A few questions about the PowerMac G5

[maclover001]

Just bought one off Craigslist to use as a web server. Few questions:

1) Is there an easy (and reversible) way to make the front USB port power-only (not data)? I want to charge my iPod, PSP, etc with it without disrupting the server

2) Is there a way to replace the optical drive with a third hard drive?

3) I noticed when you open it, there is a clear piece of plastic, are you supposed to keep that or is it packaging?

4) I have cats that shed a lot and I fear cat hair will find its way inside the holes in the front. Do those holes take air in or blow it out?

Thanks!!

 

[Sun Baked]

1. A cheap power brick the USB adaptor.

2. It is a full IDE bus, you can stick a couple on that bus.

3. Keep it in, or you will get door errors

4. Suck in the front and blow out the back.

 

[AlexMaximus]

two solutions on question #2

2) Is there a way to replace the optical drive with a third hard drive?

This is the one I use in my G4. I am sure it would fit in since the 5,25 drive bays are all the same in every computer.
Works perfect for me and is reasonable priced:

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/8...ipe_35_Hard_Drive_Cooler_XPHDB.html?tl=g40c18

Or you go for that one if you want fast SATA drives:

http://www.sonnettech.com/product/g5_jive.html?products_id=187

 

[peskaa]

1) Dunno, possible? Might break a few things though.
2) Yes. See above posters.
3) That piece of plastic is part of the cooling, and shapes the airflow through the case. Remove it and the fans will go into high-speed and stay there. So don't remove it.
4) In the front, out the back. Some people have fitted filters however.