phunguss

phunguss

Active Tinkerer From Stillwater, MN
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Viewing thread 2025 PowerPC Challenge

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  • phunguss
    More prep. I have 3 iBook G3 500Mhz 12" semi-working status. Hopefully I can get at least two fully working.
    ibg3-00-triple.jpg
    Disassembling all three at once, to make it easier.
    ibg3-00-triple2.jpg
    I should really have a magnetic tray for all these screws.

    So, just wondering if anyone has some tips for neutralizing this aluminum oxidization... Looks like this thing was down with the Titanic.
    ibg3-01-titanic.jpg
    I don't even know how this was even running with all that corrosion dust inside.
    ibg3-01-titanic2.jpg
    I stripped it to the frame, then hit it with a poly brush on a drill.
    ibg3-02-polybrush.jpg
    Got most of the dust off.
    ibg3-02-polybrush2.jpg

    Then I had to deal with the the trackpad socket that was pulled off. Luckily it was still inside the unit.
    ibg3-03-tpsocket.jpg
    And I was able to get it soldered back on. Forgive the crappy focus on my phone camera.
    ibg3-03-tpsocket2.jpg

    Where is the PPC Challenge 2025?
    phunguss
    During the PPC Challenge 2024, I worked on 15 desktops, performing upgrades, fixes, and general use. For PPC Challenge 2025, I intend to work on laptops I have acquired. Prepping SSDs now.

    I have purchased some 2.5" mSATA to IDE adapters that were full size with cover for about $12. I also have some cheaper $4 ones without covers, so I printed my own trays to mount them.
    IDE-mSATA-rich.jpg
    IDE-mSATA-cheap.jpg
    IDE-mSATA-printed.jpg
    IDE-mSATA-9wide.jpg

    I have 14 PPC laptops: 2x 3400c almost like new, an Aluminum PowerBook G4 12" that is pretty banged up, and 11x various iBook G3/G4 12" units in disrepair. I purchased a few different lots of parts machines to fix up some others, but it looks like most will be salvageable/functional. All the G3/G4 models seem to work fine with these adapters (and AppleTVs as well). The two 3400c do not work with these adapters, so waiting for some CF-IDE adapters to arrive.
    phunguss
    Making a list of possible projects to do for PPC Challenge 2025

    iBook G3: hinge, backlight, ram, SSD
    iBook G4: Ram, SSD
    PowerBook G4: backlight, Ram, SSD, straighten frame
    imacG3: ram upgrade
    3x iBook G4 parts plus complete shell: test and build a working one, battery rebuild
    3x Siil3114 cards: flash firmware to MAC
    G3/G4 AGP video cards, fix and test
    G5 PCI video cards, fix and test
    4x G5 towers, retest, fix
    G4 ZIF 500 for B&W, probe/test/fix
    MDD fix
    G3/G4 SCSI cards swap
    G3/G4 USB cards swap
    Check all CMOS batteries
    Cube speakers rebuild (diaphragm)
    iFire DIY amps for pro speakers
    EtherWave, test 3 printers
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