Resolved PowerMac G5 hard drive

[blut haus]

I have a PowerMac G5 dual 1.8GHz model. I picked up a new 500GB SATA WD blue hard drive to replace the original. I popped the drive in and started up off the DVD to install 10.5. The disk utility refuses to see the drive. I tested it in another machine and it shows up just fine, so I don't believe it's bad. I noticed the original drive in the G5 has a jumper installed, I wasn't aware that SATA drives needed that set even on older machines? Anyway, the new WD drive has a spot for jumpers but there is no map explaining what the various settings are. Anyone have experience with replacing the drive in a G5?

 

[val1984]

I searched "wd blue jumpers" on Google and found this.
It seems that you need to put a jumper in the second position from the left to restrict this drive to SATA1 speeds (because PowerMac G5 have problems with SATA3 drives, which I guess your WD Blue is).

 

[blut haus]

I searched "wd blue jumpers" on Google and found this.
It seems that you need to put a jumper in the second position from the left to restrict this drive to SATA1 speeds (because PowerMac G5 have problems with SATA3 drives, which I guess your WD Blue is).

Ah, yes that would make sense. I'll give it a go once we are moved into our new place. Thank you much for the help!

 

[Hack5190]

There are issues with some drives related to SATA1 & 3 (as val1984 noted). To avoid any issues I used an OWC SSD when I upgraded mine.

 

[MultiFinder17]

This is why I found an old 64GB SATA I SSD when I wanted one to put in my G5. Works like a champ!

 

[blut haus]

This is why I found an old 64GB SATA I SSD when I wanted one to put in my G5. Works like a champ!

I actually have one of those laying around! I'll give that a go as well.