failed hdd in ibook; what to do?

homeshire · Dec 20, 2007, 10:31 AM

i have hands on an ibook with specs as below. the hdd has failed and will not boot. i am way too stupid to hunt down a replacement hdd. i have zero experience here. could someone tell me a good replacement? don't need top of the line, just want to get the book functioning again. the failed drive is a hitachi ic25n060atmr04-0.

thanks

Eidorian · Dec 20, 2007, 10:32 AM

You really don't want to open up an iBook.

Cave Man · Dec 20, 2007, 12:11 PM

Here's a nice one (ATA-6 interface). But Eidorian's right - replacing an HD in an iBook isn't for the uninitiated. I did it once and it took me two hours. If you decide to do it, be sure you have no distractions for the duration and get yourself an ice cube rack to put screws in from each step of the process. Here's a good walk-through (only 57 pages long). Let us know how it goes.

geissap · Dec 20, 2007, 12:21 PM

Indeed. Taking off the top case and bottom case with no experience is a bear. Apple using a special nylon tool to do it. It can be done but it's not an easy repair by any means. Apple will replace it for about 300 bucks. I'd say just go with Apple. Or buy your own HD and find a third party to put it in for you.

FJ218700 · Dec 20, 2007, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geissap

Indeed. Taking off the top case and bottom case with no experience is a bear. Apple using a special nylon tool to do it. It can be done but it's not an easy repair by any means. Apple will replace it for about 300 bucks. I'd say just go with Apple. Or buy your own HD and find a third party to put it in for you.

actually, it's not that bad. I replaced the HD on my 800 MHz ibook last week, took less than an hour. there are about 40 screws and three hex bolts (8 mm). All you need is a small phillips screwdriver, an 8 mm hex wrench, and a small flat-head screwdriver for prying. The worst part is disconnecting the powersupply and speakers from the logic board after the case is split.

just keep track of which screw goes where. There is a good guide on iFixit.

edit: just saw that you are talking about a G4, sorry, might be more difficult.

eman · Dec 20, 2007, 12:39 PM

If you are going to spend $300 - $400, put this money towards a macbook and sell your ibook on greedbay (ebay).

EvryDayImShufln · Dec 20, 2007, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eman

If you are going to spend $300 - $400, put this money towards a macbook and sell your ibook on greedbay (ebay).

I agree. Either change the hard drive yourself or sell the thing, its not worth paying that much money + the cost of a hard drive to get an old ibook working again.

Dec 20, 2007, 10:31 AM	#1
homeshire macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ohio, looking toward Germany	failed hdd in ibook; what to do? i have hands on an ibook with specs as below. the hdd has failed and will not boot. i am way too stupid to hunt down a replacement hdd. i have zero experience here. could someone tell me a good replacement? don't need top of the line, just want to get the book functioning again. the failed drive is a hitachi ic25n060atmr04-0. thanks Attached Thumbnails __________________ quam multa fieri non posse, priusquam sint facta judicantur --Pliny If your device is Plays for Sure compliant it may work --- too hilarious
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Dec 20, 2007, 10:32 AM	#2
Eidorian macrumors Penryn Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Indiana	You really don't want to open up an iBook. __________________ Core i5 750 / 16 GB RAM / SSD / HD 7950 / Windows 8
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Dec 20, 2007, 12:11 PM	#3
Cave Man macrumors 603 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Neander Valley, Germany; just outside of Duesseldorf	Here's a nice one (ATA-6 interface). But Eidorian's right - replacing an HD in an iBook isn't for the uninitiated. I did it once and it took me two hours. If you decide to do it, be sure you have no distractions for the duration and get yourself an ice cube rack to put screws in from each step of the process. Here's a good walk-through (only 57 pages long). Let us know how it goes. __________________ 2012 Mac Mini; i5 Quad Core ITX Hackintosh with Blu-ray playback HTPC; 1 TB eSATA Apple TV; 3.8 gHz i7 Quad Core Hackintosh, 2GB HD5870; MacBook Pro i7; MacBook Air; iPhone 4s; 1st Mac=Centris 610
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Dec 20, 2007, 12:21 PM	#4
geissap macrumors member Join Date: Dec 2007	Indeed. Taking off the top case and bottom case with no experience is a bear. Apple using a special nylon tool to do it. It can be done but it's not an easy repair by any means. Apple will replace it for about 300 bucks. I'd say just go with Apple. Or buy your own HD and find a third party to put it in for you.
	0

Dec 20, 2007, 12:39 PM	#6
eman macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In the great white north	If you are going to spend $300 - $400, put this money towards a macbook and sell your ibook on greedbay (ebay).
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