2 G4 powermacs into 1

[bomberosam]

Hi all, new to mac so excuse newby.
I have acquired 2 old but working G4 powermacs.
1- is quicksilver 867 single but with 10.5.8 and with large HD (best update for this unit, apparently)
2- is mirror door 867 dual but with 10.4 small HD (unable to software update on line, keep getting error message)

I would like to cannibalise the 2 to get the best of both.
Have some software which requires the best of both i.e the dual processor AND 10.5.8.

If I place the HD from 1 into 2 should it work, or will I need to reinstall OS?
Can I use the 2nd HD as a 2nd drive? Will I need to erase it? and how?
I assume only one graphic card will operate. But....
1- has just a DVD/CD drive
2- has Combo and a Super

I do not have original discs for OS.
So far am pleased with my first experiences with a mac, but frustrating to have software which will ALMOST operate with one or the other but in reality will operate with neither.

Like to get this working as an intro to macs without breaking the bank.

Any advice much appreciated.
Keith

 

[666sheep]

You can swap drives (optical, HD) and graphics cards between these 2. OS reinstall won't be needed. In most of cases it will work plug & play.

 

[Dave H]

The Quicksilver 867 has a 1.5GB RAM limit, can only use 1 optical drive, and only has one hard drive bus. A 2nd hard drive would be installed either in a master/slave setup (slow), or put in the 3.5" bay under the optical drive (slower).

The MDD 867 can use 2GB of RAM, can use 2 optical drives, and can use two hard drives more efficiently, as it has two hard drive buses. Put one drive on each for best speed.

 

[bomberosam]

Thanks guys for the advice, it has confirmed what I'd hoped. Take the HD from the Quicksilver and place in the Mirror Door.
The QS has an updated graphics card but still not as good as the one in the MD.
MD= APPLE DUAL 867 G4 512MB RAM -0S 10.4.11
COMBO DRIVE-SUPER DRIVE-60GB DRIVE Graphics 4MX
QS= Specification
processor Speed: 867 MHz (L2 Cache 256 KB per CPU - L3 Cache 2Mb per CPU)
CPUs: 1
Memory: 1 GB (2x 512 MB, SDRAM, PC133-133)
Bus Speed: 133 MHz
Graphics: nVidia GeForce 2 MX 32MB ADC Apple Developer Connection VGA Video Graphics Array ADC Apple Display Connector
HDD: 160Gb ATA
Optical Drive: Apple SuperDrive CD-ROM/CD-R/DVD-ROM/DVD-R
Expansion Slots: PCI x3 (33 MHz 64-bit)
Wifi/Airport: Airport extreme added

If I put the HD from the QS and replace the HD from the MD I should get 10.5.8 with the dual processor? Then put the HD from the MD into the MD as a 2nd drive, do I need to wipe the drive? If so, I do this once I have placed it in 2nd position, then format it? If not then how?

Then, are there any other parts worth holding onto before I dispose of it?

Thanks
Keith

 

[NZed]

You can swap drives (optical, HD) and graphics cards between these 2. OS reinstall won't be needed. In most of cases it will work plug & play.

makes me thinks about Microsoft's Windows 95's Slogan: Plug and Pray

lol

 

[Dave H]

If I put the HD from the QS and replace the HD from the MD I should get 10.5.8 with the dual processor?

Yes.

Then put the HD from the MD into the MD as a 2nd drive

The MDD has two hard drive cables. Each hard drive should be on its own cable in 1st position. The HD from the QS may need to have its jumper set to "CS". I'm not sure about that though.

Will I need to erase it? and how?

You shouldn't need to.
There is a video clip here showing the installation of hard drives in an MDD. Their locations in the case are "unusual".