Making a used iBook my own...

I was raised a PC person, but I started a new job where they all use Apples. I purchased a used Blueberry colored iBook clamshell for my own personal work station, and I'm trying to upgrade it to better suit my needs. Here's what I know/need:
I bought it running OS 9.0.4 but I also purchased copies of OS 9.1 and OS 10.1.4. I was told that I had to get it up to 9.1 before upgrading to 10.1.4... is that true?
The hard drive was still loaded with the previous owners files, and many of them were password protected. How can I format the hard drive?
It currently has a 300MHz G3 processor, with 128MB of RAM. How high can I upgrade the RAM? On Crucial.com it said I could only go up to 288, but I've seen posts on here saying that I can go as high as 588. What the truth?
Also... what is FIRMWARE?? I've seen it a lot on these discussions also. "Make sure you update FIRMWARE!!" What does it do? How high should I update it? Did I ruin my chances by already installing OS 9.1??
I really do love my little blueberry. I only use it for word processing and data entry (MacOffice)... so it's perfect for my needs. I just need to upgrade it a tiny bit to be able to run on our server.
Thanks a ton to all who help!

Hi, and welcome to Apple Discussions.
I bought it running OS 9.0.4 but I also purchased copies of OS 9.1 and OS 10.1.4. I was told that I had to get it up to 9.1 before upgrading to 10.1.4... is that true? … Did I ruin my chances by already installing OS 9.1??"
Since you've already installed OS 9.1, it really doesn't matter whether it was necessary prior to installing OS X 10.1.4.
You only need to update the Firmware if installing OS X 10.2 or greater.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86117
Maximum RAM depends on whether the logic board RAM is 32 or 64 MB. According to EveryMac.com, "Apple officially reports that the maximum memory capacity of this system is 288 MB with 32 MB of onboard memory and 320 MB with 64 MB of onboard memory. However, third-parties have been able to upgrade the RAM to 544 MB or 576 MB, respectively, with a single 512 MB memory module."
What specifications do you need to run on the server? What is the size of your hard drive? OS X demands a lot of hard drive space. I would recommend staying in OS 9 if the hard drive has not been updated to 20 GB or more.
Also, you may want to try posting in the iBook (colors) Forum.
You have posted in the iBook G3 (Dual USB) Forum (the forum for the first all-white iBooks).

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(I'm new to Apple and have never owned or used one)!
thanks in advance

I believe that only the 900 MHz G3 iBook came with a 40 GB hard drive standard.
http://everymac.com/systems/apple/ibook/stats/ibook_900.html
Don't pay much attention to the price listed there. It's usually too high. A better check on price is eBay's list of Completed listings. (You will have to sign in to eBay to see the search results.)
If you are looking at that model, a Combo drive (so you can burn CD's) will be standard. It's a nice feature.
If you want to have wireless internet access, make sure that it already has the AirPort card installed because the original AirPort card that any G3 iBook requires is becoming scarce and expensive since Apple stopped selling them a couple of years ago. Plan on spending $130 (or more) for a used AirPort card if it doesn't have one.
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Hey guys I got a used iBook from a family friend who had it password protected and he doesn't remember the password.Is there a way to get around this without wiping the computer?I don't have any of software discs and can't update or delete anything.Thanx

Hey guys I got a used iBook from a family friend that has it password protected.I can't update or delete programs or download anything without the passwords and he doesn't remember them.Is there any way for me to get around these without wiping the computer and starting from scratch?

Hello,
Sadly without the system disk you can't do a lot. I would suggest you enable root user, log in as root and reset your administrators password, however you can't without knowing the administrator password first.
The only solution would be is to obtain the correct system disk or buy a retail copy of Mac OS X. But note, it depends on what version of the iBook you own depends, on what version of Mac OS X you will require.
You can still obtain the system disk or retail disks from online vendors, but they come at a cost.
System disk are grey in color, while retail disk have a big 'X' on it.
Best of luck

Hi ,I barely got this from USPS ,and it's used ibook G4 ,I don't know a password from there username I couldn't even use it because it already used ?do you how to restore the whole system for iBook G4 ,without the password

Hi ?okay barley got this from USPS but it's in used ,somebody already own this ibook G4 ,I only use it for 1 min on this OS X and then when I try to go any file I have to type in a password ,but I don't know the password ?do you how to restore everything and restart everything ,without the password?

The seller should have included a bootable OS X system DVD that would work in that computer; preferrably one that matches the OS X installed in the computer when you got it. Have you contacted the seller?
If you can find the serial number and any other model identifier of the iBook portable, you could probably get a Replacement OS X Tiger 10.4 system DVD from Apple for about $20; a white-label disc that should work in an old iBook G4. This should not be an original install-restore disc specific to the iBook, but there may be one available. (Originals shipped with a Mac were gray color and say the computer name, and those discs have a part number related to the Mac models build year, etc they shipped with.) A 'replacement' white disc should work with more than one specific series of Mac that could support the OS X.
As these computers get older and farther away from the date of manufacture, replacement discs or copies of original software kits, no longer made, are harder to come by. However the white label 'replacement' from AppleCare, may be the ticket, if you can order one and if they still have them. And, if it works.
With a system disc, you can erase and install (or secure erase, reformat, & install, then update) a system on the hard disk drive. By doing the secure erase, the Disk Utility will write a pass of zeros over the old content and that can help clear up old issues in a questionable used computer's hard disk drive, but you'd need an OS X install disc. You can call AppleCare or Apple Sales Support (not the main store or main online pages, its not a regular item) and if you are lucky, you may talk to someone who knows these exist. A few ASC discussion threads have mentioned these, and people who bought them posted pictures of the actual discs.
There are some ways to attempt to reset an admin password, usually with the install disc for OS X; but another way using Single-user mode or command-line Terminal, to go into unix and change settings at a level beneath the graphic user interface.
•TidBits: Five Ways to Reset a Lost Admin Password
https://tidbits.com/article/14437
+see comments post link, for Carlos single-user idea
https://tidbits.com/article/14437#comments_22009
not recommended for casual use without knowledge
•With an OS X disc, how to reset lost passwords:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1274
You'll have to search and reword for other online ideas.
If you bought the iBook from an auction, suggest they
should include the disc, since it implies a license to
have the system software installed. It is the proof.
The replacement OS X install disc for Tiger or Leopard
(depending on the computer, what it may use best) are
ideas, so ask AppleCare about them. If you can, get
both, so you may have one that does the job.
PS: If someone set an Open Firmware password, that
is another matter to access the locked computer. At a
level of security higher than Admin, near impossible.
Almost as bad as encrypting the hard drive.
Good luck & happy computing!

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tim

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To good citizens of the MAC world,
I am the founder of a non-profit organization, we are caring for 6,200 orphans and street kids in Vietnam. A donor had just donated her used iBook G4 for us to use in one of our several "learning centers" in Vietnam. Folks sometimes donating PC but this is the first time we ever received a MAC.. :-) I would like to know how to start this iBook all over new: change username and password. I am looking so forward to bring it to Saigon in a few days and let our children experience MAC ... I am a 2 years MAC users and I have no intention to return to the Dark side. Please help. I have the original OS disk. Thank you so much.

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http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1561?viewlocale=en_US
Good luck with it.

Making a used iBook my own...

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