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elcalen

Q: 145B with apparently dead HD

Hiya,

I just spotted a Powerbook 145B at a fleamarket for next to nothing, and couldn't resist getting it. There was no disks or documentation, just the 'book and power cord. Now, I should mention that I have absolutely no experience of vintage Macs.

I wasn't very surprised that, once I'd gotten home and plugged it in, it didn't boot. It powers up, but I get the question mark disk logo. When it starts, I hear... well, absolutely nothing after the start-up sound. I suppose I should be hearing some kind of noise from the hard disk if it was trying to read it, even if there was no system installed or the system fails to load for some other reason?

Now, I managed to download and write the 7.5 Network Access Disk on a PC and, voila, it does indeed boot with it. However, there's no hard disk icon to be seen.

So, does this mean the HD is probably dead, then? Is there anything that could still be done?

MacBook (Core 2 Duo), Mac OS X (10.5)

Posted on Aug 26, 2008 8:59 AM

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Q: 145B with apparently dead HD

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  • by Jan Hedlund,

    Jan Hedlund Jan Hedlund Aug 26, 2008 10:46 AM in response to elcalen
    Level 6 (9,901 points)
    Aug 26, 2008 10:46 AM in response to elcalen
    Is there anything that could still be done?


    It may not make a difference here, but you could begin by resetting both the PRAM and the Power Manager.

    Does the PowerBook in question contain a hard drive? It may become necessary to open the computer (a set of Torx screwdrivers required; four screws in the lower part and one near the square SCSI port). However, before doing that you may want to try a disk utility, such as Apple HD SC Setup 7.3.5 (here) and/or Drive Setup 1.7.3 (here). Does the utility detect the hard drive?

    Unfortunately, you will have to have access to another older Mac (with a built-in floppy drive) in order to modify a Network Access floppy to hold either Apple HD SC Setup or Drive Setup. Do not hesitate to post back for further information.

    Jan
  • by elcalen,

    elcalen elcalen Aug 26, 2008 12:03 PM in response to Jan Hedlund
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 26, 2008 12:03 PM in response to Jan Hedlund
    Well, that answered it... I opened up the PowerBook as suggested (I thought of doing that earlier, but wasn't quite sure how to do it), and, surprise surprise, found the slot that I'd surmise at one point held a hard drive suffering from an acute lack of one. Well, that's what you get for buying a pig in a poke, so to speak.

    I'll have to keep my eye out for a replacement, or another cheap PowerBook... In the meanwhile, I don't suppose it'll be of any use without a HD? There's no software that'll function well on it with just floppies?

    Thanks for the tips anyway!
  • by Jan Hedlund,

    Jan Hedlund Jan Hedlund Aug 26, 2008 12:45 PM in response to elcalen
    Level 6 (9,901 points)
    Aug 26, 2008 12:45 PM in response to elcalen
    Hi,

    I'll have to keep my eye out for a replacement


    The hard drive used is a 2.5" SCSI model. Until a replacement has been found, you may want to insulate the connector inside the PowerBook.

    I don't suppose it'll be of any use without a HD?


    No, not much.

    There's no software that'll function well on it with just floppies?


    In principle, yes, but apart from the System Folder there is only going to be enough space for a very small program (unless you wish to be engaged in old-fashioned floppy swapping). You could link the PowerBook 145B to another older Mac by means of a standard Mac serial printer cable (MiniDIN-8M to MiniDIN-8M) between the printer ports. The Network Access floppy would let you connect (through the Chooser) to the other Mac. Files on the other Mac's hard disk would be available via File Sharing.

    BTW, if you need a manual, have a look here. The PB 145B, 145, 140 and 170 documents here could possibly be of interest too.

    Jan
  • by elcalen,

    elcalen elcalen Aug 26, 2008 12:58 PM in response to Jan Hedlund
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 26, 2008 12:58 PM in response to Jan Hedlund
    Jan Hedlund wrote:

    The hard drive used is a 2.5" SCSI model.


    So will any 2.5" SCSI drive do? I'm not terribly familiar with the types of drives out there.
  • by Jan Hedlund,

    Jan Hedlund Jan Hedlund Aug 26, 2008 2:38 PM in response to elcalen
    Level 6 (9,901 points)
    Aug 26, 2008 2:38 PM in response to elcalen
    So will any 2.5" SCSI drive do?


    Yes, providing that the dimensions are OK. The thickness can be different; the mounting bracket may have to be replaced or modified. For some details, see also the PowerBook 140 and 170 developer note (link above).

    Jan