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How do you install a second drive in a G5 Dual Processor

C

concun64

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 12, 2013
7
0
Galveston, Texas
I am trying to install a 2nd SATA drive in a 1.8 DP G5. The service manual says to clip the cables. I can manage the data cable, but there is no info on how to connect a power cable. Is there a "work around" BTW, if you are interested, service manuals are available at .

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
My single 1.8Ghz G5 has two drive bays.

With the front grill to your left and the cover and plastic cover off the drive bays should be on the top right. The empty drive bay should have both a power lead and a data lead. You shove the second drive in to the empty bay (there should be screws for a second drive somewhere in that area) and then connect the leads.

Are you saying that there is no power and data leads for the second drive bay? You might have to look inside a bit to find them. Shine a flashlight in there.

Or is the Dual 1.8Ghz G5 such a different beast that it does not have a second drive bay?
 
You don't need service manuals to install a hard drive in a G5 Powermac. The drives are mounted one on top of the other in the top rear of the machine just behind the optical drive. The cables are already there, and the 4 mounting screws are stored right there too (assuming nobody took them out).
 
I didn't make myself clear about my problem

concun64 said:
I am trying to install a 2nd SATA drive in a 1.8 DP G5. The service manual says to clip the cables. I can manage the data cable, but there is no info on how to connect a power cable. Is there a "work around" BTW, if you are interested, service manuals are available at .

Thanks in advance for your help.
Click to expand...


The cables are there but there is not enough slack to attach them to the drive so I need to run new data and power cable to install my 2nd drive. I can see the cables, but cannot plug them to the additional drive. I tried for an hour and half. So my alternative is to remove the provided cables and run new ones with enough slack to attach them to the drive. Are there short extensions ( 1" to 3" that) I could attach to the existing cables to give me slack.

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my question.
 
Can you shoot a picture of this? I've never heard of the factory cables not being long enough to attach a drive. They're tight, but they have the length. You are installing the drive with the I/O facing out correct?
 
It's also possible that you are not putting the drive in correctly or not pushing it far enough back.
 
suggestion reply

Adding a second drive couldn't be easier, no scissors are needed :D. Simply take the four screws to the left of the drive bay and put them in the four holes in your hard drive, then slide the drive into the bay and connect using the provided connectors.

::
 
More info on HD cables

I've pushed the drive as far into the bay as possible. The connectors are visible but are pinned under the bracket. There is not enough slack in either the power or data cable to plug them into the drive. I guess they decided to save the cost of an inch of cable. Will try to get and send a picture.

Thanks again!
 
concun64 said:
I've pushed the drive as far into the bay as possible. The connectors are visible but are pinned under the bracket. There is not enough slack in either the power or data cable to plug them into the drive. I guess they decided to save the cost of an inch of cable. Will try to get and send a picture.

Thanks again!
Click to expand...

The cables very short—it's a PITA to reach them if you have big paws.

Here's a video that shows how to install a second disk:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b66ZH6jGKzU

Note that you have to remove the 'bottom' drive first if you want to install the new drive in the 'top' bay.
 
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