Mac desktops forum: Need UpGrade of old workhorse G3 300 Mac

Here's my info on the old G3 300 Mac Mini-Tower:

Macintosh G3 300
Beige Mini-Tower8
Serial No. XB8350APEQE - 8/22/1998
1 MB Cache
64MB/8GB HD/24XCDAV/6VR/ZIP

NEC MultiSync 5FGe with a NEC Adapter for connection to teh system.
Vram Type: EDO SGRAM

Video Card: 3D Rage II + /' (System date above is 8/22/1998)
(Supposedly UpGraded by Apple to ATI Rage Pro Turbo starting August 12, 1998

Not sure about the OS version, but, I think I have it running Ver 9.2.2

PROBLEMS: My old 30 lb NEC Monitor has been slowly deteriorating and it is not to the point where I cannot read it at all even with the lights out at night. Also, I don't know if that is the only problem. The Video card may also be bad, but, I not positive on that.

Now, I know all of you UPGRADE gurus were just waiting for a chance to dive into something like this.

I NEED HELP!! I WILL ALSO TAKE SUGGESTIONS!!
But, understand also that I am retired and living on a limited budget, but will kick in for some reasonable upgrades.

Scenario #1:
What would I need to upgrade JUST the monitor? I've tried the stores around and virtually all of them carry the newer Wide Screen LCD monitors. I had read something that stated that this system might not be able to handle the Wide Screen, but, that if it did it would be a very poor resolution screen.

IS there truly a replacement LCD screen that will work with this G3 300 and replace the NEC CRT monitor? If so, what would I need - vendor number and part number wise? I'm totallly lost on trying to find this information. I read lots of it, but it doesn't answer my quesitons.

Scenario #2:
IF I cannot find a monitor that will work with the existing system I understand that I might also UpGrade the Video card to have the system work with one of the newer Wide Screen monitors. IF this is the ONLY fix what would I need - Video Card Mfg. and Part Number and Monitor Mfg. and Part Number.

Scenario #3
Whate level of maximum RAM strips can I pump this up to? I just cannot remember what this had in it and I cannot see it because all of my other monitors will not work on this system.

One last thing - I haven't had this system open for 5-6 years, but remember it being fairly clean inside (lots of space) so I am assuming I would have no problem replacing a Video Card, but, just to be on the save side are there pictorial instructions any where on the Net for this process?

I really do want this back up and running as I have hundreds $$ of software on it and I'm finding that I cannot afford the new versions (PhotoShop is one example) so I want to use this system again.

I would greatly appreciate any help that anyone can give to support my upgrade project.

Thanks!


JayGee

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