixed values for it?
Does anyone have an idea, how it works?
Kind regards,
Manfred

With administrator rights, the value should be editable. The object size is applied to all scanners which have been licensed and enabled on the appliance.
~Tim

Digital audio G4 - max HD size ??

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