Change Harddisk

Hello Zuse and welcome to Apple Discussions,

The type of hard drive that your iBook requires is a 2.5" IDE notebook drive, also labeled as ATA, Ultra-ATA, or Parallel ATA (PATA). You do not want a Serial ATA or SATA drive.

The largest capacity 2.5" IDE drive that you can buy fro you iBook is the Western Digital 320 GB. Here is an example, but I'm not sure about what is available in Ireland.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136345

Do you have a firewire enabled external drive? Let me know and I can give you more information about the file transfers.

Randy

I should add this iFixit link about the replacement procedure.

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/Installing-iBook-G4-14-Inch-933-MHz-1-33-GHz- Hard-Drive-Replacement/189/1

It's not that difficult if you are patient and have the recommended tools. Make sure that you select the correct iBook model. This is only an example.

Message was edited by: DesertSage

Great,

If you have everything backed up on your firewire drive, it's very easy. I'm off to work right now and will check back with you later. During the installation of the OS onto your new drive, the Migration Assistant will ask if you would like to transfer information from your old mac. The installer will think that your firewire drive is another mac. When it asks you to connect a firewire cable and restart your old mac, just connect the cable and turn on your firewire drive. You will then have choices about what you want to transfer.

You will need the install disk for this (Leopard, Tiger, etc). I highly recommend Leopard. You will also want to max out your memory with a 1 GB module if you haven't already. You'll be happy that you did.

I'll check back with you about the formatting of your new drive.

Randy

Hi Zuse,

I use SuperDuper to back up to my external drive. It makes an exact copy of the iBooks drive, adding and removing files from the previous backup as needed. I must admit that I don't use Time Machine, but I imagine that it would have the same backup option. Any other Time Machine users have thoughts on this?

Keep me posted, Zuse.

Randy

Hi Zuse,

You can read here about SuperDuper.

http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/SuperDuperDescription.html

Apple didn't build the iBooks to be user upgradable, other than the memory and Airport Card. The hard drive replacement is an involved process, but if you can follow directions, have patience and the right tools it is not all that difficult. However, I can understand why some would prefer not to go there. The most dangerous part of the procedure, is the disconnection of the two logic board connectors for the power switch and the speaker wires. Many a poor soul have pulled the sockets right off the logic board while attempting to remove the connectors. I have a pair of tweezers with tiny right angle hooks at the end for this and don't know what I'd do without that tool. I know that some people use dental hooks.

The other option would be to have an Apple approved repair facility replace the HD for you. Do you have an Apple Store close by?

Randy

Great Zuse! I'm happy for you. Good Luck!

Randy

Good news, Zuse! Apple doesn't call your iBook G4 a "vintage" machine..... yet. Just enjoy it.

Good luck!

Randy