Apple IMAC G3 Installation Guide

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Important Information

Includes safety information, memory installation and

battery replacement instructions,

and regulatory agency information for your iMac

Safety Instructions for Setting Up Your Computer

When you set up your computer or device, keep these important safety instructions in mind.

Plugging In the Power Cord

Important Your computer or device has a three-wire grounding plug that will fit only a

grounded AC outlet. If you are unable to insert the plug in the outlet, contact a licensed
electrician to replace the outlet with a properly grounded outlet.

Important The plug on the power cord must be completely inserted into the computer’s

power socket and firmly seated for your computer to operate correctly.

Connecting a Phone Line to the Modem Port

Important Make sure you connect the modem to an analog phone line, the kind typically

used in homes.

Disconnecting Power

Important The only way to completely disconnect power from the computer is to unplug

the power cord from the outlet or from the back of the computer.

General Safety Instructions

For your own safety and that of your equipment, always take the following precautions.

Disconnect the power plug (by pulling the plug, not the cord) if any of the following
conditions exists:

m you want to remove any parts (leave the cord disconnected as long as the cover is off )
m the power cord or plug becomes frayed or otherwise damaged
m you spill something into the case

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m your computer or device is exposed to rain or any other excess moisture
m your computer or device has been dropped or the case has been otherwise damaged
m you suspect that your computer or device needs service or repair
m you want to clean the case (use only the recommended procedure described later)

Be sure that you always do the following:
m Keep your computer or device away from sources of liquids, such as washbasins, bathtubs,

shower stalls, and so on.

m Protect your computer or device from dampness or wet weather, such as rain, snow, and

so on.

m Read all the installation instructions carefully before you plug your computer or device into

a wall socket.

m Keep these instructions handy for reference by you and others.
m Follow all instructions and warnings dealing with your system.

Warning Electrical equipment may be hazardous if misused. Operation of this product,

or similar products, must always be supervised by an adult. Do not allow children access
to the interior of any electrical product and do not permit them to handle any cables.

To clean the case, do the following:

1 Disconnect the power plug. (Pull the plug, not the cord.)

2 Wipe the surfaces lightly with a clean, soft cloth dampened with water.

Important Do not use any substance containing isopropyl alcohol or damage to the plastic

will result.

Warning Never push objects of any kind into this product through the openings in the

case. Doing so can cause a fire or a dangerous electric shock.

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Installing Memory and Replacing the Backup Battery

This section provides information about memory and the backup battery and explains how to
install them.

Warning Apple Computer recommends that you have an Apple-certified technician install

memory. Apple does not provide telephone support for memory upgrades. Consult the
service and support information that came with your computer for instructions on how to
contact an Apple-authorized service provider or Apple for service. If you install these items
yourself, you risk damaging your equipment, and this damage is not covered by the limited
warranty on your computer. See an Apple-authorized dealer or service provider for
additional information about this or any other warranty question.

About Memory

Your computer contains two types of memory—dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) and
video memory. You can add DRAM to your computer in packages called Small Outline Dual
Inline Memory Modules, or SO-DIMMs.

The following illustration shows the locations of memory slots on the logic board. See the
sections that follow for important information about DRAM and video memory.

Video memory slot ( your computer has
a DIMM already installed in this slot)

Upper DRAM slot

Lower DRAM slot
(hidden under the processor
card; your computer has a
DIMM already installed in this slot)

DRAM Configurations

Your computer comes with a 32 megabyte (MB) SO-DIMM pre-installed. You can increase your
computer’s DRAM up to 256 megabytes (MB) by adding SO-DIMMs to the two RAM DIMM
slots on the main logic board.

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To increase the memory to the maximum of 256 MB, install a 128 MB DIMM in the
user-accessible upper expansion slot. Have a 128 MB DIMM installed in the lower slot. To
maintain your Apple warranty, the DIMM in the lower slot must be installed or removed by an
Apple-authorized service provider.

For more information about the type of SO-DIMMs you must use, see the technical
specifications in your online information, About Your iMac, available via the Help Center in the
Help menu.

Important This computer uses Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory (SDRAM)

SO-DIMMs. DIMMs from older Macintosh computers are not compatible with your computer
and should not be used even though they may fit into the RAM DIMM slots.

Video Memory Configurations

Your computer comes with a total of 6 MB of Synchronous Graphic RAM (SGRAM) video
memory; 2 MB are built into the logic board and 4 MB are in the video memory slot.

About the Backup Battery

If you have intermittent problems starting up your computer and the date is reset, you need to
replace the lithium backup battery in the computer. Replacing the battery may cause some
settings on your computer, such as the desktop patterns, to revert to the factory default
settings. You may also have to restore modem settings in any communication programs you
are using.

Important Make a note of the settings before you replace the battery.

Installing Memory or Replacing the Battery

Follow these instructions to install additional memory or replace the backup battery.

Important Before installing any of these items, carefully read “About Memory” on page 4 and

“About the Backup Battery,” above.

Installing additional memory and replacing the backup battery involves four procedures:

m Tu r ning off the computer
m Opening the computer
m Inserting the memory module into a specific slot or replacing the battery
m Closing the computer

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Turning Off the Computer

1 If your computer is turned on, turn it off by choosing Shut Down from the Special menu.

2 Unplug all the cables from the computer, including the power cord.

Warning If your internal modem is connected to a telephone line, make sure you

disconnect the telephone line from the internal modem port before you open the
computer’s cover. This prevents electric shock.

Now go to the next section, “Opening the Computer.”

Opening the Computer

1 If the computer is secured, unlock it by removing the security cable from the handle.

For more information, see the online documentation that came with your computer.

2 Place a soft towel or cloth on the desk or surface.

3 Holding the handle with one hand and the front of the computer with the other, slowly lift up

and turn the computer so the screen is facing down on the cloth.

Remove this screw. Use this handle to remove

Place a soft,
clean cloth
under the monitor.

the plastic cover by pulling
it away from the computer
as shown.

4 Use a Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the screw on the lower back cover.

Do not use a powered screwdriver. It may damage the screws on your computer.

5 Grab the small plastic handle on the cover and pull the cover away from the computer.

6 Set the cover aside.

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7 Touch any exposed metal on the logic board/drive assembly.

Touch the metal part of the
logic board/drive assembly.

This helps protect the computer from damage caused by electrostatic discharge.

Important Always do this before you touch any parts, or install any components, inside the

computer. To avoid generating static electricity, do not walk around the room until you have
completed the installation of the memory or replaced the battery and closed the computer.

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8 Remove one of the cables from underneath its clamp, then unscrew the thumbscrews

connecting the cable, and disconnect the cable.

Release the cable that is underneath
this cable clamp.

Remove this cable by unscrewing
these two thumbscrews.

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