Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Power Mac G4 Hard Drive Upgrade

What is the largest available hard drive for a Power Mac G4 with the following specifications?

Hardware Overview:

Machine Name: Power Mac G4
Machine Model: PowerMac3,6
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (2.1)
Number Of CPUs: 2
CPU Speed: 867 MHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 256 KB
L3 Cache (per CPU): 1 MB
Memory: 768 MB
Bus Speed: 133 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 4.4.6f2
Serial Number: XB2 ***MUM
Sales Order Number: M8787LL/A

Once I know the size, availability, and price of upgrading this machine, I will look into whether it's worth buying a new hard drive (or drives, since this has a slave drive and it's still inadequate!) or just buying a whole new machine! Thanks!

<Edited by Moderator>

Power Mac G4, Mac OS X (10.4.11), Hard Drive 57.26 GB, Internal Slave Drive 232.86 GB

Posted on Dec 2, 2008 10:09 PM

Best reply

Limnos

Level 10

411,223 points

Posted on Dec 2, 2008 10:51 PM

We were just talking about something similar [here|http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=8562745#8562745]. Your bootROM indicates you can use >128GB drives. I don't know what the upper limit is. I am sure there is one, and it probably depends upon OS, but for OSX it is probably something incredibly huge that you don't have to worry.

View in context

50 replies

Jan 25, 2009 11:57 AM in response to Samuel Waldo

Your Mac doesn't have built-in large drive support, but your best bet would be to get hold of a PCI SATA card (Sonnet makes them, so does OWC; check reports at http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/ ) which would enable you to use the newer, larger and faster SATA drives.

Matt

Jan 25, 2009 4:58 PM in response to Matt Clifton

Thanks,

I did exactly as you suggested. I do want to make the new drive the master. I believe that the only thing I need to do with the current drive is to move the "jumpers" (actually just one of them) to the "slave" position. I do have a 10.5.4 installation disk to load the operating system.

Sam

Feb 2, 2009 12:15 AM in response to Samuel Waldo

Okay, I decided to purchase a new CD/DVD drive and attempt to install it myself. If my computer does not self-destruct from this, I might consider buying and trying to install a larger hard drive. As always, I have a few questions:

1. The device to increase internal memory (sorry, forgot the name already--it's all so much!--) is it more or less difficult to install than a drive? How about the device to increase speed? These are two different things, right?

2. Remember, I will need an adaptor to install a new drive as my machine is fixed for the pins and the new drives are fixed for the slots. The professional who installed the previous drive said he could barely make it all fit. Will I still be able to install four drives, or even three at this rate?

3. Is converting the newest drive to the master a difficult process? Is it necessary to change the order in which the drives are connected (in other words, do I have to rip out and reconnect the two which are in there) or can they be installed however they fit and then choose an order? Does one slave drive become slave drive #1 and the other slave drive #2?

4. Will any of this (increasing internal memory or speed) have the least effect on ISP connection speed or is that entirely unrelated?

Thanks again!

Feb 2, 2009 7:45 AM in response to Cornelia Shields

1. RAM is easier to install than a drive.
A processor upgrade is a little harder than install than a drive.

4. Video playback should be smoother, and some images on web pages may load faster.

Feb 3, 2009 8:01 PM in response to Dave Hamilton

Kewl, thanks!

Power Mac G4 Hard Drive Upgrade