Sudden Motion Sensor

Question

Level 2

261 points

Sudden Motion Sensor

I would like to upgrade the stock hard drive on my black MacBook and was wondering what I am supposed to do with the sudden motion sensor that is currently enabled. I downloaded the hard drive replacement instructions from the Apple Support site but it makes no mention of it. Do I need to worry about this feature? Thanks, Marcus.

Power Mac G5 2.0 Dual Core w/20" Display & iSight (and Black MacBook w/1G RAM), Mac OS X (10.4.8), Airport Extreme, Airport Express, iPod video, mini, nano, original 1st Gen

Posted on Dec 7, 2006 11:35 AM

Answer 1

Dec 7, 2006 11:44 AM in response to macboyinsf

You don't have to worry about the Sudden Motion Sensor when upgrading your hard drive, with one caveat: supposedly some Western Digital hard drives have their own version of the SMS, which conflicts with Apple's. Other than that, it should be smooth sailing.

Answer 2

macboyinsf Author

Level 2

261 points

Dec 7, 2006 11:47 AM in response to Howard Chernin

Thanks, Howard. Moving forward.

Answer 3

Dec 7, 2006 3:04 PM in response to macboyinsf

Will any 3rd party hard drive have SMS when put into a MacBook? is it the HD housing that it goes into that has the SMS in it?

Answer 4

Dec 7, 2006 5:24 PM in response to macboyinsf

I think the SMS module is something that is not part of the hard drive.

Answer 5

Dec 7, 2006 6:10 PM in response to macboyinsf

The Sudden motion sensor is something built into the Macbook, and it is compatible with most 3rd part drives. When the SMS is triggered it just locks the head of the hard drive, nothing is built into the drive at all.

Answer 6

macboyinsf Author

Level 2

261 points

Dec 7, 2006 7:23 PM in response to HappyMacUser

Thanks for sharing that info. I was under the impression that it was built into most drives since Howard mentioned some Western Digitals that have a mechanism of their own which seems to conflict with Apple's.

Answer 7

Dec 7, 2006 8:43 PM in response to macboyinsf

No Problem!

Yes, like I said, most 3rd party drives will work. I am assuming that the western digitals have something build in to the actual drive- different from the macbooks, which is built into the computer. Just make sure the drive you are getting doesn't say it has a sudden motion sensor, that way, it will work with the one built into the macbook.

Answer 8

Dec 7, 2006 9:24 PM in response to macboyinsf

I've read in other forums that some WD hard drives have their own version of SMS built into the drive, and that some users were having problems with them. Personally, I recommend Seagate, because although slower than the fastest drives, they are backed by a 5 year warranty. On the other hand, you'll probably decide you want an even bigger hard drive in less time than that;-) If you want pure speed, go with a Hitachi. If you want a cheap drive, go with a Toshiba.

Answer 9

macboyinsf Author

Level 2

261 points

Dec 7, 2006 10:07 PM in response to Howard Chernin

Yeah, I'm gonna go with the Hitachi Travelstar (5400); it's fast enough for my needs. Even though Seagates have a great warranty, I've had much luck with Hitachis.

Answer 10

Dec 8, 2006 5:31 AM in response to macboyinsf

Thanks for the info everyone, Now i can buy a new HD and be confident it will still have sms!

Thanks!