how hard is it to intall a hd on a powerbook?

[krossfyter]

Okay as some of you know i have been having some trouble with my powerbook. Through the help you all have provided I have come to the conclusion that my hard drive is on its way out. Click of death could happen soon. I am now looking into purchasing a new hard drive for my powerbook but i am unsure as to which one to go with...western digital, travel star, maxtor or what? I am looking into the 60gb with 5400 speed or at least a 40gb. Willing to spend a little over 200 bucks. I have a powerbook G4 667 (rev. c). Okay once I find the hard drive i want can i be able to install it myself or is it too hard of a task? Any online instructions or anything of that matter? Have any of you all reading this done this or know of someone that has? Any help will be appreciated. Thanx.

[ZildjianKX]

I've heard that installing a new hard drive on a Titanium Powerbook is pretty straight forward (I've heard its even in the manual too)... but in the new AlBooks, its a LOT harder.

That's what I've heard at least, so don't shoot the messanger :)

GL w/ your surgery.

[krossfyter]

thanks for the support man. i hope its pretty straight forward.

[krossfyter]

whats the significance of the speed of the hard drive (stupid question i know)... but is there really a difference between 5400 and 4200? Whats the difference?


here are my options...

http://eshop.macsales.com/Catalog_Page.cfm?Parent=91&Title=2%2E5%22%20IDE%20%26%20SCSI%20for%20Laptops&Template=

[hugemullens]

There was a macworld a few months back showing how to replace a titanium hard drive. It seems pretty easy. It might be on thier site. Its not a huge upgrade to go from 4200 to 5400, but if you do disk intesive stuff it is noticable. I would think if you gonna replace, do spend the extra and get a 5400. But you shouldn't have to much trouble.

[krossfyter]

yeah thanks man. actually a do do some graphic intensive stuff. i do a little video here and there but not much. im usually doing a lot of photoshop stuff.... illustrator too. So because of that then I will really feel that 5400 right? I am just trying to figure out the difference between the feel of the hard drive speed and the feel of a processor speeed.

[ethernet76]

Get the 5400 and the largests you can afford. You really want to stay away from filling up the hard drive. I can tell you it will kill your large file photoshop performance.

[jamdr]

You better hope that it's easier on a TiBook than an AlBook, because on my 12" it's impossible to get the case open without damaging it. I think you need some special took or something. But like the previous poster said, maybe it's easier on the TiBook.

[Nermal]

The service manual (http://ftpmac.free.fr/ftp/pbg4_dvi.pdf) might be useful :)

Edit: And this (http://www.info.apple.com/usen/cip/pdf/pbg4/pbg4dvi1ghz-hd-cip.pdf) could be helpful too.

Another Edit: The first document shows how to replace most of the parts inside the system, the second one only covers the hard drive. Both seem to have the same HD replacement instructions.

[krossfyter]

wow. thats exactly what i need. thanks nermal.

so i guess i should go with the 5400 one. just for future reference.... in terms of hard drive space... how low can you get it before its dangerous for your computer?

[iChan]

Originally posted by jamdr
You better hope that it's easier on a TiBook than an AlBook, because on my 12" it's impossible to get the case open without damaging it. I think you need some special took or something. But like the previous poster said, maybe it's easier on the TiBook.

not true, i have taken the case off, and basically disassembled my 12-inch PB 3 times and it is even better now than before, because i bent a bit of metal back into place... it's actually really easy... far far far from "impossible"

[iChan]

why don't you go straight for a 7200RPM drive??? the Hitachi 60GB 7K60 si what I got, it's really really fast, quiet, and not as hot as my stock 60GB 4200RPM drive. the speed increase was most definitely noticable and my PB no longer feels like it's breaking into a sweat just opening a program because it's silent!... well, practically.

[Versello]

If ya need instructions fer upgrading yer HD, here are instructions:

http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/powerbookG4_12in_HD_upgrade/PowebookG4_12in_HD_upgrade.htm#storytop

[krossfyter]

Originally posted by iChan
why don't you go straight for a 7200RPM drive??? the Hitachi 60GB 7K60 si what I got, it's really really fast, quiet, and not as hot as my stock 60GB 4200RPM drive. the speed increase was most definitely noticable and my PB no longer feels like it's breaking into a sweat just opening a program because it's silent!... well, practically.


you know i was just about to post about that HITACHI TravelStar 60 GB and ask what you all that of it... and you beat me to it!

so this thing is not all hype? it really is a performance boost? wheres the cheapest one at? i saw one at macmall for 250.

[krossfyter]

Originally posted by Versello
If ya need instructions fer upgrading yer HD, here are instructions:

http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/powerbookG4_12in_HD_upgrade/PowebookG4_12in_HD_upgrade.htm#storytop

i noticed that thats a 12 inch Aluminum powerbook. Is the procedure/installation process the same thing with a 15 inch Tibook?

[iChan]

do a search on www.xlr8yourmac.com and you will find an article on changing the HD in the 15-inch...

I'm from europe, so I presume the prices are majorly different, and I got it through a friend at a discount anyway...

[krossfyter]

just found this as a result of looking at the link you provided... thanks.

http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/powerbook_g4/PB_G4_HD_upgrade/pb_g4_hd_upgrade2.html

[iChan]

oh, an yeah, it's not all hype, it really is great... iMovie works much better and apps launch quicker...

however, in everyday use, like browsing and stuff, it isn't THAT huge of a difference, but there is a perception of it being faster, and you will also have a greater peace of mind, knowing that you have the most advanced Laptop HD on the market today.

[krossfyter]

cool ichan thanks man. looks like im set and i have enough information to make an informed purchase.

can someone give me an anology between the difference between the speed of the hard drive and the speed of the processor in terms of over all system performance?

[Versello]

Originally posted by iChan
not true, i have taken the case off, and basically disassembled my 12-inch PB 3 times and it is even better now than before, because i bent a bit of metal back into place... it's actually really easy... far far far from "impossible"

Do you have to unscrew the mini alan screws to open it? I'm also planning on upgrading my HD and would like to know in advance.

[Versello]

Originally posted by Nermal
The service manual (http://ftpmac.free.fr/ftp/pbg4_dvi.pdf) might be useful :)

Edit: And this (http://www.info.apple.com/usen/cip/pdf/pbg4/pbg4dvi1ghz-hd-cip.pdf) could be helpful too.

Another Edit: The first document shows how to replace most of the parts inside the system, the second one only covers the hard drive. Both seem to have the same HD replacement instructions.

When I try downloading the service maual from the first link, it says the file is corrupted when I try opening it.

edit: nm found out it wasn't letting me download the entire thing... hum

[jaykk]

I upgraded to 7200rpm travelstar in my TiBook 550Mhz, its a piece of cake if you have right screw driver - no problem at all. And its quite fast, and quiet too.

[krossfyter]

cool. so what tasks can you notice a difference in with an increase in the speed of the hard drive? likewise for the ram?