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Krusty · Apr 7, 2003, 07:00 PM

OK, I've just ordered an 80 gb Seagate barracuda 7200.7 hard drive and a Firewire/USB 2.0 case. I plan to put the 'cuda in the case, clone my internal 20gb to it and then swap them .. putting the 80gb in my iMac DV+ and the 20gb in the case.

Here's the question: the seagate has a ATA 100 interface and, as I understand, the iMac is ATA 66. I realize that the seagate should work in the iMac just fine (although capping out at ATA 66 speeds .. which is faster than the drive anyway). BUT .. is the plug-in interface the same or will I need to get some sort of ATA 100 --> 66 adapter ?

Any other tips or gotchas before I embark on this venture ? I'll be using the instructions given Here

gracias

bradoesch · Apr 7, 2003, 09:36 PM

Originally posted by Krusty:

Here's the question: the seagate has a ATA 100 interface and, as I understand, the iMac is ATA 66. I realize that the seagate should work in the iMac just fine (although capping out at ATA 66 speeds .. which is faster than the drive anyway). BUT .. is the plug-in interface the same or will I need to get some sort of ATA 100 --> 66 adapter ?

You won't need any special cables, your's wil work fine. If you were putting the drive into a computer that was ATA 100 compliant and you wanted it to utilize ATA 100 speeds (good luck!), then you'd need a special cable.

Originally posted by Krusty:

Any other tips or gotchas before I embark on this venture ? I'll be using the instructions given Here

gracias

The only advice I have is the awful crack when you take the iMac apart is normal. It takes a good pull to get it off too. I hate the sound almost as much as an alarm clock. When it's buzzing of course.

Oh, did you consider putting your existing drive in the FireWire case first, and then setting up your new drive in the iMac? I don't know if it matters or not if the drive is formatted in the case of the iMac. I recently did this with a new drive. Probably shouldn't matter.

Krusty · Apr 7, 2003, 10:02 PM

Originally posted by bradoesch:
You won't need any special cables, your's wil work fine. If you were putting the drive into a computer that was ATA 100 compliant and you wanted it to utilize ATA 100 speeds (good luck!), then you'd need a special cable.

Thanks !! I assumed this would be the case but wanted to make sure to get any adapters before my stuff arrives. Sounds like I'll be golden when it all gets here.

The only advice I have is the awful crack when you take the iMac apart is normal. It takes a good pull to get it off too. I hate the sound almost as much as an alarm clock. When it's buzzing of course.
Oh, did you consider putting your existing drive in the FireWire case first, and then setting up your new drive in the iMac? I don't know if it matters or not if the drive is formatted in the case of the iMac. I recently did this with a new drive. Probably shouldn't matter.

Hah! I took apart my old DV several times and my current one once before .. that CRACK is hideous. I'd *swear* I've broken the tabs every time but they've always survived. I did think about just putting the 20 straight in to the firewire case first but, since I'm completely paranoid about doing this the first time, I think I'll feel better having a prepped, verified-bootable drive in the case before I even think about removing my main drive from the iMac.

Thanks again for the info. Can't wait to get a little more breathing room ... its a pain having to constantly burn stuff to CD because I'm near the limit of my drive.

bradoesch · Apr 8, 2003, 02:16 PM

Originally posted by Krusty:

Thanks again for the info. Can't wait to get a little more breathing room ... its a pain having to constantly burn stuff to CD because I'm near the limit of my drive.

You're welcome. I recently replaced my iMac's 20 GB internal drive (which itself was a replacement for it's original 10 GB) for a 120 GB WD drive. Soooo much nicer!