This article contains frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the Power Macintosh 5200 series computers.
Questions in this FAQ:
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1) What are the memory and VRAM expansion capabilities of the Power Macintosh 5200?
2) When I put a CD-ROM disc into my CD-ROM drive I get a message stating, "This disk is unreadable by this Macintosh. Do you want to initialize the disk?" What does this message mean?
3) I read that there is a flaw in some 603 processors and that there is diagnostic software to check our computers. Where can I find this software?
4) Is the GeoPort Telecom Adapter compatible with the Power Macintosh 5200?
5) Will the DOS Compatibility Card work in the PDS slot of the 5200 series computers?
6) Why do some benchmark utilities report false information about the Power Macintosh 5200?
7) Is there a Level-2 cache card installed in the Power Macintosh 5200 series?
8) What kind of hard drive is included in the Power Macintosh 5200? How do I reformat this drive?
9) Is the Power Macintosh 5200 Energy Star compliant?
10) Can I upgrade my Macintosh Performa 5200 or 6200 computer to a Macintosh Performa 5300 or 6300 computer?
11) Can I upgrade my Global Village Gold IIv 14.4 Kbps modem to 28.8 Kbps? Does Apple sell a replacement modem?
1) Question: What are the memory and VRAM expansion capabilities of the Power Macintosh 5200?
Answer: The Power Macintosh 5200 has no memory on the logic board and two 72-pin SIMM slots. Memory can be installed in one or both slots using 4, 8, 16 or 32 MB SIMMs. Most configurations shipped with a single 8 MB or 16 MB SIMM in one of the slots. The Power Macintosh 5200 can address up to 64 MB of RAM.
The Performa 5200 series and the Power Macintosh 5200/75 do not use VRAM. These computers store video data in a 1 MB DRAM frame buffer (separate from RAM) and no further video memory expansion is supported.
If you want greater color depth or screen resolution, you can install a third-party video card in the processor-direct slot and attach a second monitor.
2) Question: When I put a CD-ROM disc into my CD-ROM drive I get a message stating, "This disk is unreadable by this Macintosh. Do you want to initialize the disk?" What does this message mean?
Answer: When the CD-ROM drive does not recognize a particular type of CD, this indicates the CD-ROM software is not properly installed or is missing certain files. In some cases, one or several of the CD-ROM "Access" files may be damaged or a third-party extension or control panel may be conflicting with the CD-ROM software.
See the Tech Info Library article, "CD-ROM: "This disk is unreadable" Message" for the troubleshooting steps you should take to resolve this issue.
3) Question: I read that there is a flaw in some 603 processors and that there is diagnostic software to check our computers. Where can I find this software on eWorld?
Answer: The 52XX/62XX Diagnostic Utility is posted to Apple online services
This utility is considered 100% accurate. If your computer fails the test, please contact the Apple Assistance Center at 800-SOS-APPL to investigate your service options.
4) Question: Is the GeoPort Telecom Adapter compatible with the Power Macintosh 5200?
Answer: The GeoPort Telecom Adapter is not compatible with the Power Macintosh 5200 series.
5) Question: Will the DOS Compatibility Card work in the PDS slot of the 5200 series computers?
Answer: No, the DOS Compatibility Card for the Power Macintosh 6100 is not compatible with Power Macintosh 5200 computers.
6) Question: Why do some benchmark utilities report false information about the Power Macintosh 5200?
Answer: Each time Apple Computer releases a new computer, such as the Power Macintosh 5200, third-party diagnostic utilities which provide benchmark information may not have the data for the new computer. Contact the manufacturer of your diagnostic software for additional information on obtaining an updated version of their software.
7) Question: Is there a Level-2 cache card installed in the Power Macintosh 5200 series?
Answer: Yes, a 256k level-2 cache card comes pre-installed on the Power Macintosh 5200. The level-2 cache card not only functions as a 256k level-2 cache, but contains the Power Macintosh 5200's ROM set, as well. For this reason, third party level-2 cache cards are not compatible with the Power Macintosh 5200. At this time, Apple does not plan on releasing a larger level-2 cache for the Power Macintosh 5200.
8) Question: What kind of hard drive is included in the Power Macintosh 5200? How do I reformat this drive?
Answer: The Power Macintosh 5200 contains hard drives based on the IDE interface. Apple's implementation of the IDE Interface supports IDE and Enhanced IDE drives. If replacing the internal hard drive with a third-party IDE drive, the replacement IDE drive must support Logical Block Addressing (LBA).
To reformat the IDE drive, you should use the Internal HD Format Utility; if it does not work, use the Drive Setup Utility instead, which is available on the online services. You cannot use Apple HD SC Setup to check the internal IDE hard drive.
9) Question: Is the Power Macintosh 5200 Energy Star compliant?
Answer: Yes. With the installation of the appropriate Energy Saver software, (Screen and Auto Power On/Off control panels) the Power Macintosh 5200 is Energy Star compliant.
10) Question: Can I upgrade my Macintosh Performa 5200 or 6200 computer to a Macintosh Performa 5300 or 6300 computer?
Answer: Apple has announced that the Macintosh Performa 5200 and 6200 family of computers will be upgradeable to Macintosh Performa 5300 and 6300 computers respectively. The upgrade will be an entire logic board upgrade. Apple expects the logic board upgrade to be available later this year.
11) Question: Can I upgrade my Global Village Gold IIv 14.4 Kbps modem to 28.8 Kbps? Does Apple sell a replacement modem?
Answer: The internal modem cannot be upgraded to 28.8 Kbps, but it may be possible to replace it with an internal 28.8 Kbps modem.
A variant of the Global Village Platinum modem is bundled with the Macintosh Performa 6300 computer. This is an internal 28.8 Kbps modem which is also capable of voice throughput. As of the modification date of this article, Global Village does not offer this 28.8 internal modem separately. Contact Global Village to see what their current plans are.
Apple is not aware of other third-party manufacturers that offer a 28.8 Kbps internal modem. Apple does not sell a replacement modem for the Macintosh 5200 series computers.
If you cannot locate a suitable internal 28.8 Kbps modem, another option you may consider is to remove your existing internal modem. This re-enables the modem port on the back of your computer for use with an external 28.8 Kbps modem.
These articles can help you locate the software update mentioned here:
• "Where To Find Apple Software Updates" -- Lists online services for free Apple software updates.
• "Obtaining Apple Product Support in the USA" -- Lists 800 numbers and online services for software updates, Apple support information, and a subset of the Apple Tech Info Library.
Article Change History:
15 Jan 1996 - Added information on upgrading the GVC modem.
