Hi!
I have a late 2009 IMac and it came with a Seagate ST3500418ASQ. I know that my IMac requires the thermal cable connection to display the correct temperature. What HD from seagate is available right now as a replacement for this drive? Any barracuda or something? Thank you!
iMac (21.5-inch Late 2009), Mac OS X (10.7.3)
are you sure it don't get the temperature from the normal interface called SMART like other computers?
in which case all harddisks would work
Contact OWC Tech Support. They should know.
http://blog.macsales.com/2751-proprietary-cable-can-put-the-brakes-on-upgrading- late-09-imacs
1-800-275-4576
If you're not in the US
International: 815.338.8685
Or Live Chat
http://eshop.macsales.com/tech_center/
You could also try calling Seagate Pre-Sales, 1-800-myseagate
Thank you! Rudegar! I did some research and found that if I dont replace it with a hd that has that cable my fans will start at high speed and will stay there because she can't determine the temperature. I also found that needs to be replaced woth the same manufacturer drive.
Hi wzzz!
I read that before I did the post here and the seagate drives they show there are not available. I noticed you provided me with a phone number and chat. I will try that to see if they have the actual info. I also tried seagate but they did not help me. Thank you!
For Seagate, did you get Pre-Sales, maybe a supervisor there? If you go to the regular tech support, they don't know much. OWC tech support should know.
It was by email so i assumed it was pre sales but I doubt that it was a supervisor
This was the reply
The model number you provided appears to be an OEM drive specific to Apple products, so unfortunately, we wouldn't have a replacement for this drive.
You can contact Apple to see if this Barracuda 500GB (ST500DM002) is compatible with your equipment.
If you gave Seagate the number for the installed drive, it will automatically come up as OEM. I guess they just don't want to be bothered going any deeper than that. See what OWC tech support says.
I spoke to owc and the stated that they dont have any replacement for that. They recommended to take it to an apple certified tech and have the thermal cable replaced. What can i do? There must be something? I know i read somewhere that if the replacement drive has the same last three letters it should work. I dont know.
I don't know about the last three letters. Where did you read that? I'm surprised OWC had no suggestions. I have a late 2009 21.5 iMac, but with a WD drive. It's still under AppleCare for another year, but I may find myself in the same situation at one point or another when that expires. I'm quite interested to know how you make out with this. I think what I'd do right now is get in touch with an AASP, one who might be willing to tell you about a suitable Seagate replacement -- especially if they think they'll be installing it -- and ask them about the one Seagate told you to look into.
Also, this place has cables for different drives. That way, you might be able to go with a different drive. (I'm hearing that Seagate isn't what it used to be.) Perhaps they might be able to advise you about the proper drive.
http://www.macpartsonline.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=hard+drive+temp+sensor+cab le&x=47&y=11
Look at Newegg.com for good prices on drives. Their reviews are quite useful too.
ok here is an update. I actually opened the IMac and took out the HDD. The model number on the drive is not the same as Mac OSX is reporting by one letter. The drive model reads st3500418as. I look it up on ebay and found the same drive. Its a barracuda. It has the temperature plug. I also thought that the logic board can be swapped from one to other if somwthing goes wrong. i dont really know. I ordered it from a powerseller just to have peace of mind in case something goes wrong with the HDD. Once it arrives I will update.
Thanks for the feedback. Yes, please update; I would like to know how this turns out.
I wonder what was your experience opening up the iMac? Kind of off-putting for most.
Sorry for the delay. Here is an update! Opening the IMac was easy. I purchased a sunction cup in home depot for about $8 dollars to take off the plastic cover of the screen and also bought a kit of 42 pcs in home depot for $10 that have the torx bits. To remove the screen I have to detach like 6 or so screws and you have to be careful because when you try to take out the scrreen there are flex cables that not necessarily needs to be detached but if you do you can work more easily. I replaced the HDD place the temp sensor cable. The most difficult part is that when your are going to place the screws back there is a magnet that is the one that holds the plastic cover of the screen in place. That is the reason for the sunction cup. It is a pain to put those screws back since the magnet attracts them. But I did it. When I turn it on the fan went on high. I kept looking and searching and found out that the trick is the firmware of the drive. If you dont have that firmware even if your disk has the port that cable it wont work. I also thout of changing the pcb of the drive but someone already did it and no luck because its the firmware. That AP24 is the one responsible for making the fan work. Unfortunately there is no place to download that. I tried hdd fan control app and it does work but after the one hour trial you have to purchase it and its $30. I kept looking and on a thread here https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2712496?threadID=2712496&tstart=-5&messageI D=13114329 he mentions the hdd fan control and also mentioned the apple temp sensor which is basically the same sensor but instead of connecting it to the drive it has a adhesive tape to place it on the hdd and the fan will work as it should be. I purchased it at ebay yesterday so once I installed it I will let you know but I am sure its supposed to work since that person already did it and worked fine.
HD drive
