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If you are installing a G4 processor into your Blue & White G3 system, you will need to unlock the ROM to allow the use of a G4 processor. Please download this file and follow the included instructions to unlock the ROM.
When you upgrade your Apple B&W G3 or G4 "Yikes" with a fast OWC Mercury ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) processor, you will need to change your jumper settings. Apple's B&W G3 / G4 "Yikes" motherboards have a series of 11 pins in a line (Fig.1, Arrow A). These pins control the bus and clock speeds of your computer. To change the jumper settings and your new OWC Mercury ZIF processor, please follow the steps below.
NOTE: The jumpers are "sealed" under a label, and if this label is removed it will void your warranty! Please note that any modifications you make to your Macintosh are made at your own risk.
C: ZIF release handle
Locate the G3 heat sink (Fig. 1, Arrow B). Take off the heat sink clamp. Lift the heat sink and place it aside.
Note: You do not need to remove the green ground wire. Lift the ZIF release handle (Fig. 2, Arrow C) up until it stops. (Remember how the ZIF chip is installed, as you will have to put in the new one in the same way.)
Remove the old ZIF processor. (Fig.3, Arrow D). From this point on, reverse the steps you have taken. Place the new chip in exactly how the old was. (There is a pin missing on one of the corners of the chip to insure you place the chip in the correct postion.) The new ZIF chip will slide right into it's place when the pins are lined up.
NOTE: Please DO NOT force the new chip into its slot. You might damage the pins.
Once your new OWC Mercury processor is fully seated in the ZIF socket, push the ZIF release handle down until it locks. Place the heat sink back on top the processor and lock the heat sink clamp into place.
Processor installation is complete. please continue on to configure the jumper settings for your new OWC Mercury ZIF processor
D: G3 ZIF Processor
Remove the original ZIF chip (Fig.3, Arrow D). From this point on reverse the steps you have taken. Place the new chip in exactly how the old was. The new ZIF chip will slide right into it's place when the pins are lined up.
Note: Please DO NOT force the new chip into its slot - you might damage the pins.
Once the chip is fully seated in the ZIF socket, push the ZIF release handle down until it locks. Place the heat sink back on top the processor and lock the heat sink clamp into place. Be sure that the heatsink clamp is properly aligned with the flat portion of the clamp directly over the center of the new OWC Mercury ZIF processor module. Processor installation is complete.
A: Stock jumper block
The red block (may be a different color on your computer) (Fig.4, Arrow A) is where you configure the pins with jumpers on your G3 motherboard to take advantage of the new OWC Mercury ZIF chip. The red jumper block is Apple's way of setting a configuration for a certain speed. Fig 5. shows jumper configurations. Black = Jumper / White = No Jumper
Tip: A needle nose pliers, tweezers or hemostats work really well for placing the jumpers on the logic board pins.
Take the jumper block off and keep it in a safe place. You never know when you might need it again. After the block is off the pins will be exposed. Grab as many jumpers as it will take to set your Mac at the speed you want. Use at your own risk:
If you are looking to squeeze top performance out of your new OWC Mercury ZIF chip, you can attempt to clock your CPU even higher than the rated speed of the ZIF chip. Follow Fig. 5 or follow the complete jumper chart for even more configurations.
Start up your system and install cache controlling software. If you're running Mac OS 9, we recommend using PowerLogix Cache Control software located here, and if you're using Mac OS X, we recommend Ryan Rempel's Cache Control Software located here. You can also use PowerLogix universal CPUDirector software, located here.
NOTE: if your computer will not start up, you may need to reset the CUDA switch, it is a small gray button on the logic board at the top left of the system. It is located next to the PCI slot closest to the edge of the computer. Press the button with a ball point pen for 5 seconds and your system should start up as normal. If you are still unable to start your machine, please contact our tech support department.
Congratulations! After you have completed configuring the jumpers and checked to see if your computer runs stable, you can close the case, plug what you have back in and enjoy your new Mac!