Adding another HDD to my MDD G4

[dfwxjer]

I just acquired a dual 1ghz MDD G4 Powermac, and I'd like to add another HDD so that I may rip my DVD collection for use on my iPod.

It currently has an 80 gig main drive, and a 60 gig storage drive. What type of drive should I purchase for the 3rd slot? I noticed at Fry's Electronics they list Parallel and Serial ATA drives, and I'm not sure which type my new Mac accepts.

Other than that this thing is a Beast. It's loud, powerful, and I love the Dual monitor setup. :headphone

 

[johntalin]

To identify your Mac:
http://www.macupgrades.co.uk/store/help-me-find-my-mac.php#g4

http://www.lowendmac.com/macdan/05/1024.html
http://www.lowendmac.com/ppc/g4mp.html

Even if your computer has parallel cable, you can still install a serial cable hard drive, but I don't know the process.

In some Macs there is a limit to the size of the new HD you can "see". You need one of these (or similar) to be able to use the full capacity of your new hard drive larger than 128GB.

http://www.epowermac.com.au/product.asp?P_ID=218&strPageHistory=related

I hope this helps.

 

[Jeff]

According to Lowendmac, all of the MDD models have big drive support. You can get whatever size you want, you shouldn't have to worry about how big the drive is. Get whatever you can afford. As far as the Parallel and Serial goes, you want Paralell ATA. Serial ATA is a newer technology, and Apple didn't switch to Serial ATA HD's until the G5's came along.

 

[viridian]

Mac can take any brand, but ad Jeff said you want a Paralell ATA drive. But, if you can't find a good deal on a P ATA, go for an external SATA, any size, just look in the specs if its compatible with your type of firewire or usb.

 

[dfwxjer]

Thanks for the help! I found a 320 gig internal Parallel drive that looks like it will work perfectly.

 

[johntalin]

According to Lowendmac, all of the MDD models have big drive support. You can get whatever size you want, you shouldn't have to worry about how big the drive is. Get whatever you can afford. As far as the Parallel and Serial goes, you want Paralell ATA. Serial ATA is a newer technology, and Apple didn't switch to Serial ATA HD's until the G5's came along.

Thanks for the corrections.

 

[johntalin]

Note to self:

This is for people who wants to use their old Parallel ATA Hard Drive with a Serial ATA computer:

http://welovemacs.com/tpasa.html

 

[johntalin]

Serial ATA HD in a G4 PowerMac?

Could someone explain this?

Serial ATA HD in a G4 PowerMac?

http://www.macworld.com/forums/ubbt...er=286147&page=8&view=expanded&sb=4&o=&fpart=

Based on this info., I was able to install a Serial ATA HD in my G4.

 

[Jeff]

Basically, it's going to be a PCI card that gives you some Serial ATA ports. The only thing with that is, the PCI BUS is going to limit the performance of the SATA hard drive, and there will be a data "bottleneck". I think for the money, you should probably just go with an ATA hard drive; unless the PCI card isn't that expensive and you can find a really good deal on an ATA hard drive.