The first G3 series introduced in late 1997 is able to support all the PCI based PC Compatibility Cards except the 12-inch PCI Pentium (100Mhz card). Thus, the 7-inch PCI 586 (100Mhz card) and the 12-inch PCI Pentium (166Mhz) should function in the G3 chassis if properly installed.
Since the Power Macintosh G3 All-in-one can only accept 7-inch PCI cards, the 7-inch PCI 586 (100Mhz card) is the only PC Compatibility card that can be used in this computer. The Power Macintosh G3 All-in-one
cannot accept 12-inch cards, including the 12-inch PCI Pentium (166Mhz) card.
The 7-inch PCI 586 100Mhz kit does not come with an ATAPI CD audio cable for G3's ATAPI CD-ROM drive, this cable would need to be acquired for this card type to work.
The steps below will give a general outline of how to install the 12-inch PCI Pentium 166Mhz PC Compatibility card into the G3 chassis. The 12-inch PC Pentium 166Mhz PC Compatibility Card kit does come with an ATAPI CD audio cable along with two regular audio cables for SCSI CD-ROM drives.
Opening the Computer1. Shut down the computer and disconnect all cables from the computer, except the power cord.
2. Open the side casing for the G3 chassis.
3. Touch the metal part of the power supply case inside the computer. This is for discharging possibly damaging static buildup. If a static mat and cuff is used then this step will not be necessary.
4. Now disconnect the power cord.
5. Flip the two plastic (green retaining clips and swing the drive bays up and away from the logic board.
Inserting the PC Compatibility Card1. Unscrew and remove the metal port access covers for the PCI slot you need.
2. Insert the PC Compatibility Card into the open PCI slot, taking care to fully seat the card into the slot.
3. Reinsert the screw you removed earlier to secure the card.
Connecting the CD IN Cable
The G3's ATAPI CDROM drive will only accept the ATAPI audio CD cable.
1. Disconnect the audio cable from the back of the built-in CD-ROM drive. Disconnect the other end of the audio cable from the Macintosh logic board, and remove it from the computer.
2. Plug the PC Compatibility card bundled ATAPI audio cable (black plastic plug) into the back of the CD-ROM drive.
3. Plug the other end (white plug) of the ATAPI audio cable into the CD In connector in the far upper-left corner of the PC Compatibility card (this connector is labeled "CD IN" on the PC Compatibility Card).
Connecting the Sound Out Cable1. Plug one of the other SCSI audio cables remaining (either one will work) into the connector marked CD IN, near the PRAM battery on the G3 logic board.
2. Plug the other end of that audio cable into the connector next to the CD In connector on the PC Compatibility Card (this connector is labeled "STD_SND_OUT" and is the middle socket out of the three on the PC Compatibility Card).
3. Arrange the audio cables so that it avoids laying over any heat sinks or where they might be physically damaged.
Replacing the Computer Cover1. Make sure all cables and cards are firmly connected.
2. Replace the side casing of the G3 chassis.
3. Reconnect all equipment.
Power Macintosh G3 All-in-one: Using the 7-inch PC Compatibility Card
One additional issue for the Power Macintosh G3 All-in-one is the lack of an external/internal video out connector to the display. To overcome this, you must use a second display, attached directly to the PC Compatibility card, to view the PC environment. The cable that is provided with the PC Compatibility card has connectors available for a Macintosh-specific or an SVGA-type display.
This is also the case with the Orange Micro OrangePC cards, T2106LL/A, that Apple sells via K-12 Inside Sales.