Comments on: Al Powerbook G4 15″ Hard Drive Upgrade http://meanderingpassage.com/2006/04/09/al-powerbook-g4-15-hard-drive-upgrade/ Life is seldom simple so we must make sense of the twist and turns Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:18:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Doug http://meanderingpassage.com/2006/04/09/al-powerbook-g4-15-hard-drive-upgrade/comment-page-2/#comment-29451 Doug Sat, 19 Dec 2009 12:42:37 +0000 http://skillsteps.com/wp/?p=38#comment-29451 Well, Christmas is ruined! Instead of networking my two machines together and using RemoteMe to play with both machines, I've got to pack it up and send it back - Amazon delivered the WD2500BEVT which has a totally different connector, so I have to return it and get a replacement. What an anti-climax! Ifixit's instructions were fine, and I was glad to find no screws done up too tight - but I used a set of jewellers' (non-Phillips) screwdrivers, which allowed greater purchase. Disassembly's easy, though - the trick will be putting it back together without dropping anything - once I get the right HDD. Gloom... Well, Christmas is ruined! Instead of networking my two machines together and using RemoteMe to play with both machines, I’ve got to pack it up and send it back – Amazon delivered the WD2500BEVT which has a totally different connector, so I have to return it and get a replacement. What an anti-climax!

Ifixit’s instructions were fine, and I was glad to find no screws done up too tight – but I used a set of jewellers’ (non-Phillips) screwdrivers, which allowed greater purchase. Disassembly’s easy, though – the trick will be putting it back together without dropping anything – once I get the right HDD.

Gloom…

]]> By: Earl Moore http://meanderingpassage.com/2006/04/09/al-powerbook-g4-15-hard-drive-upgrade/comment-page-2/#comment-29386 Earl Moore Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:52:57 +0000 http://skillsteps.com/wp/?p=38#comment-29386 Doug, best of luck on you Christmas upgrade and I hope you have many more years with your G4. 27" iMac -- nice!!! Doug, best of luck on you Christmas upgrade and I hope you have many more years with your G4. 27″ iMac — nice!!!

]]> By: Doug http://meanderingpassage.com/2006/04/09/al-powerbook-g4-15-hard-drive-upgrade/comment-page-2/#comment-29385 Doug Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:40:07 +0000 http://skillsteps.com/wp/?p=38#comment-29385 This is fascinating for those of us who love out Powerbooks. My 5 year-old G4 died a month ago when I ran it for too long on a flat battery and corrupted the disk. A replacement WD2500BEVS was available on Amazon UK for 41.95, but they also had an offer for the WD3200BEVT at 39.99 - greater storage, but the 'T' signifies a 3Gb/s transfer rate from buffer to memory, and I'm not too sure that my old 2003 G4 could take it. So like the technological coward I am, I've placed an order for the WD2500BEVS, plus an enclosure so that I could hook it up to my **brand new** 27" iMac and restore the disk image from my 1Tb external drive (taken at the time of failure). So I'm looking forward to the Christmas break... This is fascinating for those of us who love out Powerbooks. My 5 year-old G4 died a month ago when I ran it for too long on a flat battery and corrupted the disk. A replacement WD2500BEVS was available on Amazon UK for 41.95, but they also had an offer for the WD3200BEVT at 39.99 – greater storage, but the ‘T’ signifies a 3Gb/s transfer rate from buffer to memory, and I’m not too sure that my old 2003 G4 could take it. So like the technological coward I am, I’ve placed an order for the WD2500BEVS, plus an enclosure so that I could hook it up to my **brand new** 27″ iMac and restore the disk image from my 1Tb external drive (taken at the time of failure). So I’m looking forward to the Christmas break…

]]> By: Stuart http://meanderingpassage.com/2006/04/09/al-powerbook-g4-15-hard-drive-upgrade/comment-page-2/#comment-29243 Stuart Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:24:48 +0000 http://skillsteps.com/wp/?p=38#comment-29243 Many thanks for your reply. The PB was bought new but had a hard drive replacement under warranty within 6 months of purchase. That was about 5 years ago. I'm starting to think the repair may have left off the bracket, which is strange but the only explanation I can think of. Many thanks for your reply. The PB was bought new but had a hard drive replacement under warranty within 6 months of purchase. That was about 5 years ago. I’m starting to think the repair may have left off the bracket, which is strange but the only explanation I can think of.

]]> By: Earl Moore http://meanderingpassage.com/2006/04/09/al-powerbook-g4-15-hard-drive-upgrade/comment-page-2/#comment-29238 Earl Moore Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:50:00 +0000 http://skillsteps.com/wp/?p=38#comment-29238 <a href='#comment-29237' rel="nofollow">@Stuart</a> - There should be a bracket to hold the drive firmly in place. If there is not one it could be a problem as it would allow the drive to shift about. Did you buy this PB new and has it ever been opened before? @Stuart – There should be a bracket to hold the drive firmly in place. If there is not one it could be a problem as it would allow the drive to shift about. Did you buy this PB new and has it ever been opened before?

]]> By: Stuart http://meanderingpassage.com/2006/04/09/al-powerbook-g4-15-hard-drive-upgrade/comment-page-2/#comment-29237 Stuart Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:37:09 +0000 http://skillsteps.com/wp/?p=38#comment-29237 HI there, I'm in the middle of swapping out the drive on my PB 15-inch aluminium, and strangely was able to remove the original drive without the 2 screws on the bracket. In fact, there doesn't seem to be a bracket! The drive just slips in and out! Do you think this is a problem? thanks HI there, I’m in the middle of swapping out the drive on my PB 15-inch aluminium, and strangely was able to remove the original drive without the 2 screws on the bracket. In fact, there doesn’t seem to be a bracket! The drive just slips in and out! Do you think this is a problem? thanks

]]> By: matt http://meanderingpassage.com/2006/04/09/al-powerbook-g4-15-hard-drive-upgrade/comment-page-2/#comment-28115 matt Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:09:24 +0000 http://skillsteps.com/wp/?p=38#comment-28115 Just installed a Western Digital Scorpio 250GB drive (model WD2500BEVE). The drive has a strange sound every minute or two, almost like it is going to sleep and waking up. It is very annoying and a support email just came back from WD: Thank you for contacting Western Digital Customer Service and Support. I apologize for the inconvenience. This issue is caused by a system initiated power management command being interpreted incorrectly by the hard drive. The sound is normal and as of yet, we do not have a fix for it. Pretty lame considering they are the only drive manufacturer producing higher capacity 2.5" IDE drives. I confirmed with tech support over the phone and they have had numerous complaints about this issue. Looks like I will have to settle for a 160GB drive. For those who have a higher capacity WD drive installed and don't have this noise issue, I would love to know the model number. Just installed a Western Digital Scorpio 250GB drive (model WD2500BEVE). The drive has a strange sound every minute or two, almost like it is going to sleep and waking up. It is very annoying and a support email just came back from WD:

Thank you for contacting Western Digital Customer Service and Support.
I apologize for the inconvenience. This issue is caused by a system initiated power management command being interpreted incorrectly by the hard drive. The sound is normal and as of yet, we do not have a fix for it.

Pretty lame considering they are the only drive manufacturer producing higher capacity 2.5″ IDE drives. I confirmed with tech support over the phone and they have had numerous complaints about this issue. Looks like I will have to settle for a 160GB drive. For those who have a higher capacity WD drive installed and don’t have this noise issue, I would love to know the model number.

]]> By: Earl Moore http://meanderingpassage.com/2006/04/09/al-powerbook-g4-15-hard-drive-upgrade/comment-page-2/#comment-27696 Earl Moore Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:11:30 +0000 http://skillsteps.com/wp/?p=38#comment-27696 @Nick SP: I believe David answered most of your concerns (David thanks for that.) When I did my upgrade I experienced no problems with iTunes or any application. Data wise, your new drive will be a duplicate of your original drive--there will just be more free space available. @David: I also initially experienced the folder with the question mark, which indicates it's searching for the system folder. Like yours mine was found in a few seconds and all has been well. Those latches...Grrrrrrr! ;-) Note: It will soon be three years since the upgrade described in this post and the laptop is still being used daily. IMHO, going to a larger/faster drive was well worth the time, effort and expense. Thanks for the comments and feedback! @Nick SP: I believe David answered most of your concerns (David thanks for that.) When I did my upgrade I experienced no problems with iTunes or any application. Data wise, your new drive will be a duplicate of your original drive–there will just be more free space available.

@David: I also initially experienced the folder with the question mark, which indicates it’s searching for the system folder. Like yours mine was found in a few seconds and all has been well. Those latches…Grrrrrrr! ;-)

Note: It will soon be three years since the upgrade described in this post and the laptop is still being used daily. IMHO, going to a larger/faster drive was well worth the time, effort and expense.

Thanks for the comments and feedback!

]]> By: Nick SP http://meanderingpassage.com/2006/04/09/al-powerbook-g4-15-hard-drive-upgrade/comment-page-2/#comment-27695 Nick SP Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:59:35 +0000 http://skillsteps.com/wp/?p=38#comment-27695 Thanks David, most reassuring... one small follow up, "Just make sure you follow the SuperDuper instructions for choosing the proper file format." Will that be obvious..? Nick Thanks David, most reassuring… one small follow up,

“Just make sure you follow the SuperDuper instructions for choosing the proper file format.”

Will that be obvious..?
Nick

]]> By: Nick SP http://meanderingpassage.com/2006/04/09/al-powerbook-g4-15-hard-drive-upgrade/comment-page-2/#comment-27692 Nick SP Mon, 02 Feb 2009 15:43:50 +0000 http://skillsteps.com/wp/?p=38#comment-27692 Hi there, Apologies if this seems an obvious question to more experienced Mac-ites out there. .. I am planning to replace the 80gb drive in my 15" powerbook with a 250 gb Western Digital one. If I use super-duper to clone everything from my current drive into the new one (sitting in an external enclosure) is that really all I need to do before installing the replacement? And after doing the phydsical replacement is there further formatting or partioning or other technical thingies which need to be done? Does Leopard need to be reinstalled for instance..? Basically my aim is to be able to turn on my Powerbook and see exactly what I am seeing now, except it would now be a faster machine with way more memory. If there are other software steps needed other than the original superduper clone I would be really grateful of the advice. Final question - will all of my itunes library copy successfully from one to the other, bearing in mind it must have some sort of copy protection data on it. Any help appreciated... Nick p.s. brilliant site by the way - hopefully knowledge won't be too dangerous and I won't knacker my mac.... Hi there,

Apologies if this seems an obvious question to more experienced Mac-ites out there. ..

I am planning to replace the 80gb drive in my 15″ powerbook with a 250 gb Western Digital one. If I use super-duper to clone everything from my current drive into the new one (sitting in an external enclosure) is that really all I need to do before installing the replacement? And after doing the phydsical replacement is there further formatting or partioning or other technical thingies which need to be done? Does Leopard need to be reinstalled for instance..?

Basically my aim is to be able to turn on my Powerbook and see exactly what I am seeing now, except it would now be a faster machine with way more memory. If there are other software steps needed other than the original superduper clone I would be really grateful of the advice.

Final question – will all of my itunes library copy successfully from one to the other, bearing in mind it must have some sort of copy protection data on it.

Any help appreciated…

Nick
p.s. brilliant site by the way – hopefully knowledge won’t be too dangerous and I won’t knacker my mac….

]]> By: David http://meanderingpassage.com/2006/04/09/al-powerbook-g4-15-hard-drive-upgrade/comment-page-2/#comment-27574 David Fri, 23 Jan 2009 20:56:43 +0000 http://skillsteps.com/wp/?p=38#comment-27574 SUCCESS!!! But not without travail. First, about the screw. I ultimately just went at it with a drill bit until it was obliterated. The bottom end of the screw remained lodged in the hole, but I was able to slip the retaining bracket off. The retaining bracket went back on with only two screws, it seems plenty secure that way. Curse the fellow who put those screws in so tight. Anyway, I thought everything would be smooth after that episode, but far from it. When I got everything put back together I couldn't boot up. I got the gray screen, but then quickly a folder with a blinking "?". I tried to boot from two different external drives (one of them being the original internal drive) and got the same result. Eventually, I got a firmware screen with the message "invalid memory access". Crikey! I figured the best approach was to take everything apart again and look for any obvious problems. Sure enough it appeared that the hard drive cable was not fully connected. It's also possible the cable to the trackpad was properly connected (but I'm not so confident about that, and I dont' see why that would give me trouble with the boot up). So on try two I hit the power button, the screen went gray, and back came that folder with the question mark. My heart sunk. But just a few seconds later I got the good ole' reliable spinning gear and a few moments after that my system was back up and running. Big relief and quite exciting. It's nice to have 162 free gigs instead of 2. I'll report back down the road after I have a chance to evaluate. SUCCESS!!! But not without travail.

First, about the screw. I ultimately just went at it with a drill bit until it was obliterated. The bottom end of the screw remained lodged in the hole, but I was able to slip the retaining bracket off. The retaining bracket went back on with only two screws, it seems plenty secure that way. Curse the fellow who put those screws in so tight.

Anyway, I thought everything would be smooth after that episode, but far from it. When I got everything put back together I couldn’t boot up. I got the gray screen, but then quickly a folder with a blinking “?”. I tried to boot from two different external drives (one of them being the original internal drive) and got the same result. Eventually, I got a firmware screen with the message “invalid memory access”. Crikey!

I figured the best approach was to take everything apart again and look for any obvious problems. Sure enough it appeared that the hard drive cable was not fully connected. It’s also possible the cable to the trackpad was properly connected (but I’m not so confident about that, and I dont’ see why that would give me trouble with the boot up).

So on try two I hit the power button, the screen went gray, and back came that folder with the question mark. My heart sunk. But just a few seconds later I got the good ole’ reliable spinning gear and a few moments after that my system was back up and running. Big relief and quite exciting. It’s nice to have 162 free gigs instead of 2.

I’ll report back down the road after I have a chance to evaluate.

]]> By: David http://meanderingpassage.com/2006/04/09/al-powerbook-g4-15-hard-drive-upgrade/comment-page-2/#comment-27572 David Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:19:06 +0000 http://skillsteps.com/wp/?p=38#comment-27572 So close to getting there and I have hit a big problem. The three screws holding in the retaining bracket are super tight. After a while I was able to get out two of the three, but the third won't budge and I've stripped it somewhat. I've tried a variety of tactics, but no luck. Does anyone have an approach to offer me? Is there a way to get the drive out without removing the brakcet (since I've got the top two screws out, I'm able to manuever the brakcet somewhat)? So close to getting there and I have hit a big problem. The three screws holding in the retaining bracket are super tight. After a while I was able to get out two of the three, but the third won’t budge and I’ve stripped it somewhat. I’ve tried a variety of tactics, but no luck. Does anyone have an approach to offer me? Is there a way to get the drive out without removing the brakcet (since I’ve got the top two screws out, I’m able to manuever the brakcet somewhat)?

]]> By: David http://meanderingpassage.com/2006/04/09/al-powerbook-g4-15-hard-drive-upgrade/comment-page-2/#comment-27555 David Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:19:57 +0000 http://skillsteps.com/wp/?p=38#comment-27555 Disregard the last comment, I solved the problem. The drive wasn't getting enough power via USB. Luckily, the Vantec enclosure I purchased accepts power from an AC adapter. Too bad Vantec doesn't include an AD adapter but, luckily again, I had a proper adapter lying around my place. SuperDuper is doing its thing. Buying an enclosure that accepts AC power may be good advce for those who follow. Disregard the last comment, I solved the problem. The drive wasn’t getting enough power via USB. Luckily, the Vantec enclosure I purchased accepts power from an AC adapter. Too bad Vantec doesn’t include an AD adapter but, luckily again, I had a proper adapter lying around my place. SuperDuper is doing its thing. Buying an enclosure that accepts AC power may be good advce for those who follow.

]]> By: David http://meanderingpassage.com/2006/04/09/al-powerbook-g4-15-hard-drive-upgrade/comment-page-2/#comment-27552 David Thu, 22 Jan 2009 19:22:44 +0000 http://skillsteps.com/wp/?p=38#comment-27552 I am really having trouble, I hope someone can help me out. I've purchased two different WD2500BEVE drives and two different enclosures -- I can't get either drive to mount with either enclosure. When I connect, I get power but the drive doesn't connect at all, it just makes a a quiet buzzing noise every second or so. Don't know what to do differently. I'm running OS X 10.5.5. I am really having trouble, I hope someone can help me out. I’ve purchased two different WD2500BEVE drives and two different enclosures — I can’t get either drive to mount with either enclosure. When I connect, I get power but the drive doesn’t connect at all, it just makes a a quiet buzzing noise every second or so. Don’t know what to do differently. I’m running OS X 10.5.5.

]]> By: Earl Moore http://meanderingpassage.com/2006/04/09/al-powerbook-g4-15-hard-drive-upgrade/comment-page-2/#comment-27467 Earl Moore Sun, 18 Jan 2009 20:23:06 +0000 http://skillsteps.com/wp/?p=38#comment-27467 @Sami: Thanks for sharing your successful experience installing the 250 GB drive. It's comments and feedback from users like yourself that make this post truly useful! @David: Best of luck on your upgrade and let us know how it goes. @Sami: Thanks for sharing your successful experience installing the 250 GB drive. It’s comments and feedback from users like yourself that make this post truly useful!

@David: Best of luck on your upgrade and let us know how it goes.

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