New to Me - Power Macintosh G3 Beige Desktop – 266MHz – 224MB RAM – 6GB HDD – Mac OS 9, project

sunvalleylaw

New Tinkerer
Jan 7, 2026
13
12
3
As I got started into considering vintage, found this monitor at the local computer and electronics recycler which also runs and supports with sales STEM programs in Boise. Seems like it sells, or is at least offered, for a lot as it was the first Apple LCD display. Anyhow, got that for 20 bucks, and then picked up this period correct machine below to put with it, (In researching, I learned the reviewers didn't like that dark navy translucent blue matched up with the beige. As we know that all changed with the new colors coming down the pipe the next year. With this, I can revisit the old CD-ROM version of the Myst games I played on my old Performa I used for work in the 90's and also play the Launch CD-ROM "magazine" discs I had with music, music vids, and game demos back then. And maybe also display some family pics or fun screen savers or whatever. Will be fun to mess with and maybe I can learn some more interesting mods too. Let me know if you have any ideas. :)

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The seller seemed nice, and chatted with me about his repairs and how he used it, and how I anticipated using it. Should be fun!


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sunvalleylaw

New Tinkerer
Jan 7, 2026
13
12
3
The combination is up and running! But not sure I’m getting all I can out of the monitor. It doesn’t look like the settings are allowing me to use all the colors it can, and get as much brightness and clarity as I should be able to. I’ll read more and try to figure out more later.
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sunvalleylaw

New Tinkerer
Jan 7, 2026
13
12
3
I am going to have quite a few of these “duh” rookie vintage moments as I get going on remembering how to use these old machines and operating systems and programs. Thanks all, in advance for your patience… 😊
 
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sunvalleylaw

New Tinkerer
Jan 7, 2026
13
12
3
Did some futzing and figured out prior owner installed an ATI Rage 128 with a VGA port from a newer G3. Which was good because I chose the wrong resolution for the M4551 Studio Display and lost all visuals and couldn't get it back for a while. So I went and got a used Acer with VGA and hooked it up and fixed it.

the other slot has a card with Firewire, and USB on it, that the seller told me only works well with 10.3+ on it, which he feels is slow on this machine. I might make a partition and put that on there to use sometimes.


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Here is how I now have it set now up with the two monitors., and the appearance I am going with for now. Celebrated with an afternoon game of Oregon Trail. LOL!

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