2STF/1/4

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Level 1

24 points

2STF/1/4

Hi All,
My G5 has curled up its toes. I ran the diagnostics and got a 2STF/1/4 error - Mass Storage Device issue. I imediately suspected one of the two HD's in the machine. Pulled them both and reran the test. No Errors said the diagnostics. I've tried both drives on separate sets of couplings and the machine will not start up. Sometimes Disk Util will see them, sometimes not. Surely both my HD's cant be faulty, I am suspecting the controller.. Is it as bad as I think it is???

Power Mac G5 2.0DP/2.5Gb/320GB HD/iSight/iPod MacBook 2.0, Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Jan 8, 2007 11:56 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 8, 2007 12:08 PM in response to Paul Wilkins

Paul Wilkins-

Please tell me that you have an external firewire drive from which to start?

If not, do you have another Mac. You could start up the suspect Mac and drives in Target Disk Mode and see if you could mount them that way.

Luck-

-DaddyPaycheck

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Answer 2

Paul Wilkins Author

Level 1

24 points

Jan 8, 2007 12:22 PM in response to DaddyPaycheck

Well I have full backups on an external firewire drive, however I just found out its not bootable!!

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Answer 3

Jan 8, 2007 4:37 PM in response to Paul Wilkins

Paul Wilkins-

Try booting from the OSX system install DVD and see what happens that way.

Luck-

-DaddyPaycheck

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Answer 4

Paul Wilkins Author

Level 1

24 points

Jan 8, 2007 10:05 PM in response to DaddyPaycheck

Yup, tried all that. Running disk util from my install DVD, it says the disk is in need of repair. I try and repair, but DU just hangs. Sometimes the machines doesnt start at all. I will buy a cheap SATA disk today, see if that can be read. If not, its bye bye G5!

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Answer 5

Jan 9, 2007 3:42 AM in response to Paul Wilkins

Paul Wilkins-

The ship is sinking rapidly.

I am with you in that I find it highly unlikely that both drives would fail at the same time, which obviously points to something common between them.

How about Disk Warrior-have you tried that? If not, and you are set on trying a new SATA drive do that first then, unless you already have DW.

Luck-

-DaddyPaycheck

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Answer 6

Paul Wilkins Author

Level 1

24 points

Jan 9, 2007 12:36 PM in response to DaddyPaycheck

Well, I installed a brand new SATA HD into the G5. Sadly, Diagnostics is still raising the 2STF/1/4 and Disk Util will not mount the drive. So I guess I have to consign my trusted friend to the trash. Still, I suppose I can sell the memory, the CPUs, the PSU on eBay.
Time to flex that credit card - Mr jobs, lead me to the MacPro shelf.

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Answer 7

Jan 9, 2007 2:45 PM in response to Paul Wilkins

Paul Wilkins-

And it makes an excellent cheese grater too.

You may find it has some value on ebay. Just be forthwith in the advertising.

You know you want a MacPro anyway (;>)

Luck-

-DaddyPaycheck

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Answer 8

Paul Wilkins Author

Level 1

24 points

Jan 25, 2007 4:47 AM in response to DaddyPaycheck

Well... At the point of giving up on the 'old girl' I purchased a SATA Interface Card. Hooked it up to the HD's and the beast started up! So, now I have a MacPro & a PowerMac G5 in the house.. :o)

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Answer 9

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Jan 25, 2007 4:48 AM in response to DaddyPaycheck

CONSPIRACY I SAY!!!

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Answer 10

Jan 25, 2007 5:28 AM in response to Paul Wilkins

Paul Wilkins-

No way!

Dude you rock! I need to start thinking about these units a little differently. As they start decaying over time, and Apple Care runs out, somebody is gonna have to come up with some different solutions.

For future reference, which card did you get? I am wondering if it supports the faster SATA transfer speed and if by moving a couple of jumpers on the drives you won't have some serious fast stuff going on?

-DaddyPaycheck

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Answer 11

Paul Wilkins Author

Level 1

24 points

Jan 25, 2007 9:05 AM in response to DaddyPaycheck

I bought a Sonnet Tempo 2-Port Serial ATA Adapter Card, it was the only one I could find that was 'bootable' for the type of G5 that I had (Dual Processor as apposed to Dual Core).
I've tried to route the cables around the case as the original, but its all too well put together. I have to use the existing SATA Power couplers, but thats no real bind...
So, there we go.. Anyone wanna buy a slightly used G5 with a double SATA bypass ??

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