Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

ericwass · Jan 12, 2004, 08:58 PM

Well, after an excruciatingly drawn out, seemingly-unsolvable problem with my Quicksilver DP 1gHz, Apple has graciously seen fit to replace the whole machine with a G5 DP 1.8gHz. I'm thrilled with the upgrade but could use some advice in getting up and running when it arrives at the end of the week.

1) Memory - comes with 512mb. My Quicksilver had 1gHz so I'd like to pump it up a little. What configuration does it ship with? 2x256mb? 1x512mb? How many slots are available? 1 512mb stick at Crucial is $85 bucks but 1gb is $400. Why the enormous jump? Would I be making a mistake to do 2x512mb?

2) Drives - I've got an extra 80gb internal IDE/ATA that I need to strip from my Quicksilver and put in my G5. Is it easy to install a second drive?

3) Location - Right now I've got my Quicksilver sitting in a little computer cart that's open in front and back but closed on the top, bottom and sides. Is there anything about the cooling system on the G5 that would make enclosing it like that a bad idea?

4) Apps - Are there any apps that I must update before they'll run on a G5? I know about Photoshop, but anything else important?

Lot of questions, I know. But any thoughts at all would be appreciated. And, yes, I know... I'm a lucky sonofabitch for getting Apple to send me a G5. But, trust me, I've suffered for it. Besides, with all the money I've given that company I deserve a friggin' plaque in Cupertino!

Thanks!
Eric

willab · Jan 12, 2004, 09:15 PM

1. The Power Mac G5 requires that you instal memory in pairs. It comes with 2x256. The price difference between the 1gb sticks and the 512mb sticks is because the gig sticks have not been around long, so there are not as many and production is is still expensive (or something like that). So just buy an extra 2x512 or 2x256 whichever you want.

2. You can not put the 80 gb ATAdrive in the G5. It is only compatible with SATA. You will have to boot to firewire disk mode on the Quicksilver to transfer your files.

3. Make sure it will fit, these machines are huge. I think it should be fine as long as the front and back are open.

4. I don't think so.

You'll be very happy with this machine. I have one, so far completely stock, and it is great.

slider · Jan 12, 2004, 09:16 PM

2. I think you're out of luck with the drive, I am pretty sure the G5 drives are serial ATA and your old drive will not work. I remember seeing something about a bridge adaptor on ScreenSavers, but I don't know if that would even fit. Your best bet might be a enclousure.
3. The cooling goes from front to back, so it sounds like you're all set there.

So Apple not only sent you a super upgrade to replace your QS, but they let you keep you QS too? Or did you have another QS? I'd jump at that deal, well I guess they did right by you in the end. I can appreciate that it was no blast to go through. Well, enjoy it.

Eug Wanker · Jan 12, 2004, 09:45 PM

Score!

Anyways, are you sure you can keep the DP 1 GHz?

I'd assume they'd want the old machine back after you receive the new one. Many companies work this way. All I've ever warrantied was an AC adapter, and even for that, Apple wanted the old one back (with shipping at their expense).

Anyways, I'd go out and buy 2x512 for a total of 1.5. You'll still have a lot of slots left over for more memory if necessary.

The tech specs are on Apple's website.

Cadaver · Jan 12, 2004, 10:12 PM

Originally posted by ericwass:
4) Apps - Are there any apps that I must update before they'll run on a G5? I know about Photoshop, but anything else important?

Don't know if you're a Virtual PC user, but as is, VPC is not G5 compatible. VPC 7 is reportedly coming sometime this spring.
Photoshop will run, but PS7 will benefit from the G5 updater on the Adobe site. Photoshop CS already includes this update.
Otherwise, just make sure everything else is fully up to date. Not necessarily for the sake of the G5, but because your new machine will undoubtedly be running OS X 10.3.

Oh, as for memory - modules MUST be installed in pairs. So buy another set of 512MBers and you'll be very happy (1.5GB is nice and roomy)!

RMXO · Jan 12, 2004, 10:17 PM

why dont u get an external FW drive enclosure for your spare HDD. that way u can retrieve all your data from ur QS.

ericwass · Jan 12, 2004, 10:26 PM

Thanks for all the replies. To answer the question: Apple is not letting me keep the Quicksilver. Didn't mean to imply that. I just signed the form that says if I don't mail it back to them in 30 days they'd charge me for the G5. In any case, I don't want it. It's causing me nothing but trouble.

Big bummer about the hard drive. Guess I'll have to get ANOTHER FW enclosure. I've already got one with a 200GB WD Caviar drive in it. Any recommendations? The one I have now is a Granite Digital FireVue which despite a number of bells and whistles ain't all that great.

OreoCookie · Jan 12, 2004, 11:02 PM

1) OS X eats memory for breakfast. If you've got a G5, settle with no less than 1 gig. This is especially true if you do memory intensive things (hi-res pix, video, etc.).

2) Yes, but you either need a Serial ATA drive or a converter. For an 80 gig hd, I'd doubt if it's worth buying such an adapter.

3) No, as long as front and back are free, you should be fine.

4) None, but e. g. Photoshop and FCPro benefit from G5 plugins. (The PS is free.)

zigzag · Jan 12, 2004, 11:34 PM

I just bought an Inclose/SanMax FW enclosure from Outpost for $46. It's really slim and nice-looking - here's a photo. It has a Genesys 711 chip instead of the usual Oxford 911 but appears to perform similarly and is hard to beat for $46. Only drawbacks: (a) the finish is really nice but is easy to scratch; (b) no on-off switch (not a problem if you leave it mounted all the time).

I've also used OWC Mercury enclosures with good results.

Cadaver · Jan 13, 2004, 07:24 PM

I have one of these and I've been quite happy.

Got it from Other World Computing. Tossed in a Western Digital 120GB jumbo buffer drive; nearly as fast as my internal 160GB SATA.

ericwass · Jan 13, 2004, 08:22 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. Still not sure what to do. I'm honestly running out of space on my desk and long since run out of electrical outlets (yes, I use strips and surge protectors). Not sure I want to go with yet another box that needs plugging in. May just transfer the contents to the built in G5 drive and hold on to the 80 gigger for something down the road.

The Placid Casual · Jan 16, 2004, 05:12 AM

In the PC world SATA to ATA adaptors are freely available.

It would be well worth a look to see if they will fit in the G5.

Good luck with the new machine!

Peace.

TPC

CIA · Jan 16, 2004, 08:12 AM

It might be worth your while to sell the external firewire case you already have an buy a new dual enclosure to hold your 80GB + 200GB drives in one case. They even make 4X enclosures. Hold 2 drives and a CD-RW or whatever. Here are some examples I found on eBay, but you can buy them at most online stores as well.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=11150
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=30967 -Note! This one only works with drives less then 137GB, you need to spend $10 more for the one that can handle ATA6 Drives.... (like your 200GB drive)

If you dig around you probably can find the same thing but in a FW800 version. Might as well take advantage of the new G5's FW800 ports right?

ckohler · Jan 16, 2004, 09:17 AM

Another note:
The version of iDVD that comes in the first iLife package won't work on the G5. Use the version that the G5 comes with. I'll assume the new version of iDVD that comes with iLife '04 will work on the G5 also.

bpd115 · Jan 20, 2004, 01:16 PM

about your old drive...

in the PC World, you can add in an ATA controller card. (PCI Card, they are cheap)...I don't know if they are mac compatible but I'd assume they would be.

ericwass · Jan 20, 2004, 01:35 PM

All good ideas. Thanks. Unfortunately, Apple states that parallel to serial adapters do not work for the G5. So, that's out. As far as an ATA card - the interior of the G5 is so segmented that I can't imagine how I'd get a cable to run from the bottom to the top chamber. So, that's out. I think the only solution, unfortunately, is to throw down a couple of bills for a new SATA drive and just put the other one in storage or make a paperweight out of it or something.

Apple: elegant, beautiful, impractial.

Thanks again,
Eric

tooki · Jan 20, 2004, 09:46 PM

There are also no drive connectors for parallel ATA drives.

Never mind that Mac-compatible ATA cards cost more than a FW enclosure.

tooki

Eriamjh · Jan 21, 2004, 06:32 AM

Originally posted by ericwass:
Unfortunately, Apple states that parallel to serial adapters do not work for the G5. So, that's out.

Not entirely correct. Read it more closely. It says "not supported". That means Apple won't help you make it work. (This is common for Apple to say ahout third party anything.) I have seen reports on XLR8YourMac.com that they do work (I don't know if they actually fit). Check things there.