HELP! I've never used a MAC!

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HELP! I've never used a MAC!

Hi,
I just received a Power Mac 6500 today and I am clueless. I've used PCs with Windows for 5 years. I don't know how to configure my modem???? Please help me.. I've spent 3 hours and I've gotten nowhere. I just want to get through to remote access but keep getting the message that my modem is already in use or misconfigured. Thanks in advance.
Flo Smile

The Czar's picture
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You'll probably want to confi

You'll probably want to configure TCP/IP on the Mac. Go to the Apple Menu (top left corner of the screen) -> Control Panels. Then, select the TCP/IP option. Make sure you're connecting via your modem (built-in or external - it will specify). From there, you can make all the configuration you should need.

Cheers,

The Czar

Hawaii Cruiser's picture
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Lots to know firsthand

First off, which Mac OS are you using? 7.5, 7.6, 8, 8.6, 9.1, etc.? Secondly, is your modem external or internal. If it's internal, you will need to find out if it's the stock 28.8k baud Geoport modem that originally came with the 6500. If it is, unfortunately, you should replace that puppy. It sucks. There's a global village 56k modem that fits in the same Comm Slot II inside your machine that I recently noticed are still selling on eBay for around $25, but you'd be just as well off with an extenal 56k GV modem which probably sell for half that much, at most. Either way, if it's the Geoport modem inside your machine, you'll have to go inside and remove it in order to use a different internal or external modem. It sounds like you are probably trying to use an external modem but the Geoport is still in place inside your machine. If that's the case, you'll still have to remove the internal Geoport modem. There are no screws holding it in place, it just takes some very firm tugging, and even a little careful leverage with a standard screw driver. This is just the start of your new adventures with this old Mac. I've got a couple of them, and the only reason I hold onto them is for their entertainment value--ie. the remote control sensor and the built-in subwoofer. My daughter plays Reader Rabbit on one right now. They can get about satisfactorily on the internet, especially if you have a G3 upgrade in the L2 cache slot, and can do some light application work, but if you start the upgrade path you'll be running into costs that aren't worth the costs, not to mention other liabilities like the fact that the clock battery runs out fairly quickly and it's hard to locate a new one, and that you're limited to 128mb of RAM, and that the air circulation in the machine is not particularly good so upgrades tend to cook and then the fan gets very loud in an attempt to compensate. The best place to start is here:

http://www.lowendmac.com/ppc/6500.shtml

Scroll down that page and you'll find links to all the different issues you face, including the modem issue. And there's also a link there to the 6400 Zone which is a great, thorough website with lots of info for 6400, 6500 users.
Welcome to the club! Just quickly save up and get yourself at least a fairly recent iMac and then you'll really find out why there's so many Mac enthusiasts. You'll wonder how you ever lived in Windows.

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I will try this today..

Thanks much; I have no idea what I am doing. I've always used a PC with windows. I didn't see a TCP/IP option. I will let you know how I make out right here online. Thanks a MILLION! I've really been struggling Smile Flo

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Frustration!

Hello, and thank you for taking time out to offer suggestions and help. It's frustrating. I'm an intermediate user on a PC and a TOTAL NOVICE when it comes to this Mac! I'm gonna check out all the things you have posted for me. I would love to "delete" all modem connections and start from scratch, but I can't figure out if or how to do it! I, obviously, don't know how to configure this modem (be it GEO or otherwise). Hopefully, the site you posted will help me.
I would be willing to try to put a new modem in, but this modem must have worked at some point right?

Although this was a "cast off" computer; I'm trying really hard to fix it up for my Grandkids, who are beating the heck out of my 2 year old Dell! thanks again.. I'll be back to post again; I'm sure Smile
Flo

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Whatcha Got?

Hello again,
You didn't mention which Mac OS you're using. If it doesn't say in big numbers when you startup the machine, then you're probably in the original OS 7.5, which would also explain why you don't have TCP/IP. With the machine on, click on the apple in the corner and then click on the first item at the top--"about this computer"--and a window will pop up which will tell you 1) which Mac OS is installed 2) how much RAM you have in your machine and 3) whether or not Virtual Memory is turned on or not. Note these three items down and post them here, and from there you can figure out what to do next. I have some items I was planning to put up for sale on eBay soon that you might be interested in (external modem, internal ethernet card, apple remote control, Mac OS 8, Mac OS 7.6.1), but we need to know what you've got already in your machine. You also didn't mention if you are trying to use the internal modem or an external third-party modem.

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