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bigbird 07 · Sep 17, 2004, 12:47 PM

It's finally happened, my G4 DP 1.42 HD died last night.

I'm considering a Seagate 160GB ST3160021A Barracuda 7200.7 UATA100 - Bare Hard Drive, but am confused by the ultra 66 bus in the Mac and the drive (uata100). The G4 has 1 ultra bus and one ata 100. I assume I want to use the ultra. Are the connectors different

any help appreceiated

bigbird

David Lee · Sep 17, 2004, 05:56 PM

As far as I know the actual connecting cables are identical, but the two HD systems use different speeds, 100 and 66 ATA. The HD drives can use either, but of course the 100 should in theory be faster. The way you use the term "ultra" may be mistaken - at least I have never heard it used that way. A HD rated for ATA 100, or 133 as are Maxtor drives, will work fine on the ATA 66 sub-system. Be sure to use "cable select" jumper settings on the HDS IN MDD systems, not master or Slave. Any drive attached to either sub-system should be initialized (erased, or partitioned) on that sub-system. Do not attach and use a drive formatted on another machine, even if you can read the data on it after connecting it. When the machine is shipped, the ATA 66 cable is not attached to the motherboard, just folded up and ready for use, held down by a snap up/down connecter, under the ATA66 carrier case. you will have to use that cable correctly, connecting it yourself to the motherboard and HD,if you use the ATA 66 sub-system. Good luck.

bigbird 07 · Sep 17, 2004, 11:56 PM

Thanks so much for the reply, you've cleared up the muddy waters. Would you also have a recomendation in the 160gb range? The price on the Segate 160 is attractive but the Maxtor is in the ball park too. It's been so long since I've bought a hard drive (back in the old scsi days). Apple's disk utility will format 3rd party drives now won't it.

Thanks again
bigbird

nate_02 · Sep 18, 2004, 12:10 AM

The main HD in my dual 1.25 has been making some strange noises, I think it is going to die soon also. I installed a WD 120 on the ATA66 bus for backup of my main drive.

nate_02 · Sep 18, 2004, 12:16 AM

I've overall been happy with IBM's drives (Hitachi now I think). But it seems like most hard drives are good these days, so I would recommend whatever is the best price. Best Buy has gread deals on Western Digital drives sometimes.

Originally posted by bigbird 07:
Thanks so much for the reply, you've cleared up the muddy waters. Would you also have a recomendation in the 160gb range? The price on the Segate 160 is attractive but the Maxtor is in the ball park too. It's been so long since I've bought a hard drive (back in the old scsi days). Apple's disk utility will format 3rd party drives now won't it.

Thanks again
bigbird