- Joined
- Dec 15, 2011
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- 905
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- Classic Mac
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Hi Guys
A while ago, I've read jberg44's (aka dremeljunkie) blog with its wiring diagrams (great, thanks): http://www.dremeljunkie.com
Recently, I've read Ersterhernd's NUCiMac thread an this activated the "must have reflex": http://www.tonymacx86.com/imac-mods/102250-ersterhernds-nucimac-g4.html
Here is my project: The HemiMac G4
Why this name?
1. The iMac G4 has a "hemispherical" base
2. A "hackintoshed" classic Mac is like a Hotrod for me - classic body with modern innards - and they mostly have a big V8 engine with "Hemi" combustion chamber: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemi_engine
So I bought the 1st iMac G4 17" / 1.25 GHz:
Unfortunately it is not in best condition: It was a scool computer and has some willful damage like a screen with scratches in every corner. I was disappointed and auctioned an 2nd identical unit, which hopefully will be in better condition:
Goals of this project:
-outside as original as possible
-optical drive
-original speakers, connected with the original 2.5mm plug
-internal PSU
-silent (the original iMac is loud)
-working LCD backlight dimming
-original "breathing" sleep LED (I intend to use a PICAXE microcontroller)
-USB 3.0
First works on the 1st unit:
The optical drive door did not close properly, so I've added M3 washers under the screw heads:
The "Fleckenradierer" is ideal for cleaning dirty iMac housings: (use a bit water)
The back side after cleaning:
A first look to the innards and cleaning:
This is a USB 2.0 model (iMac3.3) and the connectors are not the same shape as Ersterhernd's:
As I said earlier, one of the goals is a working LCD CCFL dimming. To allow this, some investigations on the inverter connector were necessary:
As you can see, I discovered, that the "dimming" signal is on the green (neck) wire: 0.7V = Min. brightness / 3.14 V = Max. brightness! The orange wire has always 3.3 V and I assume, that it is for the 3.3 V supply of the inverter's microcontroller. We will see...
MacTester
Edit: some pictures of the modding process for comparison.
Edit: video summary
Build video:
Video presentation:
After the macOS Sierra update:
A while ago, I've read jberg44's (aka dremeljunkie) blog with its wiring diagrams (great, thanks): http://www.dremeljunkie.com
Recently, I've read Ersterhernd's NUCiMac thread an this activated the "must have reflex": http://www.tonymacx86.com/imac-mods/102250-ersterhernds-nucimac-g4.html
Here is my project: The HemiMac G4
Why this name?
1. The iMac G4 has a "hemispherical" base
2. A "hackintoshed" classic Mac is like a Hotrod for me - classic body with modern innards - and they mostly have a big V8 engine with "Hemi" combustion chamber: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemi_engine
So I bought the 1st iMac G4 17" / 1.25 GHz:
Unfortunately it is not in best condition: It was a scool computer and has some willful damage like a screen with scratches in every corner. I was disappointed and auctioned an 2nd identical unit, which hopefully will be in better condition:
Goals of this project:
-outside as original as possible
-optical drive
-original speakers, connected with the original 2.5mm plug
-internal PSU
-silent (the original iMac is loud)
-working LCD backlight dimming
-original "breathing" sleep LED (I intend to use a PICAXE microcontroller)
-USB 3.0
First works on the 1st unit:
The optical drive door did not close properly, so I've added M3 washers under the screw heads:
The "Fleckenradierer" is ideal for cleaning dirty iMac housings: (use a bit water)
The back side after cleaning:
A first look to the innards and cleaning:
This is a USB 2.0 model (iMac3.3) and the connectors are not the same shape as Ersterhernd's:
As I said earlier, one of the goals is a working LCD CCFL dimming. To allow this, some investigations on the inverter connector were necessary:
As you can see, I discovered, that the "dimming" signal is on the green (neck) wire: 0.7V = Min. brightness / 3.14 V = Max. brightness! The orange wire has always 3.3 V and I assume, that it is for the 3.3 V supply of the inverter's microcontroller. We will see...
MacTester
Edit: some pictures of the modding process for comparison.
Edit: video summary
Build video:
Video presentation:
After the macOS Sierra update:
Last edited: