JoeBloggs

Q: iMac G5 PPC - Which External Hard Drive? USB 2.0? 3.0?

Further to this thread - https://discussions.apple.com/message/23705868#23705868 - it appears the motherboard in my 20" G5 PPC iMac is dead and I cannot easily or cost-effectively source a replacement.

 

As a consequence, I need an external hard drive onto which the repairers can mirror the iMac's hard drive. I understand that the G5 PPC is not compatible with USB 3.0, but I want to buy something which can also be used as a back-up for its replacement (probably a new iMac, although this incident has put me off somewhat).

 

What should I be looking for in a suitable external hard drive?

iMac G5

Posted on Nov 26, 2013 11:59 AM

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Q: iMac G5 PPC - Which External Hard Drive? USB 2.0? 3.0?

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  • by rccharles,Helpful

    rccharles rccharles Nov 26, 2013 2:03 PM in response to JoeBloggs
    Level 6 (8,486 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Nov 26, 2013 2:03 PM in response to JoeBloggs

    You need an external Firewire drive to boot a PowerPC Mac computer [ a few G5's will boot from USB ]. 

     

    I recommend you do a google search on any external harddrive you are looking at.

     

    I bought a low cost external drive enclosure. When I started having trouble with it, I did a google search and found a lot of complaints about the drive enclosure. I ended up buying a new drive enclosure. On my second go around, I decided to buy a drive enclosure with a good history of working with Macs. The chip set seems to be the key ingredient. The Oxford line of chips seems to be good. I got the Oxford 911.

      

    I'd give OWC a call. 1-815-338-8685.

     

    FireWire 800 + USB 3, + eSATA

    &

    save a little money interface:

    FireWire 400 + USB 2.0

    This web page lists both external harddrive types. You may need to scroll to the right to see both.

    http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/1394/USB/EliteAL/eSATA_FW800_FW400_USB

     

     

         (2) FireWire 800/400 Ports (Up to 100MB/s / 50MB/s)

         (1) USB 3.0 Port (Up to 500MB/s / 60MB/s)

         (1) eSATA Port (Up to 300MB/s)

    Has a combo firewire 800/400 port.  Not sure what this is.  Looks like you will  need 400 cable.

    http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ministack

  • by JoeBloggs,

    JoeBloggs JoeBloggs Nov 26, 2013 2:13 PM in response to rccharles
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 26, 2013 2:13 PM in response to rccharles

    I'm not looking to try to boot from the external drive, just use it to copy my data from the dead machine and then get it onto a new one.

     

    I want to buy an external drive which I can also use as back-up storage with a new machine (possibly a current iMac).

     

    The dead machine is running 10.4.11 and has USB 2.0 and FireWire 400 ports if it's relevant.

  • by Allan Eckert,

    Allan Eckert Allan Eckert Nov 26, 2013 2:16 PM in response to JoeBloggs
    Level 9 (53,581 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 26, 2013 2:16 PM in response to JoeBloggs

    So as rccharles suggested get an external Firewire drive.

  • by JoeBloggs,

    JoeBloggs JoeBloggs Nov 26, 2013 2:42 PM in response to Allan Eckert
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 26, 2013 2:42 PM in response to Allan Eckert

    Thank you, so I'll ignore USB and go with something compatible with FireWire 400.

     

    Will everything suitable for FireWire 400 also be suitable to use with a current iMac, or do I need to look for something more specific?

  • by Allan Eckert,

    Allan Eckert Allan Eckert Nov 26, 2013 2:49 PM in response to JoeBloggs
    Level 9 (53,581 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 26, 2013 2:49 PM in response to JoeBloggs

    It will with the appropriate adapters

     

    Allan

  • by JoeBloggs,

    JoeBloggs JoeBloggs Nov 26, 2013 3:13 PM in response to Allan Eckert
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 26, 2013 3:13 PM in response to Allan Eckert

    It seems that new iMacs have Thunderbolt instead of FireWire ports, so perhaps looking for a hard drive that supports FireWire isn't really worthwhile.

     

    Presumably a USB 3.0 drive will be backwards-compatible with my USB 2.0 G5, albeit only able to transfer data at USB 2.0 speeds?

  • by Allan Eckert,

    Allan Eckert Allan Eckert Nov 26, 2013 3:15 PM in response to JoeBloggs
    Level 9 (53,581 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 26, 2013 3:15 PM in response to JoeBloggs

    There are Thunderbolt to Firewire adspters

     

    Allan

  • by Allan Eckert,

    Allan Eckert Allan Eckert Nov 26, 2013 3:34 PM in response to JoeBloggs
    Level 9 (53,581 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 26, 2013 3:34 PM in response to JoeBloggs

    Some additional comments on USB 3 you might find interesting.

     


    "Personally, I find USB3 is a real pain.


    It interferes with WiFi, is highly dependent on the quality of the cables you are using, and can be screwed by wireless mouse, etc etc.


    I have as yet to find ANY USB3 hub that is reliable for external hard disks. I can only plug them directly into the back of my iMac 27" late 2012 for good speed.


    USB3 is a real loser."

     

    Allan

  • by JoeBloggs,

    JoeBloggs JoeBloggs Nov 26, 2013 3:40 PM in response to Allan Eckert
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 26, 2013 3:40 PM in response to Allan Eckert

    Thank you Allan - you will note that I'm a novice at this.

     

    It does appear that USB 3.0 external drives are avaialble for a lot less than those which also have FireWire/Thunderbolt (in the UK at least).

  • by Allan Eckert,

    Allan Eckert Allan Eckert Nov 26, 2013 3:52 PM in response to JoeBloggs
    Level 9 (53,581 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 26, 2013 3:52 PM in response to JoeBloggs

    Personally I use Firewire because it was design for use with disks.

     

    USB on the other hand was design for keyboards and mice. Later it was mangled to work with disks.

     

    I also dislike the tremendous amount of CPU it uses whereas FW use near none.

     

    Cost for me is a secondary concern.

     

    Allan

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Nov 26, 2013 5:33 PM in response to JoeBloggs
    Level 6 (8,486 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Nov 26, 2013 5:33 PM in response to JoeBloggs

    iMac is dead

    As a consequence, I need an external hard drive onto which the repairers can mirror the iMac's hard drive.

     

    I was a little confused about your post. I assumed you were going to repair your G5 since you later wrote about repairers.

     

    If you have a dead iMac,  maybe your plan is to have someone take out the old hd and have someone copy the data to a new hd. 

     

    What most people do is take out the old hd and place it into a temperary enclosure so they can copy the data to a new machine.

     

    Extract the harddrive.  Attach the 'bare' harddrive to the adapter. Attach the adapter to a Mac.  Try reading the data. Run a household fan on the harddrive.

     

    examples:

    http://www.cablewholesale.com/products/usb-firewire


    http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=32765 54&CatId=3770

  • by JoeBloggs,

    JoeBloggs JoeBloggs Nov 27, 2013 10:22 AM in response to rccharles
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 27, 2013 10:22 AM in response to rccharles

    Thanks. I'm going to buy an external hard drive to mirror the iMac hard drive, transfer it to a new machine and then use the drive as an external back-up.

     

    I'll look for FireWire/Thunderbolt as recommended above.