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Replace/Add HDD (128 GB limit ?)

I have a PowerMac G4 (AGP) with the following specs:

Machine Name: Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics)
Machine Model: PowerMac 3,1
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (2.9)
Number of CPU's: 1
CPU Speed: 450 MHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 1 MB
Memory: 1.12 GB
Bus Speed: 100 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 4.2.8f1
Serial Number: removed

ST3160023A
(Seagate Barracuda 160 GB HDD)
Capacity: 128 GB
(should be 160 GB, but I understand G4 will only
‘see’ 128 GB max, maybe I formatted it wrong, initially. I
don’t know)
Model: ST3160023A
BSD Name: disk0
Protocol: ATA
Unit number: 0
Socket Type: Internal
OS9 Drivers: Yes
S.M.A.R.T. status: Verified

Currently formatted as follows:
OS X System: 40 GB
OS 9.2.2 System: 16 GB
File Storage: 70 GB
File Storage: 2 GB (some of my old OS 9.2.2 apps won’t see storage
bigger than 2 GB)
File Storage: 130 MB (left over during partitioning, not sure how this
happened)

The HDD seems to be getting noisier and I am worried I might lose it.
My plan is to install a second hard-drive, format it and partition as HFS+ for OS X and OS 9.2.2. I am not sure of its size. It is an ATA/IDE drive, (second drive in a PC that I don’t use much). I believe that it is 80 GB, however, it could be a 160 GB or 200 GB. The PC is not here, but I will be getting it to check.

My questions here are as follows:
Is true that my G4 will only ‘see’ 128 GB? I am under the impression that there are ways to get around this with proper portioning. Is that true? If so, how do I accomplish that? I generally am in the habit of using master/slave configuration. Should I stick with that or use Cable Select (CS)?
I have Carbon Copy Cloner v2.3. Can that be used to directly clone the existing OS X 10.4.11 system to the partitioned new HDD and have it work properly?
I have no concerns transferring 9.2.2. I have done that many times, by simply copying it.
Then, can I reformat and partition the original HDD such that I will have access to all 160 GB, for example, (2) 80 GB partitions or 120 GB/40 GB, etc?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions and advice.

Dave

Message was edited by: Moderator

PowerMac G4 (AGP), Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Dec 12, 2008 11:52 AM

Reply
3 replies

Dec 12, 2008 1:06 PM in response to David Raye 1x

Your are limited to 128GB, except for the alternatives below. Partitioning won't help you avoid the 128GB limit. Use the Master/Slave jumpers on the two hard drives. You can use Disk Utility on your current OS X system to format & partition the new drive. On the new drive, be sure to check Install OS 9 drivers when you format it to HFS+(Journaled). While booted in OS X, you can use Carbon Copy Cloner to transfer your current OS 9.x /files to the new drive's OS 9 partition & your current OS X/files to the OS X partition.

Look at these links.

What Macs natively support large IDE drives? (over 128GB formatted)
http://forums.xlr8yourmac.com/action.lasso?-database=faq.fp3& layout=FaqList&-response=answer.faq.lasso&-recordID=34188&-search

How Big a Hard Drive Can I Put in My iMac, eMac, or Power Mac?
http://lowendmac.com/macdan/05/1024.html

Using 128 GB or Larger ATA Hard Drives
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2544

The Power Mac Storage FAQ
http://forums.macnn.com/65/power-mac-and-mac-pro/246391/the-power-mac-storage-fa q/

Possible Alternative - SpeedTools ATA Hi-Cap Support Driver: Allows the use of extended capacity ATA drives (drives greater than 128 Gigabytes in size) on older (Pre Mirrored Door) G4 and G3 Macintoshes running MacOS X versions 10.2 and later. Cost $24.95
http://www.speedtools2.com/ATA6.html

Possible Alternative 2 - Larger than 128GB drives can be used by adding a PCI ATA/100 or ATA/133 controller card, one which is 48-bit LBA compliant; or by adding a PCI SATA controller card and using SATA drives.

 Cheers, Tom 😉

User uploaded file

PS: Don't put you serial number in posts. A forum moderator will delete.

Replace/Add HDD (128 GB limit ?)

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