Last nught my Mac Pro with a Cinema display (early models, I believe)
suddenly went dead - no "Bang", no "Phut", just stopped, as if someone
had pulled out the plug. The plugtop fuse was OK but there was simply
no response to the Start button. I looked into the possibility of
checking through the power supply but access to it needed a special
screwdriver which I haven't got.

Luckily I have a spare Mac Pro, so I tried connecting that to the
existing monitor, mouse and keyboards. I also swapped over the memory
cards and hard drives. There was one lead which I couldn't find a
socket for, but I tried it anyway and the Mac Pro started up with a
'Boing', then went on to make disc-working noises -- but there was no
response from the screen.

Before I jump to the conclusion that a faulty Cinema Display took out
the power supply, I want to be sure I have connect it back correctly
(foolishly I didn't check what went where when pulling out the various
plugs).

I have put a picture of the connectors at:
http://www.poppyrecords.co.uk/other/Plugs+sockets.jpg

I have tried the main plug in 'A' and 'B', it makes no difference. It
is obvious that Plug '1' goes in socket'C' and plug '3' goes in socket
'F' ...but where is plug '2' supposed to go?

--
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk

On 06/04/2024 19:53, Liz Tuddenham wrote:
> I have put a picture of the connectors at:
> http://www.poppyrecords.co.uk/other/Plugs+sockets.jpg I have tried the
> main plug in 'A' and 'B', it makes no difference. It is obvious that
> Plug '1' goes in socket'C' and plug '3' goes in socket 'F' ...but where
> is plug '2' supposed to go?

Plug 2 looks like a magsafe power cable. I believe some models of Cinema
display could power a Mac laptop via this cable. If you're not powering
a laptop then it doesn't need to be plugged in - just tidy it out of the
way.

--
Bruce Horrocks
Surrey, England

On 6 Apr 2024, Liz Tuddenham wrote
(in article<1qrlyga.980sscc6ye3wN%liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid>):

> Luckily I have a spare Mac Pro

Bloody hell...

MST

Bruce Horrocks <07.013@scorecrow.com> wrote:

> On 06/04/2024 19:53, Liz Tuddenham wrote:
> > I have put a picture of the connectors at:
> > http://www.poppyrecords.co.uk/other/Plugs+sockets.jpg I have tried the
> > main plug in 'A' and 'B', it makes no difference. It is obvious that
> > Plug '1' goes in socket'C' and plug '3' goes in socket 'F' ...but where
> > is plug '2' supposed to go?
>
> Plug 2 looks like a magsafe power cable. I believe some models of Cinema
> display could power a Mac laptop via this cable. If you're not powering
> a laptop then it doesn't need to be plugged in - just tidy it out of the
> way.

Thanks, I was worried that it might be a way of powering the displa,
which wasn't working because I hadn't plugged it in. If the display is
powered through the other leads, then it is probably dud.

--
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk

Martin S Taylor <correspondence@mRaErMtOiVnEsTtHaIySlor.com> wrote:

> On 6 Apr 2024, Liz Tuddenham wrote
> (in article<1qrlyga.980sscc6ye3wN%liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid>):
>
> > Luckily I have a spare Mac Pro
>
> Bloody hell...

Could you elaborate on that?

--
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk

On 07/04/2024 17:20, Liz Tuddenham wrote:
> Bruce Horrocks <07.013@scorecrow.com> wrote:
>
>> On 06/04/2024 19:53, Liz Tuddenham wrote:
>>> I have put a picture of the connectors at:
>>> http://www.poppyrecords.co.uk/other/Plugs+sockets.jpg I have tried the
>>> main plug in 'A' and 'B', it makes no difference. It is obvious that
>>> Plug '1' goes in socket'C' and plug '3' goes in socket 'F' ...but where
>>> is plug '2' supposed to go?
>>
>> Plug 2 looks like a magsafe power cable. I believe some models of Cinema
>> display could power a Mac laptop via this cable. If you're not powering
>> a laptop then it doesn't need to be plugged in - just tidy it out of the
>> way.
>
> Thanks, I was worried that it might be a way of powering the displa,
> which wasn't working because I hadn't plugged it in. If the display is
> powered through the other leads, then it is probably dud.

I tell a lie. Looking a bit more on the Internet it seems the Magsafe
connector is to power the monitor from the power brick. The power brick
connects to the mains, obviously.

So your failure could be in the brick - or maybe you simply knocked the
brick or tugged the cable, and being magnetic, it came adrift and there
is nothing actually wrong?

--
Bruce Horrocks
Surrey, England

Bruce Horrocks <07.013@scorecrow.com> wrote:

> On 07/04/2024 17:20, Liz Tuddenham wrote:
> > Bruce Horrocks <07.013@scorecrow.com> wrote:
> >
> >> On 06/04/2024 19:53, Liz Tuddenham wrote:
> >>> I have put a picture of the connectors at:
> >>> http://www.poppyrecords.co.uk/other/Plugs+sockets.jpg I have tried the
> >>> main plug in 'A' and 'B', it makes no difference. It is obvious that
> >>> Plug '1' goes in socket'C' and plug '3' goes in socket 'F' ...but where
> >>> is plug '2' supposed to go?
> >>
> >> Plug 2 looks like a magsafe power cable. I believe some models of Cinema
> >> display could power a Mac laptop via this cable. If you're not powering
> >> a laptop then it doesn't need to be plugged in - just tidy it out of the
> >> way.
> >
> > Thanks, I was worried that it might be a way of powering the displa,
> > which wasn't working because I hadn't plugged it in. If the display is
> > powered through the other leads, then it is probably dud.
>
> I tell a lie. Looking a bit more on the Internet it seems the Magsafe
> connector is to power the monitor from the power brick. The power brick
> connects to the mains, obviously.
>
> So your failure could be in the brick - or maybe you simply knocked the
> brick or tugged the cable, and being magnetic, it came adrift and there
> is nothing actually wrong?

BINGO!

There was a power brick, which I hadn't spotted, lurking in the maze of
wiring at the back of the behemoth (Mac Pro). I plugged the mystery
plug into the power brick and it all appears to work now.

There are a few settings lost in the changeover, but it should only take
a few minutes to sort them out. Many Thanks.

--
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk

On 7 Apr 2024 at 10:17:25 BST, "Martin S Taylor"
<correspondence@mRaErMtOiVnEsTtHaIySlor.com> wrote:

> On 6 Apr 2024, Liz Tuddenham wrote
> (in article<1qrlyga.980sscc6ye3wN%liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid>):
>
>> Luckily I have a spare Mac Pro
>
> Bloody hell...
>
> MST

I've got a spare Xserve if anyone wants one :) Intel though.

Cheers - Jaimie
--
'I use a heap based stack storage system with a sorting
algorithm which has a major sort key being chronologically
determined, and heap hash key being a combination of
gravity influenced kinetic displacement with frictive and
annoyance dispersive elements.'
-- krin_o_o_'s book filing method

Jaimie Vandenbergh <jaimie@usually.sessile.org> wrote:

> On 7 Apr 2024 at 10:17:25 BST, "Martin S Taylor"
> <correspondence@mRaErMtOiVnEsTtHaIySlor.com> wrote:
>
> > On 6 Apr 2024, Liz Tuddenham wrote
> > (in article<1qrlyga.980sscc6ye3wN%liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid>):
> >
> >> Luckily I have a spare Mac Pro
> >
> > Bloody hell...
> >
> > MST
>
> I've got a spare Xserve if anyone wants one :) Intel though.

I might be glad to take you up on that. The second MacPro has just gone
"Pop!" and died. Presumably the fault was in one of the units I changed
over (HD or memory), so I am unlikely to find it withiout damaging a lot
of PSUs in the process.

Alternatively I could buy something secondhand. What is currently the
cheapest Mac kit that will run a reliable Web browser, play DVDs and
connect to a Cinema Display? [The sum total of my requirements -
although the ability to do Zoom calls might be helpful.] Ethernet
connection is essential and a USB port or two would be handy for the
keyboard and mouse.

--
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:
> Alternatively I could buy something secondhand. What is currently the
> cheapest Mac kit that will run a reliable Web browser, play DVDs and
> connect to a Cinema Display? [The sum total of my requirements -
> although the ability to do Zoom calls might be helpful.] Ethernet
> connection is essential and a USB port or two would be handy for the
> keyboard and mouse.

No idea as to 'cheapest', but 2011-2012 Mac Minis were going for cheap when
I looked recently. Maybe 2014s as well (but no upgradeable RAM on those).
The 2012 or later have USB 3 which is handy for peripherals.

No DVD slot, but you can have a USB DVD drive.

If you insist on integral DVD, the 2012 non-Retina MBP is the last one with
DVD I think. Or the 2011 iMac.

If the Cinema Display has DVI, so you can have an HDMI to DVI adapter.
Most passive adapters only do single link DVI so you're limited to
1920x1080. If you need a higher resolution you either need to use (mini)
Displayport if the display has that, or there are mDP to DL-DVI active
adapters (use the genuine Apple A1306, clones are troublesome) but they
still seem to be quite pricey, even used.

It looks like the 30" display is DL-DVI so to get native resolution you
would need an adapter to plug it into mDP or HDMI. It appears there's no
such thing as an active HDMI to DL-DVI cable, so you are either on the A1306
adapter (~£50 on ebay) on a mDP or Thunderbolt 2 Mac, or stick with a
machine with DVI.

The last Mini with that was 2009 (mini-DVI) or 2007 (full DVI), which limits
the options somewhat. A DVI GPU in a 2012 Mac Pro might be an option, but
not a cheap one.

TLDR I think you either shell out the £50 for the A1306, take your chances
with an aftermarket cable (unreliable back in the day, maybe they improved?)
or change the monitor for a modern one. Else you're stuck on late 2000s
Macs.

Theo

On 10/04/2024 09:09, Liz Tuddenham wrote:
> Alternatively I could buy something secondhand.

Hello, Liz

I don't think you'd do any better than buy from this organisation:-

https://eshop.macsales.com/configure-my-mac/imac

It's most certainly where I'd look to buy a replacement 27 inch iMac if
this one I'm using dies a death!

--
Kind regards,
David

On 10 Apr 2024 at 09:09:13 BST, "Liz Tuddenham" <Liz Tuddenham> wrote:

> Jaimie Vandenbergh <jaimie@usually.sessile.org> wrote:
>
>> On 7 Apr 2024 at 10:17:25 BST, "Martin S Taylor"
>> <correspondence@mRaErMtOiVnEsTtHaIySlor.com> wrote:
>>
>>> On 6 Apr 2024, Liz Tuddenham wrote
>>> (in article<1qrlyga.980sscc6ye3wN%liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid>):
>>>
>>>> Luckily I have a spare Mac Pro
>>>
>>> Bloody hell...
>>>
>>> MST
>>
>> I've got a spare Xserve if anyone wants one :) Intel though.
>
> I might be glad to take you up on that.

Yours for shipping if you want it :) It's not at all desk-friendly
though, it's a right whiny-fan-noise bastard and it really needs to be
kept in an enclosed rack or at least several rooms away. I think the HDD
has failed too; takes SATA or SAS. I didn't have the mental (or aural)
fortitude to keep going through its ten minutes "something's broken"
timeout bootup to resolve that issue yet.

> Alternatively I could buy something secondhand. What is currently the
> cheapest Mac kit that will run a reliable Web browser, play DVDs and
> connect to a Cinema Display? [The sum total of my requirements -
> although the ability to do Zoom calls might be helpful.] Ethernet
> connection is essential and a USB port or two would be handy for the
> keyboard and mouse.

Old-shape Mac Mini with DVI and the optical drive in I would guess,
although an appropriate age MBP might be cheap enough too.

Cheers - Jaimie
--
"Some people think that noise abatement should be a higher
priority for ATC. I say safety is noise abatement. You have no
idea how much noise it makes to have a 737 fall out of the sky
after an accident."
-- anonymous air traffic controller

On 10/04/2024 12:40, Jaimie Vandenbergh wrote:
> On 10 Apr 2024 at 09:09:13 BST, "Liz Tuddenham" <Liz Tuddenham> wrote:
>
>> Jaimie Vandenbergh <jaimie@usually.sessile.org> wrote:
>>
>>> On 7 Apr 2024 at 10:17:25 BST, "Martin S Taylor"
>>> <correspondence@mRaErMtOiVnEsTtHaIySlor.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> On 6 Apr 2024, Liz Tuddenham wrote
>>>> (in article<1qrlyga.980sscc6ye3wN%liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid>):
>>>>
>>>>> Luckily I have a spare Mac Pro
>>>>
>>>> Bloody hell...
>>>>
>>>> MST
>>>
>>> I've got a spare Xserve if anyone wants one :) Intel though.
>>
>> I might be glad to take you up on that.
>
> Yours for shipping if you want it :) It's not at all desk-friendly
> though, it's a right whiny-fan-noise bastard and it really needs to be
> kept in an enclosed rack or at least several rooms away. I think the HDD
> has failed too; takes SATA or SAS. I didn't have the mental (or aural)
> fortitude to keep going through its ten minutes "something's broken"
> timeout bootup to resolve that issue yet.
>
>> Alternatively I could buy something secondhand. What is currently the
>> cheapest Mac kit that will run a reliable Web browser, play DVDs and
>> connect to a Cinema Display? [The sum total of my requirements -
>> although the ability to do Zoom calls might be helpful.] Ethernet
>> connection is essential and a USB port or two would be handy for the
>> keyboard and mouse.
>
> Old-shape Mac Mini with DVI and the optical drive in I would guess,
> although an appropriate age MBP might be cheap enough too.
>
> Cheers - Jaimie

What do you think of /this/ machine, Jaimie?

https://eshop.macsales.com/configure-my-mac/apple-imac-retina-5k-27-inch-mid-2020

I'm considering buying it as a 'spare - just in case Apple never replace
the 27 inch iMac!

--
Kind regards,
David

Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:

> Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:
> > Alternatively I could buy something secondhand. What is currently the
> > cheapest Mac kit that will run a reliable Web browser, play DVDs and
> > connect to a Cinema Display? [The sum total of my requirements -
> > although the ability to do Zoom calls might be helpful.] Ethernet
> > connection is essential and a USB port or two would be handy for the
> > keyboard and mouse.
>
> No idea as to 'cheapest', but 2011-2012 Mac Minis were going for cheap when
> I looked recently. Maybe 2014s as well (but no upgradeable RAM on those).
> The 2012 or later have USB 3 which is handy for peripherals.
>
> No DVD slot, but you can have a USB DVD drive.
>
> If you insist on integral DVD, the 2012 non-Retina MBP is the last one with
> DVD I think. Or the 2011 iMac.
>
> If the Cinema Display has DVI, so you can have an HDMI to DVI adapter.
> Most passive adapters only do single link DVI so you're limited to
> 1920x1080. If you need a higher resolution you either need to use (mini)
> Displayport if the display has that, or there are mDP to DL-DVI active
> adapters (use the genuine Apple A1306, clones are troublesome) but they
> still seem to be quite pricey, even used.

There is no absolute need for it to work with a Cinema Display - it just
happens that I shall have one left over now the Mac Pros have snuffed
it. If the replacement comes with its own display, I'll settle for
that.

--
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk

On 10/04/2024 13:26, Liz Tuddenham wrote:
> Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:
>
>> Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:
>>> Alternatively I could buy something secondhand. What is currently the
>>> cheapest Mac kit that will run a reliable Web browser, play DVDs and
>>> connect to a Cinema Display? [The sum total of my requirements -
>>> although the ability to do Zoom calls might be helpful.] Ethernet
>>> connection is essential and a USB port or two would be handy for the
>>> keyboard and mouse.
>>
>> No idea as to 'cheapest', but 2011-2012 Mac Minis were going for cheap when
>> I looked recently. Maybe 2014s as well (but no upgradeable RAM on those).
>> The 2012 or later have USB 3 which is handy for peripherals.
>>
>> No DVD slot, but you can have a USB DVD drive.
>>
>> If you insist on integral DVD, the 2012 non-Retina MBP is the last one with
>> DVD I think. Or the 2011 iMac.
>>
>> If the Cinema Display has DVI, so you can have an HDMI to DVI adapter.
>> Most passive adapters only do single link DVI so you're limited to
>> 1920x1080. If you need a higher resolution you either need to use (mini)
>> Displayport if the display has that, or there are mDP to DL-DVI active
>> adapters (use the genuine Apple A1306, clones are troublesome) but they
>> still seem to be quite pricey, even used.
>
> There is no absolute need for it to work with a Cinema Display - it just
> happens that I shall have one left over now the Mac Pros have snuffed
> it. If the replacement comes with its own display, I'll settle for
> that.
>
>
What System are you going to be using Liz?

David Kennedy <davidkennedygm@gmail.com> wrote:

> On 10/04/2024 13:26, Liz Tuddenham wrote:
> > Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:
> >
> >> Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:
> >>> Alternatively I could buy something secondhand. What is currently the
> >>> cheapest Mac kit that will run a reliable Web browser, play DVDs and
> >>> connect to a Cinema Display? [The sum total of my requirements -
> >>> although the ability to do Zoom calls might be helpful.] Ethernet
> >>> connection is essential and a USB port or two would be handy for the
> >>> keyboard and mouse.
> >>
> >> No idea as to 'cheapest', but 2011-2012 Mac Minis were going for cheap when
> >> I looked recently. Maybe 2014s as well (but no upgradeable RAM on those).
> >> The 2012 or later have USB 3 which is handy for peripherals.
> >>
> >> No DVD slot, but you can have a USB DVD drive.
> >>
> >> If you insist on integral DVD, the 2012 non-Retina MBP is the last one with
> >> DVD I think. Or the 2011 iMac.
> >>
> >> If the Cinema Display has DVI, so you can have an HDMI to DVI adapter.
> >> Most passive adapters only do single link DVI so you're limited to
> >> 1920x1080. If you need a higher resolution you either need to use (mini)
> >> Displayport if the display has that, or there are mDP to DL-DVI active
> >> adapters (use the genuine Apple A1306, clones are troublesome) but they
> >> still seem to be quite pricey, even used.
> >
> > There is no absolute need for it to work with a Cinema Display - it just
> > happens that I shall have one left over now the Mac Pros have snuffed
> > it. If the replacement comes with its own display, I'll settle for
> > that.
> >
> >
> What System are you going to be using Liz?

As it will only be for Web browsing and not doing any serious work,
almost any version of OSX that can handle a reasonably up-to-date-ish
browser will do. It does need Ethernet, otherwise there is no way of
communicating with my other machines.

I've managed to get the power supply out of the case (thanks to the loan
of some tools) and have tracked the fault down to the 5v start-up
section that appears to be intended to run continuously, even on
standby. When I changed to the spare machine, I changed over the memory
cards and the HDs, but nothing els. Even with those removed it doesn't
start now or produce 5v on the output connector from the standby
section, so my guess is that something on the 5v line has been shorting
intermittently. and the 5v section of the power supply isn't
short-circuit-proof.

The main smoothing capacitors charge up to a *lot* of volts and take a
long time to discharge to a safe level, so I am being very careful at
the moment.

--
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

> I've ... tracked the fault down to the 5v start-up
> section

It contains three-quarters of a power transistor. That would explain
the clatter of something falling out when I dismantled it.

--
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk

On 11/04/2024 14:04, Liz Tuddenham wrote:
> David Kennedy <davidkennedygm@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>>
>> What System are you going to be using Liz?
>
> As it will only be for Web browsing and not doing any serious work,
> almost any version of OSX that can handle a reasonably up-to-date-ish
> browser will do. It does need Ethernet, otherwise there is no way of
> communicating with my other machines.
>
> I've managed to get the power supply out of the case (thanks to the loan
> of some tools) and have tracked the fault down to the 5v start-up
> section that appears to be intended to run continuously, even on
> standby. When I changed to the spare machine, I changed over the memory
> cards and the HDs, but nothing els. Even with those removed it doesn't
> start now or produce 5v on the output connector from the standby
> section, so my guess is that something on the 5v line has been shorting
> intermittently. and the 5v section of the power supply isn't
> short-circuit-proof.
>
> The main smoothing capacitors charge up to a *lot* of volts and take a
> long time to discharge to a safe level, so I am being very careful at
> the moment.
>
I was just wondering if you were looking for something compatible with 9.x.x

Yes, take care with the capacitors...

On 11/04/2024 14:38, Liz Tuddenham wrote:
> Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:
>
>> I've ... tracked the fault down to the 5v start-up
>> section
>
> It contains three-quarters of a power transistor. That would explain
> the clatter of something falling out when I dismantled it.
>
>
That could well be a clue

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:
> There is no absolute need for it to work with a Cinema Display - it just
> happens that I shall have one left over now the Mac Pros have snuffed
> it. If the replacement comes with its own display, I'll settle for
> that.

If that's a possibility then look at iMacs. Probably those in the <2017
timeframe are getting cheap now as Apple has abandoned them.

Theo

On 11/04/2024 16:02, Theo wrote:
> Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:
>> There is no absolute need for it to work with a Cinema Display - it just
>> happens that I shall have one left over now the Mac Pros have snuffed
>> it. If the replacement comes with its own display, I'll settle for
>> that.
>
> If that's a possibility then look at iMacs. Probably those in the <2017
> timeframe are getting cheap now as Apple has abandoned them.
>
> Theo

I agree. I suggested that yesterday!

//Hello, Liz

I don't think you'd do any better than buy from this organisation:-

https://eshop.macsales.com/configure-my-mac/imac

It's most certainly where I'd look to buy a replacement 27 inch iMac if
this one I'm using dies a death!//

Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:

> Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:
> > There is no absolute need for it to work with a Cinema Display - it just
> > happens that I shall have one left over now the Mac Pros have snuffed
> > it. If the replacement comes with its own display, I'll settle for
> > that.
>
> If that's a possibility then look at iMacs. Probably those in the <2017
> timeframe are getting cheap now as Apple has abandoned them.

You reminded me that I have an old iMac, running OS 10.4.11 which was
bought for one specific audio job and then mothballed as all-but-useless
for anything else. I have resurrected it and found that it is
impossible to update either of the browsers (Firefox 3.6.28 & Safari
3.9.4) because neither of them can contact their update sites. I tried
Firefox with an "http" site and it worked if I typed in the URL by
hand, but linking to the site through Google doesn't work because Google
insists on appending an incorrect 's',.

--
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk

On 11 Apr 2024 at 16:02:40 BST, "Theo"
<theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:

> Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:
>> There is no absolute need for it to work with a Cinema Display - it just
>> happens that I shall have one left over now the Mac Pros have snuffed
>> it. If the replacement comes with its own display, I'll settle for
>> that.
>
> If that's a possibility then look at iMacs. Probably those in the <2017> timeframe are getting cheap now as Apple has abandoned them.

OpenCore patcher will get them up as far as Sonoma still, I've just
brought a 2013 iMac into modernity, and if my 2010 hadn't died that
would also have been able to.

Cheers - Jaimie
--
"It has been said that man is a rational animal. All my life I
have been searching for evidence which could support this" -- Bertrand Russell

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:
> You reminded me that I have an old iMac, running OS 10.4.11 which was
> bought for one specific audio job and then mothballed as all-but-useless
> for anything else. I have resurrected it and found that it is
> impossible to update either of the browsers (Firefox 3.6.28 & Safari
> 3.9.4) because neither of them can contact their update sites. I tried
> Firefox with an "http" site and it worked if I typed in the URL by
> hand, but linking to the site through Google doesn't work because Google
> insists on appending an incorrect 's',.

If that's a PowerPC iMac then you're stuck with TenFourFox, which is now
abandoned:
https://www.floodgap.com/software/tenfourfox/

(maybe its links will also work with http?)

If it's an aluminium 2007 Intel iMac (shipped with 10.4) then OCLP might be
able to take it up to Ventura if you upgrade the CPU:

https://dortania.github.io/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher/MODELS.html

Before you spend money on it I'd check pricing of more recent used machines
- eg for £50 on ebay you can get a ~2011-13.

Theo

Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:

> Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:
> > You reminded me that I have an old iMac, running OS 10.4.11 which was
> > bought for one specific audio job and then mothballed as all-but-useless
> > for anything else. I have resurrected it and found that it is
> > impossible to update either of the browsers (Firefox 3.6.28 & Safari
> > 3.9.4) because neither of them can contact their update sites. I tried
> > Firefox with an "http" site and it worked if I typed in the URL by
> > hand, but linking to the site through Google doesn't work because Google
> > insists on appending an incorrect 's',.
>
> If that's a PowerPC iMac then you're stuck with TenFourFox, which is now
> abandoned:
> https://www.floodgap.com/software/tenfourfox/
>
> (maybe its links will also work with http?)
>
> If it's an aluminium 2007 Intel iMac (shipped with 10.4) then OCLP might be
> able to take it up to Ventura if you upgrade the CPU:
>
> https://dortania.github.io/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher/MODELS.html
>
> Before you spend money on it I'd check pricing of more recent used machines
> - eg for £50 on ebay you can get a ~2011-13.

That's the sort of information I am looking for - a machine that can be
upgraded to a browser that at least works most of the time on 'ordinary'
websites.

Another possibility is to buy a replacement power supply for the Mac
Pro, they are being sold for around £40. The problem with that is the
near-certainty that it will be blown again unless I can find and remove
the fault that blew the other two.

--
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk