What to do with old PPC Mac Mini?

I've got an old Mac Mini Power PC lying around with 160 GB HD and 1 GB of RAM. Rather than just let it collect dust, are there any interesting things I can do with it within my home? I'm not looking to run my own web or email server, but any other ideas I'd love to hear.
Thanks

Hello Wayne,
Unless your running a SOHO (Small Office Home Office if your not familiar with the term) the mini server is WAY WAY overkill. For what your wanting to do, the regular version of the OS will work just fine.
Several companies have drive enclosures that look almost identical to the mac mini that is a concern, I'll post a link to one at the end of this response.
If you were going to connect connect your two Mini's directly via the ethernet port you would loose your internet connectivity unless you went (a)wireless for the network portion of your project or (b) got one of apple's usb/ethernet adapters. My suggestion would be to pick up like a netgear, or some other brand, multiport router and plug both units into it.
FW400 to FW00 works fine, I've used it several times when migrating some of the people I support from older macs to newer ones.
Hope this helps or gives you more ideas LOL

Similar Messages

  • Will my 5 year old lg flatron monitor 1730S work with a new mac mini ? thank you.

    Will my 5 year old ( hardly used ) LG flatron monitor 1730S work with a new Mac Mini ? Thank You. Robert.

    You don't say what sort of Inputs it has available, but if VGA, DVI or HDMI then yes, you might need to buy an adapter of some type though ...

  • Is it possible to screen share an old iMac running 10.4 with a new Mac Mini running Yosemite

    Is it possible to screen share an old iMac running 10.4 with a new Mac Mini running Yosemite. I am trying to bring the old iMac screen up on the Yosemite system

    Hello! Not out of the box: OS X Mountain Lion: About screen sharing  You'll have to look for third-party options like Teamviewer

  • Can I use my old apple monitor with a new mac mini?

    Can I use my old apple monitor with a new mac mini?

    Probably.  Any information about the monitor?

  • What external dvd burner is compatible with my 2007 mac mini running OS X 10.5.8?

    What external dvd burner is compatible with my 2007 mac mini running OS X 10.5.8?

    I have an LG GE24LU20 and works great with either my iMac or Mac Mini.
    LG GE24LU20 Optical Drives - 24x External Super-Multi DVD Rewriter - LG Electronics US
    Heck' I can even open and close the tray from my menu bar icon,
    plus it is way faster and less finicky than the superdrives.

  • Antecea iPad Desktop Connect app broken with PPC mac mini

    Have a PPC mini? Considering Antecea's Desktop Connect? Please read the following:
    Desiring iPad client / PPC Mac mini server VNC, we purchased Antecea's "Desktop Connect" application - which was quite expensive for my iPod-trained wallet. Anything over $10 better jump, skip and tell me I'm really, REALLY handsome. So my expectations were high.
    After setting up the proper conditions on the Mac's "Sharing" preference, I could VNC in from my mac pro using "Chicken of the VNC", so was sure the mini was configured correctly.
    The iPad could also VNC using Desktop Connect to my desktop, and to a couple of PCs we have around that already had VNC servers running on them. Things looked fine up to that point.
    However, while it connects to the PPC mini, the display is distorted as if it has the wrong number of bitplanes or something similar -- icons are jumbled messes of color, and sections of backdrop screen are the wrong colors. It isn't usable.
    A short hunt on the net provided a web site for Antecea; I checked the FAQ, and finding nothing, opened a support incident. Within a few hours I had my answer via email:
    "We are aware of an issue with colors when connecting to PPC Macs. Unfortunately, there is no workaround at this time. We do anticipate a fix with a newer release of Desktop Connect in June."
    That's it... no offer of a refund, no workaround, no nothing. So it's wait and see. Right now, it's a complete waste of money. PPC Buyer beware.

    I don't want a refund; I just think it would have been appropriate for them to offer one, seeing as how the thing is nonfunctional for its intended purpose at the moment. I posted so that others could have the benefit of my experience, mainly. And on that level, thanks for your post, as that might be useful info for anyone who bought before they got to read this.

  • What display do you use with your 2005 Mac mini?

    Hi all,
    I was wondering which displays people are using with their 2005 Mac minis and
    which (if any) adapters are necessary?
    Thanks!
    Mike

    I'm using a Magnavox 15" LCD TV via it's VGA input on my day one mini. The original 2005 minis have a full sized normal DVI output and came with a DVI to VGA adapter. If yours no longer has that, it's the only adapter you'd need for most common computer monitors. Many newer monitors come with DVI already, so no adapter would be needed.

  • Need to upgrade memory in ppc mac mini

    Does anyone know of a step by step guide with pictures to installing memory in a ppc mac mini? Need to upgrade to a gig to use some graphics software. Thanks,
    Steve

    In sleep mode (STR) the RAM has to be refreshed to
    keep the memory content, so the more you got the more
    power will be consumed on this.
    Having less ram will therefore benefit battery life
    in sleep mode.
    This is only of concern to portable users of course, and the additional RAM has barely any impact on power demand whether from mains-power or battery. Some admittedly, but not much. Nor would it be all that easy to tell what drain it caused since there are other variables involved with battery drain rates too, such as ambient temperature.
    There is still room for improvement in whatever
    algorithm it is that determines when "inactive"
    memory is released. Paging frequently happens after
    copying large files since all memory is in use and
    "recently" so, even if this use is one where the
    content is NOT likely to be needed again.
    The much hyped idea that "old" inactive memory is
    being released when more is needed I find it
    difficult to confirm, or paging would not be needed.
    Simply caching EVERYTHING does not in my mind count
    as an "intelligent" algorithm..
    As much as this may be valid, there is no way the user is able to change the algorithm - it's part of the operating system. As such, the user can really only take such steps as may be possible to improve the working of the system - one significant such step being adding RAM.
    This can be cleared up by running "repair
    permissions" in DU, since it seems to release much of
    the inactive RAM. It would be much better to have a
    small utility to do this, though, if making the OS
    more intelligent is not an option.
    Running disk utility may be an effective method of resolving memory allocations etc, but it then places the onus on the user to monitor the system and manually activate a process. Part of the appeal of MacOS to many people is that it removes much of the onus users of other operating systems feel is placed on them to keep tuning the system - activities which detract from the use of the system.
    Ultimately, I have to say that I have never found the need to do anything of that sort. I do use MenuMeters (a very neat little app to place system monitoring tools in the menu bar and which uses barely any CPU overhead to do so) to watch the status of my system, but only as an occasional troubleshooting aid when I'm testing software or experimenting with the system. That is about as far as I go with anything other than using the system. Certainly, I've not found any need to perform the sort of tasks that are often being recommended, and even the systems I run 24/7 remain efficient in operation.
    I can say that while my G4 was running off a 5400rpm drive, increasing RAM from 768Mb to 1.5Gb quite dramatically improved performance of both 10.4 and 10.2 but had little benefit in OS9 (all booting from separate drives). The effects were rather less noticeable after swapping out to 7200 drives instead.

  • Trying to share a printer attached to a PPC Mac Mini

    Hi all.
    I'm reinsterting an old Mac Mini running OS X 10.5.8 as a headless print server. I can interact with it via other computers to share the screen, so my network protocol with the computer is sound. My problem is, I can't seem to print to any printer attached to this computer--this is obviously a problem, as that's the whole reason I've revived this device.
    Sharing setup for all computers is complete and the client computers don't seem to have any trouble seeing the printer. But when I print to it, the job is sent VERY quickly (suspiciously so) from my clients (a Mac Mini Intel in the living room and a MacBook), and the PPC mini shows no indication a print job was ever delivered.
    Any brilliant ideas? I'm sure it's something really basic I'm not remembering or thinking about, and I'm sure someone has already asked this question; feel free to direct me to that solution, as my searching efforts didn't produce anything that I felt was helpful--but I've been wrong before.
    Thanks!

    OK then, please post a brand new question in the OS X 10.5.8 "Leopard" forum:
    https://discussions.apple.com/community/mac_os/mac_os_x_v10.5_leopard
    I no longer have a Leopard system to test and I used my one brilliant idea for today.
    A new question should solicit more interest. Hopefully one of the old guard can think of something. Reference this thread so they can read what you did so far: Trying to share a printer attached to a PPC Mac Mini
    Edit: Before you go, can you print to this printer while directly attached to the other computers too? Make sure it's not a simple driver problem. Good luck!
    Message was edited by: John Galt

  • PPC Mac Mini (1.25GHz), KDS K-20MDWB flat panel, and DVI-D

    I'm upgrading from an old CRT-based iMac G3/450 to a PowerPC Mac mini (1.25GHz) with a KDS widescreen LCD panel (Model #K-20MDWB) with DVI and analog inputs. The connecting cable is a DVI-D type at both ends, with no analog connections in it.
    I would like to use the DVI output (without a VGA adapter) to run the KDS monitor. That's where the problem comes in. Although the analog VGA adapter works fine, I can't get anything beyond very distorted and incredibly jittery video (followed by the monitor giving up and reporting "no signal") from the DVI-D connection.
    I know I've used DVI on this computer before, as it once had an Apple 30" Cinema Display attached to it. I also know that the DVI-D cable and the KDS monitor are working--substituting an Intel Core Duo based Mac mini resulted in perfect DVI-D video.
    I have tried starting the machine up with the analog adapter attached, setting everything back to 640x480 at 60Hz refresh (settings that should work with any monitor) and zapping the PRAM to clear any incorrect information about the attached monitor. Nothing has worked, and I suspect that the video output on the computer is somehow broken or incompatible with the KDS monitor.
    My question--is anyone successfully using a DVI-D connected monitor with their PowerPC Mac mini?

    The original PPC minis certainly work with DVI-D cables and DVI displays (I have used 4 different cable/display combinations with my 1.25 mini so I know it works), but there have been a number of reports of specific displays that were simply not compatible and which produced a range of results from no video at all, to distorted video, or 'sparklies' or noise ribbons.
    At one point there was a thread here (very long by the end) in which users were reporting which DVI displays worked and which did not, and other threads which discussed various potential causes or solutions. A search for 'DVI' might help (I'll try and dig up a link to the website where the DVI results were posted).
    In short, it's not likely to be a fault with your mini, the cable or the display, just a lack of full compatibility, which might be resolvable using a display configuration utility such as SwitchResX or DisplayConfig X, or which might not be satisfactorily solvable.
    ON EDIT: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=150291&tstart=550 is the link where DVI experiences were compiled, with the first post containing a link to the table of results indicating quite a number of incompatibilities.

  • Will a external Apple iSight work with the latest Mac Mini?

    with a firewire 400-800 if it will what software do i need to take pictures and videos.
    Many Thanks

    Will a external apple isight work with the latest mac mini.
    Yes (if the external iSight works.)
    External iSights are great webcams, but they are getting old (as consumer electronics go) and some have had pretty rough treatment. You can test yours using the suggestions from this page:
      http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/EZJim/EZJimpage4.html
    I suggest you disconnect other Firewire devices until you get your external iSight working with your mini.
    If you do not already have an external iSight and are considering buying one now,
    a new webcam (with warranty) may be a better choice.
    Many available alternatives are listed here: http://www.mac-compatible-web-cam.com/
    THEMACMINIMAN wrote:
    with a firewire 400-800 ...
    Use one of the following ways to connect your FW400 external iSight to a FW800 Mac port:
    • To use the FW400 6pin-6pin cable that comes with iSight, you can use a 6pin-9pin adapter
      like one of these:
      http://tinyurl.com/ydsbb6m  (I use this one.)
      http://tinyurl.com/cgll7o
      http://www.sonnettech.com/product/fw_adapter.html
    • This Firewire 400-800 cable can work:
      http://store.apple.com/us/product/TP320LL/A (I use this one.)
    • Some report that this low-priced alternative cable works:
      http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812189097
    I suggest you disconnect other Firewire devices until you get external iSight working with your mini. Once iSight works when it is the only FW connected device, you can try connecting other Firewire devices to determine whehter you can use any of them without conflict.
    ... if it will what software do i need to take pictures and videos.
    With your 10.6.3 mini, you can use QuickTime X, iChat, Photo Booth, iMovie, and some of the other apps that are installed with OS X. Your Mac's Help for each of these apps can tell you how to use them with iSight (or other connected cameras.)
    Some more apps you can use are shown in this list:
      http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/EZJim/EZJimpage7.html
    The web links for each app gives details on what functions is offers with your webcam.
    Many Thanks
    You're welcome.
    EZ Jim
    Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz w/Mac OS X (10.6.3)  MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.3)
    LED Cinema Display  G4 PowerBook  1.67GHz (10.4.11)  iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9)  External iSight

  • How do I transfer files from my old Power Mac Mini to my new one?

    Oops...thought I had to write the question in the above spot. 
    Question:  How do I transfer my files from my old Power Mac Mini to my new Intel based Mac Mini?  From what I read, I needed a 40/80 cable, which I bought.  However, I only have one monitor. 
    (I tried to copy files onto a blank dvd, but it wouldn't format and kept spitting the disk out) (?)
    Anna

    Anna,
    Here is a discussion on the same topic that will save some typing:
    https://discussions.apple.com/message/15374867#15374867
    Jolly makes a good point about screen sharing.
    I prefer the firewire approach just because I have had more problems with ethernet connections than with firewire connections.  Both options work, firewire has just been easier for me when the operating system on the machines are different.  Read the options and post back if you would like additional coaching.
    Ji~m

  • PPC Mac mini + Apple remote

    Hi - I've got a PPC mac mini and use it mainly with EyeTV 2.3 / Miglia TVMini. I managed to get Front Row installed on it, and it sort of works ok with the Miglia remote.
    Having read that EyeTV now supports the Apple remote, I went and got one - to find that it doesn't work. Presumably EyeTV only supports it if the mini has the internal inrared sensor. Which mine doesn't. (Although the TVMini appears to pick up the Apple remote signal, just not do anything with it.)
    Aside from the fact that I'd be shelling out another £25 to get a £19 remote working, would connecting an iPod dock with built-in infrared allow me to control front row via the Apple remote? Ie will OS X recognise it as a built-in infrared sensor - which the remote seems to want?
    Cheers
    James
    Mac mini   Mac OS X (10.4.7)  

    ya, neither did i... apple is just afraid that anything will be said against them in any way
     Mac Mini Intel Core Solo- 1 GB RAM- Superdrive- Production week 18   Mac OS X (10.4.7)  

  • Using An ASD LCD display with a new Mac Mini

    I want to utilize a 17" Apple Studio Display with my new Mac Mini.
    Does HDMI support the 35-pin Apple Display Connector (ADC)?
    It would require an adapter with female 35-pin on one side and a male HDMI (DVI) on the other. The Apple DVI to ADC adapter doesn't work with the Mac Mini HDMI port.
    If two adapters are needed they must have the correct gender connections.
    Thanks.

    Your correct, you would need an Apple DVI to ADC adapter, And ether mini display port to DVI OR HDMI to DVI adapter. (just a question of witch port you want to use)
    Apple DVI to ADC adapter when they were first released cost about 120; now they're kind of rare and harder to find. Online they can go for 200 dollars. so 120 to 200 dollars to make your display work; and displays don't last for ever they have parts that will break down. Older displays have a light bulb inside them; witch burn out just like all the other light bulbs in your house.
    Also DVI to ADC adapters can some times give you blurry images and or text.
    For 120 dollars you can buy a generic brand 19" LCD. That 19" LCD would have better contrast ratio, brightness, and refresh rate then the old 17" monitor. (and it would have a warranty) Or for 200 dollars you could buy 23" monitor.

  • HDTV acting up with late '09 Mac Mini - display prefs at issue

    I used my 46" Sharp Aquos successfully with my 2006 Mac Mini before I gave it to my brother last December and got a new Mac Mini. They were connected with an HDMI-DVI cable from one of the TV's HDMI ports via an HDMI-DVI cable to the mini-DVI port through the adapter.
    Three times this morning within 20 minutes of turning on the TV the TV has turned itself off (the audible click that occurs when the TV is turned on or off and the two green lights go off). The TV turns itself off in a few seconds.
    I contacted a Sharp Aquos person online who gave me a case # and told me to call Sharp on the phone so they could walk me through a factory reset.
    When I got Sharp on the phone they asked me what preferences from the manual's chart I had chosen. I told them that it was my understanding that Macs do this automatically. I checked my display prefs and they're "1080p" (the manual's chart has only vertical and horizontal resolutions) and the profile is set to "SHARP HDMI". Are these prefs OK and thus the Mac Mini not at fault in all this?

    Correction: I meant to write :The TV turns itself BACK ON in a few seconds

Maybe you are looking for

  • Migration to flex 3.3

    Hi, I am migrating a project from Flex 2.0.1 to Flex 3.3 (very behind I know - should I go straight to Flex 4?). Anyway, I installed the Flex 3.3 SDK, including the data visualisation components, recompiled the application and all ran fine, using LCD

  • What is my iPad min  has problem cellular data?

    Yes I try to telling you about my a new iPad mini is not work on my password

  • Creating thumbnail images in XE

    Hi, We like to create automaticly thumbnails after immage upload through the enduser like Scott Spendolini mentioned in his webblog. Unfortunatly Oracle interMedia is necessary to do manipulate the images within the database. To install interMedia it

  • VL10 - To create DO in background mode

    Can anyone advise what's the setting to execute VL10 to create DO in the background mode?  It's always showing up as listing in SM37. Thanks Peter

  • HBO Go on tablets, AppleTV and iPhone says not subscribed.

    When I try to log onto HBO Go via AppleTV, my iPads or my iPhone, a notification comes up telling me that I am not subscribed, when I am in fact a subscriber to HBO. Any suggestions?