Will this HDD work in my PM G5?

[Obsidian6]

I was given a Maxtor Diamond Max Plus 9 200GB ATA/133 drive ( i have no idea if it works or not )

Will this HDD work inside of my G5? If so that's great news because thats a free extra 200GB scratch disk for me

if you guys know id would love to hear from ya

 

[gothicx00]

If we are talking about a PowerMac G5 tower, I can't remember if there are two IDE chains on the MB. The main system drive is a SATA drive. But if not you could spend $30 on an external case and run it in via Firewire. It'd be just as fast if not faster.

 

[Obsidian6]

i mean as far as the connections go. (I know all about using and manipulating computers, but im a fish out of water when it comes to changing components lol )

 

[iGary]

It would probably help if it was SATA.

 

[Obsidian6]

aw boo. so it wont work then?

 

[kalisphoenix]

Get an external enclosure. $30 @ CompUSA.

 

[iGary]

aw boo. so it wont work then?

You need a Serial ATA hard drive for your PM.

 

[Obsidian6]

so a case such as this one would work then?

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Sabrent/ECSUFMC/

and if you have any recommendation for a good case. feel free to chime in

 

[gothicx00]

While that is slick looking, you can pick up a generic case just about anywhere. I'm willing to bet your local computer shop will have one, and if they don't, they might be able to order you one from their distributor and save you the hassle of paying shipping.

I personally prefer Adaptec external cases, partly for looks and cooling but mostly because my gf works at a local major chain retailer and I get em cheap (like nearly half retail, which is $60). But really anything will work as long as it's got ATA on the inside and USB/Firewire on the out side.

 

[Obsidian6]

i went over to compusa and got one for $35 it is from acomdata ( never heard of them )

plugged it all in reassembled everything and bam. it works. I reformatted it to HFS journaled and now i have an extra 200GB backup drive! yay!

 

[gothicx00]

plugged it all in reassembled everything and bam. it works.

Did you have any doubt that it would?

 

[Obsidian6]

Did you have any doubt that it would?

I had a few fleeting moments of doubt because the box said 3.5" IDE drives and i didn't know if that was the same thing.

( and setting the master plug on the hard drive itself, had to look that one up )

 

[timswim78]

It can work if you get an SATA to PATA adapter. Here is one, and you may be able to find them for less elsewhere.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Sonnet Technology/TPASA/

 

[Obsidian6]

well i'll be! look at that, that would have been a great way to go. Lol i wish someone told me about that sooner.

Oh well, I'll keep that in mind for the future.

thanks!

 

[gothicx00]

It can work if you get an SATA to PATA adapter.

well i'll be! look at that, that would have been a great way to go.

Don't feel too bad. I feel like an idiot for not thinking of that solution either.

BTW for future reference, all HDD designed for desktops are 3.5" drives. Nearly all the drives intended for use in laptops are 2.5"
It's a universal standard. You can use 2.5" drives in a desktop, and it is far easier with sata than pata (no adapter needed) and i've seen it done a few times for small formfactor cases, but it is a rairity.