imac G4 needs new HDD

[osufnl499]

My imac g4 (17" flat panel) has been making noises lately and it seems it is the hard drive. I was wondering if there is a guide to install a new one? Any information would be helpful.

Thanks,
Ryan

[iPhil]

My imac g4 (17" flat panel) has been making noises lately and it seems it is the hard drive. I was wondering if there is a guide to install a new one? Any information would be helpful.

Thanks,
Ryan


the easier way is use an external firewire drive .. the iMac G4 are a pita** to work on ..




pita** = pain in the ass

[sigamy]

You'd better be good with a screwdriver...

http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/iMac_g4/imacg4_takeapart.html

[osufnl499]

the easier way is use an external firewire drive .. the iMac G4 are a pita** to work on ..




pita** = pain in the ass


Can you boot from a firewire drive?

[aquajet]

Can you boot from a firewire drive?

Yes. It's probably best to replace the internal drive if it's bad. But I agree, it's a serious pain in the ass. You need to be better than just familiar with a screwdriver.

[ITASOR]

Can you boot from a firewire drive?

Yup, it'll probably be faster that way too, unless you were to put a 7200 inside the iMac which probably wouldn't be a hot idea (no pun intended :p ).

[osufnl499]

What all do i need to look for when getting the drive. I will probably just have someone else put it in but what kind of drive do i need?

[osufnl499]

Also if i go the firewire route is there a way to have to internal shut off all the time? so it doesnt make any noises or use the power?

Thanks
Ryan

[iMeowbot]

Yup, it'll probably be faster that way too, unless you were to put a 7200 inside the iMac which probably wouldn't be a hot idea (no pun intended :p ).
Not a problem, many of them came from the factory with 7200 RPM DeathStars.

All you need is your garden variety 3.5" ATA/100 hard drive. The Hitachis do tend to run cool, so it may be a good idea to stick with them.

[osufnl499]

So if i were to get a firewire drive enclosure and a drive that would work? Would i just install osx on the drive and use it as my startup disk? Would my internal drive be off then? and when restarting the computer is there anything special i would need to do or just have the firewire drive on and plugged in?

[aquajet]

So if i were to get a firewire drive enclosure and a drive that would work? Would i just install osx on the drive and use it as my startup disk? Would my internal drive be off then? and when restarting the computer is there anything special i would need to do or just have the firewire drive on and plugged in?

Yes
Yes
No, unless it's really broken
Just keep it plugged in

BTW, what kind of noises? Does it still work right now, or no?

[osufnl499]

its like a clicking or a ticking and it does it like on and off like one day it will the next it wont. I have it off now and i plan on backing everything up before it goes completely bad

[aquajet]

Yeah, sounds like it's been in the toaster too long. Back up as soon as possible because it could fail any minute.

[osufnl499]

Yeah thats what im going to do im just debating between replacing it with an internal drive or going the external route. If i go internal I might have someone else do it for me because i dont feel like dealing with that mess.

[ChrisA]

its like a clicking or a ticking and it does it like on and off like one day it will the next it wont. I have it off now and i plan on backing everything up before it goes completely bad

It will become very dead soon. You are very lucky. Normally they don't give warnning like this.

I'd have the drive replaced. New drives cost about $100 to $150. and they are much larger. You should look up the specs and see how much power your current drive uses and then make certain that you buy a replacement that uses no more than that much power in Watts. Power exactly equals heat The good news is that with a given power budget get can get much larger and faster drive than your current one. It will be worth the effort.

I like the Seagate drives because (1) they have a good 5 year warenty (2) lowest noise. (3) good performance specs but they are all so close this hardly matters.

Do your homework don't let the repair tech just put in whatever he hapens to get the best deal on when he buys in bulk. Buy the best that your "power budget" (aka "heat budget") allows. The internal drive will cost less but then you may have to pay a tech to swap it for you unless you are good with with your hands and small parts

[osufnl499]

It will become very dead soon. You are very lucky. Normally they don't give warnning like this.

I'd have the drive replaced. New drives cost about $100 to $150. and they are much larger. You should look up the specs and see how much power your current drive uses and then make certain that you buy a replacement that uses no more than that much power in Watts. Power exactly equals heat The good news is that with a given power budget get can get much larger and faster drive than your current one. It will be worth the effort.

I like the Seagate drives because (1) they have a good 5 year warenty (2) lowest noise. (3) good performance specs but they are all so close this hardly matters.

Do your homework don't let the repair tech just put in whatever he hapens to get the best deal on when he buys in bulk. Buy the best that your "power budget" (aka "heat budget") allows. The internal drive will cost less but then you may have to pay a tech to swap it for you unless you are good with with your hands and small parts

Does anyone have any of this information? I looked on apples website and it just lists 80 GB ultra ATA drive it doesnt give a brand or anything. It is the 17" 800 mhz G4 model

Thanks,
Ryan