what external hard drives are bootable

Question

what external hard drives are bootable

i have a powerbook, and the hard drive has failed completely. its the 2nd time its happened and i don't want to have to open the powerbook again (is out of warranty before any says)
i have a usb external drive, but the installation cd for 10.3 states that "you cannot start your computer from this volume"

then what external volumes can you start your computer from???

any firewire drive?
id like to make sure rather than find out the hard way.

powerbook, Mac OS X (10.3), g4 1.25 512mb.

Posted on Aug 13, 2006 7:29 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,023 points

Aug 13, 2006 9:36 PM in response to Charles Heesom

You can boot any PowerPC Mac that has Firewire built-in from an external Firewire drive. Currently only Intel Macs can boot from a USB 2.0 external drive. I recommend that whatever external drive you get that the enclosure use an Oxford chipset - 911 if FW400 or 922/924 if FW800. Of course your computer must support FW800 in order to use a FW800 external drive.

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Answer 2

donny

Level 6

10,409 points

Aug 14, 2006 4:45 AM in response to Charles Heesom

A great place to get drive from is macsales.com. I have one myself. The prices are very reasonable, and the service is great.

I agree with Kappy, it has to be a firewire drive.

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Answer 3

Aug 14, 2006 5:47 AM in response to Kappy

so i could get this

http://www.westerndigital.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=215&language=en

and i can boot from it and install os x on it.

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Answer 4

donny

Level 6

10,409 points

Aug 14, 2006 12:36 PM in response to Charles Heesom

That should work. However, when I was looking for an external drive I was warned to stay clear of western digital due to problems others have ahd.

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Answer 5

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

Aug 14, 2006 1:10 PM in response to Charles Heesom

As already pointed out, pre-Intel Macs only support booting from a Firewire connected enclosure. The problem with the Oxford chip set drives is they are becoming a bit rare as many enclosure manufacturers are moving to combo chip sets (ones that support both USB2 and Firewire connection). But these combo drives usually still work fine for booting.
If you want to save money, make your own external drive by purchasing a Firewire or Combo external enclosure then purchase an ATA drive to throw into it. Then you can buy whatever size and brand of drive you want. It will probably be nearly half the cost of the one you pointed out.
For example, here is a Combo enclosure I bought that is only $32 shipped...
http://www.supergooddeal.com/CintreInfinity_ME_740U2F_Aluminium_3_5_USB_2_0p/me-740u2f.htm
It is bootable which I tested by cloning my internal eMac drive to the drive I put in this enclosure using Carbon Copy Cloner. I then booted the Mac off the external and it worked fine.
As to drives to put into it, Fry's Outpost.com often has decent drive deals. Right now I see that have a Seagate 400GB for $110 shipped. I see a Hitachi 250GB for $60 after rebate and no shipping. So with the above enclosure you can have a 400GB external for only $142 shipped and no rebates to worry about. Or you can have 250GB for only $92 although you have to deal with a rebate. $122 if you don't do the rebate.
Putting them together is stupid easy. Plug two cables into the drive, four screws to secure the drive to the tray. Slide cover over the assembly and a couple more screws to close it up. So a Philips screwdriver and 5 minutes and you are ready to go.
Patrick

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Answer 6

Aug 14, 2006 5:59 PM in response to PT

hey thanks that really help but i'm looking for a quicker fix than looking into getting an enclosure and separate drive, i'm in the uk and have a very tight budget, and time is also a factor.
i found that WD drive for around £100 shipped i found a lacie one a while ago (250gb) for the same price but can't find it again.

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Answer 7

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

Aug 14, 2006 8:27 PM in response to Charles Heesom

Well if you want a complete drive out of the box, then by all means, go for it. But I wouldn't use time as an excuse since buying two items vs. one really takes no longer and as I said the assembly is literally about 5 minutes. Some people are not comfortable with putting one together, but if you are, you can save a decent chunk of money.
Good luck,
Patrick

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