Firewire on a Lombard!

Hi. I recently bought an old Lombard that was in near-mint condition and upgraded it with 512Mb RAM and a 5400rpm drive. I love it! What a work of art.
Now, here's the puzzle. By an excruciating effort, I managed to get Tiger working on it, only to find that it did not support the SCSI port! Then, by another excruciating effort, I managed to obtain some Panther installation disks on eBay and it all works fine. I now have a two-partition, dual-boot OS 9/Panther setup.
Here's the knot: During the brief Tiger era, I managed to get a cheap, no-name-brand PCMCIA card with firewire working on it by downloading the firewire firmware. But since installing Panther, I've lost the firewire firmware installations and the link where I got them, and have since learned that firewire with Panther is somewhat problematic.
Are there some generic firewire firmware installation programs I can use to get the firewire PCMCIA card working again?
MTIA, Matt

Matt,
All versions of OSX natively support FireWire CardBus PC cards; you should be able to just pop a card in the PCMCIA slot and go. The cards require no firmware updates or additional software. Here are some general points:
- A FireWire PC cards does NOT supply bus power as does a built-in FireWire port, so your FW devices will need their own power supply. You can buy FW PC cards that also have a small power supply which plugs into the card.
- You cannot boot to a FW HD through a FW PC card; this is only supported on Macs with built-in FireWire.
- Does the PC card icon appear in the menu bar?
- If you did install third-party software that came with a FW PC card, remove it if possible...it may conflict with OSX's drivers.
- If the no-name/generic PC card does not work properly, try another.

Similar Messages

Adding firewire to a Lombard: Is a PC card 100% reliable?

I have a Belkin firewire PC card for my G3 Lombard powerbook (there is no built-in firewire on the Lombard), and I was thinking about connecting a Lacie Porsche hard drive using the firewire card.
But does anyone know if a connection like this is completely reliable? I'm going to use it for backing up data, and it would be terrible to discover at a later stage i.e. that some of the files have been corrupted.
Basically the Belkin card was made especially for Apple G3 powerbooks, for video importing and connection of firewire devices, so it should be ok. But on the other hand, Lacie suggest using native FireWire ports when possible...hmm...(??)
Thanks in advance for any advice on this.

apple.pie,
Although not the last word on the subject, I have never read anything negative on the integrity of data passing through FireWire PC cards. Since I am not familiar with the Porsche HD, I will add this comment: Both FireWire and USB PC cards supply limited bus power; if the LaCie HD does not have its own power supply, the FW PC card will not run the HD. Portable FW and USB (2.5") HDs usually run just fine from built-in ports but not PC cards.
You will also have to install the FireWire drivers for 9.x while they are built-in with OSX:
FireWire Support
FireWire Enabler
FireWire CardBus Enabler

Ibook to powerbook

hi-
i want to connect my ibook g4 to my powerbook (lombard) via ethernet cord. i want to get some files off of my powerbook. is there any way i can do that? also, i want to put mac os 10.4 on my powerbook, i have the cds but my powerbook doesn't have a dvd drive, just a cd-rom. what otherway can i put tiger on my powerbook? can i do it by the ethernet cord? please go through this step by step, and i;ll try not to get lost
thanks, Jordan

If you purchased a retail copy of Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger), you can download this form to exchange your DVD for a set of CDs. You cannot install the copy of Tiger that came with your iBook on another computer. Unfortunately, Tiger is not supported on the "Lombard" PowerBooks. One of the minimum requirements is built-in FireWire which the Lombard does not have. Take a look at the Tech Specs for Tiger.
Which version of the Mac OS is running on your PowerBook? Yes, you can connect the two computers with an Ethernet cable (no need to find a "crossover" Ethernet cable, the iBook will route the data correctly on a standard "patch" cable) and share files. But the steps you take to set up file sharing depend on the versions of Mac OS that you're using.
-Doug

Boot from Firewire External, OS 9.2, Lombard 400 with OrangeLink card?

I have a Lombard 400, running 9.2.1 with an OrangeLink Card. I have a Firewire external drive with a bootable 10.3.9 drive cloned to it. I have sucessfully booted from this drive to clone the drive to another powerbook I have, so I know it is bootable. The firewire drive shows up on the desktop of the Lombard and I can choose it as the startup disk in the control panel. However, when I restart the computer, it boots back into OS 9. What step am I missing here? I read documentation that the Firewire card is okay for booting.

Amy,
Unfortunately you cannot boot through a FireWire PC card; it does not have the onboard firmware necessary to initialize at startup as does built-in FireWire. In addition, it does require supporting software and this does not load until the OS loads. The only bootable external drive would be a pure SCSI HD or an ATA/IDE HD in a case that uses a SCSI interface.
There is one possible alternative which I have never tried, but the application XPostFacto, used to install OSX on unsupported machines, can be used as a "helper" to boot an external FW drive through a PC card. How well this works I just don't know...
http://eshop.macsales.com/OSXCenter/XPostFacto/

Pismo (powerbook g3 with firewire) upgrade to mac osx 10.4.9

After having this Powerbook G3 Pismo (400 MHz, 2 firewire and 2 USB ports) I decided to upgrade from 10.3 up to 10.4.9 (if doable).
Since this Powerbook G3 had a 5.59 GB hard drive (which had 12% free space) and 512MB RAM I could tell there were many things that had to be done but I'd try them in steps first.
I ordered additional RAM (2 512MB cards from www.powerbookmedic.com) for $189.90 ($94.95 each 512MB card). The idea would be replacing the two 256MB cards. The cards arrived 3 days later and I had no trouble replacing the top 256MB card (thus going from 512MB to 768MB) but the lower card was going to be a bit of trouble.
I noticed a performance change right away with activity monitor (CPU usage, system memory, etc) and decided it would be worth it to continue.
Circuit City in Deerfield Beach, Florida is an authorized Apple service center so a trip to them was next. I explained that I wanted the hard drive replaced (5.56 GB) with a 60 GB one ($80 for the hard drive), and install the 512MB card that I brought with me ($30 labor). Paid for all of items ($80 for hard drive plus $30 for labor) and went home.
A few hours later Circuit City called up and said I could pick up the Powerbook on Sunday morning after 11:00. Wow!
Picked it up and tested a few items by doing a software update (it now had 10.3 loaded on to the 60 GB drive). I used Circuit City's wireless connection there at the service counter. All the updates came up fine (glad they did not charge me for bandwidth).
Off to home and where I still had my Mac OS X 10.4 DVD from my MacBoook Pro 17". Put in the Mac OS X 10.4 DVD and kept my fingers crossed. It worked, took about 45 minutes all said and down.
Under system preferences made sure that synching thru .Mac was enabled so now my Powerbook G3 has all the addressbook, bookmarks, iCal, etc of my Macbook Pro.
Not a lot of dollars ($300) to get a 7 year old computer (February 2000 when purchased) to year 2007.
Can't say it would work the same if I had a lombard or wallstreet version but it certainly did work out well for pismo (400 MHz, 2 firewire and 2 usb ports). It makes me think how advanced this powerbook g3 was back in early 2000.

Hi sanchezpaulk!
You wrote "Off to home and where I still had my Mac OS X 10.4 DVD from my MacBoook Pro 17". Put in the Mac OS X 10.4 DVD and kept my fingers crossed. It worked, took about 45 minutes all said and down."
I'm very surprised that you were able to use a Model Specific install disc, for an Intel Mac, to install a functioning system on a PPC Mac.
Additional info in these links.
Using OS X Install CDs/DVDs On Multiple Macs
What's A Computer Specific Mac OS X Release
Software Update, Upgrade: What's The Difference?
ali b

Can I install Panther on my Lombard 400?

I was just given a hand-me-down Powerbook G3 Lombard 400 Mhz(bronze keyboard), wiped of all external applications. It's got 192M of built-in memory (64MB bottom, 128MB top) and 257MB virtual memory on the HD. HD is 8 GB original, plus 3.4 GB extended HD, which was installed later (I think). I've upgraded to OS 9.2.2, and have it networked to my home wireless network with Airport 2.0.4 and a Lucent PCI card.
But I'm wondering whether I can upgrade this machine to OSX 10.3 Panther. I believe that my friend has a set of retail disks that I can use (legally). Do I have enough memory/processing power? Can I upgrade directly from 9.2.2 to Panther, or would I have to install 10.1 or 10.2 first? (Don't have those disks.)
If so, here's the next problem: all I have is a zip drive -- no CD or DVD. So here are the questions: Can I install OSX by copying the disks to zip disks (I have a USB zip drive at my office) on my work PC, and then installing from zip disks? (I believe I saw on another forum that I can't install from a USB CD or DVD drive.) If the zip approach won't work, any other ideas? (I've got an Intel Mac Mini running Leopard at home -- don't know if that would help.)
Or should I just give up and stick with OS9? I'm not up for installing more RAM, spending money to buy a Lombard CD/DVD drive on Ebay, etc.
Thanks for any advice!

A Lombard with 192mb RAM should be able to run up to Panther 10.3.9. More RAM would be better.
If the disks are retail (full-install), you don't have to have any previous OS installed. Mac OS 9 is separate, so you can have both Mac OS X and Mac OS 9 installed and switch between the two at will.
I don't see any way to install using a Zip drive. A Zip disk only holds about 100mb. A CD holds 600-700mb. Also, you can't boot from a USB drive.
The only way I can see to install on a Lombard without an optical drive is to remove the internal drive, install it into a FireWire external drive case, and connect it to another PowerPC (not Intel) Mac to perform the installation. Then, put the drive back into the Lombard.
Also, since you have a nice Mac mini for Mac OS X, it might be good to keep that Lombard a pure Mac OS 9 machine. In its current config, it's a great Mac for Mac OS 9.

External DVD drive not working with Lombard G3 333

I have an external DVD drive that worked when I had 10.4, but had to reformat HD and now only have 10.3.9, and now the DVD drive does not work with DVDs, it will work with CDs and CDR media, but not with DVD media. My Lombard did not come with DVD originally and I am using a PC Card (Macintosh PowerBook DVD-Video PC Card For PowerBook G3 Series) and it worked before with 10.4, but not with 10.3, any ideas? Also have tried with 9.x, no go either. Any help would be appreciated.
Also, would it be difficult to add a DVD logic board to my Lombard?
Joey

xamdu,
I am reading and replying to this post after first replying to your other post, so a few of my previous comments are redundant.
Regarding the FireWire(?) USB 2.0(?) DVD drive: It is possible Tiger supported your DVD drive but Panther does not. I would give PatchBurn for Panther a try:
http://patchburn.de/download.html
If the above is unsuccessful, take a look at this workaround:
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20040330171655882
You can swap logic boards but it does require a lot of disassembly.
Since no version of OSX supports Apple DVD Player, I am assuming you have a third-party player like VLC installed to watch movies. If this is the case, the DVD Decoder PC card is not necessary. If booted to 9.x, you of course will need the decoder PC card but I did not know 9.x's Apple DVD Player supported external drives.

DVD-ROM for Lombard

What the cheapest way to get a dvd onto the desktop a Lombard (OS 10.3):
A used Apple branded DVD drive from ebay - $50+
A third party drive that will work in the optical drive slot - What will work?
A firewire PCMCIA card with an old external DVD drive I own - $20 (will it work).
Thanks

HnakGood,
If you connect a FireWire DVD drive, you will be unable to boot to a CD or DVD. FireWire / USB CardBus PC cards do not support booting, only built-in FireWire and USB do.
Buying a used Apple DVD drive can be risky...you have no idea how hard it has been used or how long it will last.
The other option of replacing the optical drive in your current DVD caddy is a nice way to go, but it sounds like your caddy may be damaged since the tray will not stay locked in. If you remove the DVD drive, turn it over, then push an opened paperclip into the manual eject hole, you will see how this mechanism works. Possibly disassembling the drive to get at the locking mechanism may present a solution. Here's a helpful guide:
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/macdan/PB99_2K_EBMsled.html

Lombard help needed

After giving up on my two pismos I started to use my old lombard now it won't boot.
I took the hd out to connect it to my g5 via a firewire connector, I put it back in and now it won't boot I just get the flashing question mark. I've disconnected all power and pressed the reset button but still nothing. I've tried pressing comandoption+pr but it won't reset the pram, It won't boot from a cd either.
I've run disk utility on the had drive and it checks out ok, it also spins up and I can hear hard drive activity but it just won't boot.
any ideas? this is my last remaining laptop and I'd hate to think it's as dead as the pismos.

Thanx guys,
I've locate the problem, I'll try and explain the best I can.
The connector on the logicboard that the hd cable slots on to has has little lines 'data wires?' running down the side of the connector, they also run out from the connector about 2mm across the logicboard. Knowing what a nightmare powerbook connectors are I pressed the hard drive cable down hard when I reconnected it, DONT DO THIS!!!!!!!! In doing so I squashed the little lines that run onto the logicboard and flattened them, of course, lines that are so close together when squashed touch each other causing a short. I did try and seperate them again very carefully with a scalpel blade but it's just made it a heap load worse, now the lombard starts, shorts, restarts, shorts, restarts....
you get the picture!!

Security update will not load on my lombard's mce HD

Have lombard with 512meg/80gig(10.3.9/9.2.2/vpc 6.1. 10.3.9 b/c I need working scsi. All works aok. Also have mce expansion bay hd 40 gig for 10.4.5, which has worked flawlessly until last 2 newest security updates, which refuse to load always saying "error installing update". This is the first problem I've had with this setup since 10.4 with all previous updates working...
What's up?
FYI: same two security updates worked fine on 10.3.9.

The Lombard does not support 10.4.5. You may be able to install it with XPostfacto, but it would be akin to putting a jet engine on a chariot. 10.3.9 is the maximum operating system supported by Apple on that machine. Built-in Firewire, means built-in by Apple. Many SCSI peripherals now have USB and Firewire comparable versions. If you really need 10.4, it is time to get a newer machine. Here's my FAQ on migrating to Mac OS X, which explains what Macs support which operating systems among other things:
http://www.macmaps.com/macosxnative.html
Disclaimer: Reference to links I make to my Macmaps.com website are a for your information only type reference. I do not get any profit from this page, and it is open to the public.

Lombard, iMovie and PC Card

I have a Lombard 333 with 320 MB RAM and OS 10.2.8 and 9.2.1 on two 20GB partitions. I also have a cardbus firewire card, 400MBPS. On OS 9 the card shows up on the desktop when I install it, but if it's already in when I start it up it will not start, just shows an unending gray screen. When I tried to hook up my Canon ZR25 by firewire iMovie 2 says, camera not connected.
On OS 10 the card does not show up on the desktop, but iMovie 2 sees the connected camera and can control it.
Is there any way to get the camera recognized in OS 9? Not that it matters, I mostly use the iMac G5, but if I ever actually need to? I don't have any other firewire things to try out to see if they work, which ones might?

Sludgedragon,
Do you have these three items in the System Folder > Extensions folder?
FireWire CardBus Enabler
FireWire Enabler
FireWire Support
If not, you can custom install them if you have a MacOS 9.2.1 CD; if your CD is an older verswion, you will not be permitted to install software.
If you used the MacOS 9.2.1 Update to update an earlier version of OS, it has all three extensions. I would do this:
1. Start up to your OS 9.2.1, then insert your FireWire PC card. You should have a PC card icon on the desktop since the powerbook recognizes this piece of hardware.
2. Run the MacOS 9.2.1 Update on top of your installed OS 9.2.1. The Update will "see" that you now have FireWire hardware and install the appropriate files. There is no way to custom install individual components from an Updater (there is using a third-party utility but not necessary here).
3. Now since you cannot boot your Lombard to 9.x with the FireWire PC card present, eject the PC card by pushing an opened paperclip into the small hole next to the PC card slot.
4. Now restart, then insert the FW PC card and see if it works.
I have a cheap FW PC card for my Wallstreet; it will boot into 9.x with the PC card present and work normally. But if I insert the card after the 'book is started, it will not work...I must restart with the card installed. So your mileage may vary on how the card will perform after installing the software (if in fact it was missing).

Lombard crashes irregularly

I hope this is in the right place. I'm new here and relatively inexperienced with Macs, but I will try to be as clear as I can.
A few years ago, I was given a G3 Lombard that had hardly been used. Everything in and on the machine was original (OS 8x., 6 Gb HD, 128 RAM) and operated nicely. Then I discovered that it had a tendency to crash--totally freeze up, forcing me to install the OS again to get it going. Having never had a Mac before but being handy with computers--not expert, just brave enough to take things apart--I replaced the top RAM with a new 256 MB card, replaced the HD with an 18 Gb HD and installed OS X.2.6. I thought these steps would fix the crash problem.
Everything runs fine for a while, but the crash problem is still there. In the middle of a process, usually while I'm online but a couple times when I started it back up from a sleep, it will suddenly freeze or the restart screen pops up. Then I have to push the restart button in the back. When I power it back up, I get the flashing apple with the strike through it, so I push the button again, boot from the OS CD then reinstall OS X onto the machine, choosing archive & install from the install options. This is the only way I have found to get it working again--and it does work just fine, sometimes for a week, a couple times for just a day or two, usually for a couple months, until it inexplicably crashes yet again. There's no telling when it will happen.
The computer never runs hot, the battery is original and still quite good as I usually have it plugged in, and there are no noises or indications that anything is amiss. I don't know if this is important, but I'll add that sometimes the Internet Connect clock (on the menu bar) will occasionally stay at 00.00--not count how long I've been online, though this doesn't always predict a crash. It happened just this morning and when I dialed up again later, it was fine.
I've been told the problem is probably with the logic board, but looking around online, I see it could be the RAM, too. I only replaced the top slot. I ran the "render" program and everything checked out okay, though. All my numbers (RAM, cache) are what they should be when I look at them.
I do love this little laptop and would like to fix it if I can, hopefully upgrade it to 10.3 and use it for more than web browsing. (I don't keep data on it because if something goes wrong with the install, a repeated install only gives me the choice of Erase and Install--no archiving.)
I was wondering if there is any other way to see what the problem is, or if anyone has any better guesses as to what the problem is. Any information would be great.
Message was edited by: dalairemarti

dalairmarti,
Welcome to the Discussions.
You have a nice Lombard that will run not only Panther/10.3, but also Tiger/10.4. Tiger can be installed using XPostFacto (needed to boot the Tiger DVD •if• you have a DVD drive) or the HD can be removed, placed in a FireWire HD enclosure and connected to another Mac that boots Tiger for the installation.
The problem you describe can sometimes be quite difficult to track down. One potential issue on these aging machines is a bad solder joint on one of the boards; as the 'book heats up and/or is flexed/torqued in just the right manner, this joint might open, thus causing the freeze. And as you suggest, memory can also be the issue.
I would address the memory issue first. Lift out the microprocessor card (very easy), remove the 64MB module from the bottom slot on the underside of the microprocessor card, then reinstall the card with just the new 256MB in the top slot. You will want to test this until the next freeze or until you are sure this 64 was the problem.
When the 'book freezes, try these restarts:
1. First, try the forced restart: command(Apple)-ctrl-power.
2. If no success, press/hold the power button until it shuts down, then power back on.
3. If you still get the flashing '?', press the power button until it shuts down, then power on while pressing the 'command-option-R-P' keys to reset the PRAM (wait for at least two startup chimes).
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238
4. If still blocked, boot to the Jag CD > immediately go up to the menu bar (don't click any buttons or you will have to restart to the CD) and select Disk Utility, run First Aid and see if you can get back into your HD without reinstalling.
Here is a good guide for disassembly:
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/PowerBook-G3-Lombard/31/
By the way, since you have replaced RAM in the top slot, all you have to do is lift out the microprocessor card, one additional step.

Lombard failure to boot

I have a G3 Lombard 400 with a Daystar G4 433 processor installed. (I still have the good G3 processor.) I was running OS 10.2.8 and all was well except that I could no longer download some of the web sites I need, presumably because my Safari needed updating. I had 512 of RAM. I loaded Xpostfacto and started to install OS 10.4 (hitting all the default buttons) and the installation ran to 23% completed whereupon the system froze. I left it running for over 2 hours, thinking there might be some installation slowdown. On restart I got a kernal panic. I reset the PRAM (little button on back) and tried a restart. No good - still a kernal panic. Since then, I have removed the lower RAM and on restart, I get the blue screen with the Apple, but that is all, no little spinning pinwheel, nothing else no matter how long I wait. I tried booting from various discs (OS 10.4, OS 10.2, from OS 9.) It won't read the disc, just gives the blue Apple screen with the apple and no spinning wheel. I disconnected the hard drive and tried to start from the disc and I only get the little folder with the question mark flashing. I swapped out the dvd drive and got the same result. I tried disconnecting the battery, the PRAM battery, the keyboard (used a USB board from my Cube) and swapping various RAM cards. I even tried the original G3 processor. Nothing works. It won't start from the dvd drive and it won't start from the hard drive past the blue screen and apple without the spinning wheel.
Any suggestions out there about what might be going on?
Any suggestions about other things to try?
Note: it was running fine prior to trying to install OS 10.4 with Xpostfacto, other than that I couldn't use a couple of the websites I need using Safari with OS 10.2, though I could get them using Firefox.

mmgar,
Sorry nothing has worked. Unfortunately the Lombard does not support Startup Manager as does the Pismo and all later Macs.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1310?viewlocale=en_US
Have you tried booting with all peripherals disconnected?
You may in fact have a hardware problem since both the HD and optical drive will not work. Both of these use the same IDE controller on the logic board. If just the HD or HD ribbon cable was the problem, the optical drive would still boot when the HD was removed. The only way I can see for testing if the IDE controller has failed is to mount a known-good HD with a bootable OS in the Lombard and see if it will boot. There is a fairly simple way to accomplish this:
-Mount your Lombard's HD in a 2.5" FireWire HD enclosure, connect it to another Mac running 10.2.x or 10.3.x or 10.4.x and clone the host's OS to the external FireWire HD. After the FW HD mounts on the host's desktop, you may first wish to drag-copy your User's folder from the Lombard's HD to the host computer before erasing the Lombard's HD. Using the freeware Carbon Copy Cloner or the shareware SuperDuper! (I prefer SD and you can use its basic features without contributing), install one of these clone utilities on the host computer and follow the instructions...very simple.
-After cloning the OS, restart to the FW HD to make sure it works. If successful, install the HD back in the Lombard and test.
-You can clone to a 2.5" USB HD enclosure but you cannot boot the USB drive to check the installation; only Leopard/10.5 supports USB booting.
-You can also install OSX on the FW or USB HD enclosure by booting to the OSX CD or DVD as long as it is supported on the host computer.
-You can natively run Tiger/10.4 on the Lombard without XPostFacto if you install Tiger in the above manner. XPostFacto is only needed on the Lombard to boot the Tiger DVD; the installer script on the Tiger DVD looks for supported computers and the Lombard is not one, so the DVD will not boot. However, limiting Tiger support to only computers with built-in FireWire was an arbitrary cutoff point; the Lombard is fully supported with Tiger (no XPostFacto) as many Lombard owners will attest to.

Panther on a Lombard

I have alOmbard computer, with jaguar. I want to update to Panther. I cannot get the retail install disc 1 to work as a startup disk. I had to replace the CD ROM with a new CD-rw/DVD-ROM, model #lsc-24082k (NO manufacturer noted). It works great for everything, except as a startup device.
I have zapped PRAM, and told the disk to "restart". I have selected the startup disk from System Preferences, and I have held down the "C" key. Is there some way to force this to hapen?
I have googled the model number, and get a lot of info on the device, including firmware updates (Windows exe files). Thanks.

scb,
Is it possible you could put the drive in a Pismo and see if it will boot a CD? This would at least confirm the health of the drive. I suggest this in the event the Lombard, which has a different firmware version than the Pismo, just will not support booting this drive. Also, some third-party optical drives that do not support 'c' booting on the Pismo, can usually still boot using the 'option' key at startup...this brings up the Startup Manager. Unfortunately, the Lombard does not support this feature.
You will again be disappointed...no powerbook supports booting through a FireWire or USB PC card...they just do not have the built-in firmware/hardware to initialize as a startup device.
One of the limitations of the Lombard is only the SCSI port and media bay can be used for booting. The Pismo can also boot to its built-in FireWire and USB (9.x-only) ports.
I cannot find any info as to whether the lsc-24082k can be made bootable on the Lombard. If you are adventurous, you could try the solder-fix even though it is reported as set to master.
Otherwise, you could buy a new but still inexpensive DVD-ROM mechanism for your current DVD sled; it would give you the needed boot device.
http://www.wegenermedia.com/pismodvd.htm
Or, I would again go to this site...
http://forums.xlr8yourmac.com/drivedb/action.lasso?-search
...and just enter 'Combo DVD-CDR' and 'Powerbook G3 Lombard', then search. There are about 19 reports using various drives.

Difference Between Lombard and Pismo???

Hi,
How do you extinguish the difference the PowerBook Lombard and Pismo? I'm planning on purchasing one but the person don't know anything. The only thing that he know is it is 400MHz.

Hi Q-Tip,
Axl has covered most of the bases, but I thought I'd add a few details that my research took me to when buying my Pismo.
The major differences between the original Bronze Keyboard/Lombard and the Firewire/Pismo PowerBooks are indeed the ports - the Lombard has modem, display, TV-out (on some models),ethernet network, USB, audio in/out and a SCSI port (the SCSI port on a PowerBook looks like a large square connector with 30 pins) all under the rear flap; if the modem is elsewhere, it's a Wallstreet, but they never reached 400MHz. The Pismo has the same combination, but where the large, square port would be (sandwiched between the ethernet and TV-out ports), there are two vertical plugs that may look like large USB ports on first glance. However, they have a three-sided logo that looks like a radioactive symbol. If you have a 4th-generation or earlier iPod, have a look at the two leads you will have recieved with it; the USB is the flat lead, but the Firewire has the larger, wider plug. The symbol on the plug is what will tell you if you have a Pismo.
Now, the subtle differences. The Lombard uses a 66MHz bus on it's processor, which means it uses 66MHz memory. By comparison, the Pismo runs at 100MHz for CPU bus and memory interface, making it faster for the same clock speed.
The Lombard uses roughly the same graphics chip as the Pismo, but runs on a standard PCI interface like the early iMacs. The Pismo has AGP graphics, again making it faster for the same graphics chip.
The Lombard comes with either CD or DVD-ROM drives. This means it's hit or miss whether the notebook supports DVD playback - a decoder module is built into the logic board of some Lombards, but if the PowerBook originally had a CD drive and was upgraded to a DVD drive at a later date, chances are you'll need a decoder card (thats a: if the PowerBook has a DVD drive, and b: if the decoder card isn't present). The Pismo, by contrast, shipped with a DVD drive as standard; the decoder is featured on the logic board of all Pismos.
Otherwise, the chassis is roughly the same - bronze keyboard/trackpad/display release, black plastic case, 14.1" screen PC card slot, etc. The only way of knowing on sight whether you have the Lombard or Pismo is by checking the rear ports. Given what I've mentioned above, the Pismo is always going to have the edge in most applications, but if you need SCSI, then the Lombard is the natural choice. Be aware of what Axl said though; the Lombard isn't cut out for Tiger. You might get lucky and get OSX on it, but I'm not sure about it's capabilities. My Pismo G3-400 runs Tiger quite nicely, but the slower memory and bus of a Lombard might put OSX too far out of reach.
Hope this is helpful,
Rob Johnson
PowerBook G3 Pismo, 400MHz 1MB Cache, 192MB RAM, 6GB Hard Drive, DVD-ROM Mac OS X (10.4.6) Bye bye Microsoft! I've got a PowerBook now! Ha ha ha!

Firewire on a Lombard!

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