Cheesey1974
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: G5 Powermac Harddrive replacement

Hi all, bit of a newbie here, so please be kind

 

I have a G5 Powermac (early 7.2 version), it runs fine, but I want to boost the thing a little.

 

Current set up is 4gb RAM (which is OK)

 

I am aware of the fact that I cannot go higher than Leopard on this, which is fine. However it only has 160gb HD

 

I am on Tiger at the moment, and I have been offered a formatted 500gb HD, with Leopard already installed on it. Cheaper than buying a Leopard disc.

 

Now my question is, presuming I have backed up all my personal photos etc to external device, and I have all my software discs to hand, is it just a case of installing the new G5 harddrive, and powering up, will (or should) it just start up as a fresh machine (if that makes sense)

 

I don't mind re-installing my software, and I'll have my personal files backed up...

 

Many thanks
Adam

PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Jul 14, 2015 8:55 AM

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Cheesey1974

Q: G5 Powermac Harddrive replacement

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  • Helpful answers

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Jul 14, 2015 1:44 PM in response to Cheesey1974
    Level 10 (123,895 points)
    Jul 14, 2015 1:44 PM in response to Cheesey1974

    Hi Adam,

     

    It depends on 2 things...

     

    Is the drive SATA 1.5  Gb/s compatible?

     

    Is it a Universal or PPC install of 10.5.x? Intel install will not work.

  • by Cheesey1974,

    Cheesey1974 Cheesey1974 Jul 14, 2015 1:48 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 14, 2015 1:48 PM in response to BDAqua

    Thanks

     

    Here's a link for the listing: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151726649210

     

    This is all of the info I have (not sure if this helps:

     

    500 GB 3.5" SATA  Seagate Internal Hard Drive


    Working OSX 10.5.8 Leopard for PowerPC clean install


    Garageband, iTunes and Microsoft Office for Mac installed


    Will fit Apple iMac G5, PowerMac G5 or similar ready to use


    Approx 465 GB usable space after formatting


    Not suitable for MacMini or laptops these take 2.5" drives


    Not suitable for Intel based Macs


  • by BDAqua,Helpful

    BDAqua BDAqua Jul 14, 2015 1:56 PM in response to Cheesey1974
    Level 10 (123,895 points)
    Jul 14, 2015 1:56 PM in response to Cheesey1974

    Sounds like it'd work, though strictkly speaking illegal

  • by Cheesey1974,

    Cheesey1974 Cheesey1974 Jul 14, 2015 1:58 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 14, 2015 1:58 PM in response to BDAqua

    Thanks, so it's just a case of removing old one, and just installing new one and booting up as normal?

     

    Thanks

    Adam

  • by BDAqua,Helpful

    BDAqua BDAqua Jul 14, 2015 2:23 PM in response to Cheesey1974
    Level 10 (123,895 points)
    Jul 14, 2015 2:23 PM in response to Cheesey1974

    G5 Powermacs can hold 2 drives & boot from either, no need to remove your current drive.

     

    http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/powermac_g5_hd/

  • by Cheesey1974,

    Cheesey1974 Cheesey1974 Jul 18, 2015 2:58 AM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 18, 2015 2:58 AM in response to BDAqua

    Righto, things have change somewhat

     

    The G5 Powermac (7.2) that I own was secondhand, and came with a 'Standard' 160gb hardrive with Tiger installed.

     

    6gb RAM currently in machine.

     

    Now although the guy said he wiped all of his stuff of of it, I suspect there's loads of stuff on there that's not needed.

     

    I was lucky enough on ebay, to find a 2nd hand retail and boxed version of Mac OSX Leopard (for the bargainous price of £24!)

     

    I am also about to purchase a new 1TB hardrive (compatible, but unformatted)

     

    I want to totally remove the old 160gb hardrive, then do a fresh install of Leopard onto the new 1tb hardrive, so it's all nice and fresh and 'start again'

     

    I have no need to keep the old HD in there.

     

    Seeing that it's a retail OSX, and the harddrive is brand new... what process will I have to follow (physically fitting the HD is no problem)

     

    How to boot/format HD etc... in one go (if possible)

     

    Laymans terms peeps please

     

    Thanks
    Adam

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Jul 18, 2015 9:51 AM in response to Cheesey1974
    Level 10 (123,895 points)
    Jul 18, 2015 9:51 AM in response to Cheesey1974

    Insert the Install Disc,boot upholding c key

     

    1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc, then restart the computer while holding the C key.

    2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu at top of the screen. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)

    *Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.*

     

    Use DU to format the drive Mac OS Extended & APM Partition scheme.

     

    Then Install OSX.

  • by Cheesey1974,

    Cheesey1974 Cheesey1974 Jul 21, 2015 11:37 AM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 21, 2015 11:37 AM in response to BDAqua

    Many thanks

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Jul 21, 2015 11:56 AM in response to Cheesey1974
    Level 10 (123,895 points)
    Jul 21, 2015 11:56 AM in response to Cheesey1974

     

  • by K4071,

    K4071 K4071 Nov 20, 2015 8:27 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 20, 2015 8:27 PM in response to BDAqua

    I have 2 hard drives in my Mac Pro (Early 2009), I don't see my Original hard drive on the desk top any longer.

    When I start the computer it looks like I start up in the original hard drive. It used to show both hard drives on the desktop,

    why would the Original hard drive no longer show up?

    I am looking to upgrade this computer, do you have any suggestions on what to upgrade first?

    Thanks for your assistance.

    Kris

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Nov 20, 2015 10:21 PM in response to K4071
    Level 10 (123,895 points)
    Nov 20, 2015 10:21 PM in response to K4071

    HI,

     

    Does it show in Disk Utility?

     

    In Finder>Preferences>General, what is checked?