Swapping eMac hard drives

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Level 1

15 points

Swapping eMac hard drives

Our eMac recently gave out & I don't believe it's repairable, however I do have several files & software on it that I still use. I have been able to find a "new" eMac in working order, however the newer model is a 1.25 GHz (post April 2004) and my old one is a 1 GHz (pre April 2004). So my question is, would my old hard drive (which I believe is still good) be compatible with the newer machine if I were to swap them out? And if so, would my software still be there/usable afterwards (some of my install discs have been lost and damaged)? Thanks.

Dave Dobesh

Posted on Jan 9, 2013 9:48 AM

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Answer 1

edex67

Level 4

3,255 points

Jan 9, 2013 10:10 AM in response to David Dobesh

It should be, as long as they use the same interface (SATA).

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Answer 2

Allan Jones

Level 9

68,666 points

Jan 9, 2013 3:31 PM in response to David Dobesh

edex67,

eMacs predate SATA. They use PATA drives:

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/emac/specs/emac_1.25.html

David,

A lot of 1,25G eMacs have bad logic boards--a lot!

See if the newer unit's serial number falls into these ranges:

G8412xxxxxx- G8520xxxxxx
YM412xxxxxx - YM520xxxxxx
VM440xxxxxx - VM516xxxxxx

The program that fixed the issue expired several years ago.

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Answer 3

edex67

Level 4

3,255 points

Jan 10, 2013 12:34 AM in response to Allan Jones

Never knew that. Substitute SATA for PATA/IDE.

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Answer 4

Jan 11, 2013 6:11 PM in response to David Dobesh

The HD will fit and operate, and all of your apps will still work. However, the OS X system may not work. The gray install discs that come with each model Mac are usually unique to that model Mac. But those are relatively close, so it may work. Did you get the system install discs with the "new" eMac?

 Cheers, Tom 😉

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