[Londo]

Hey all,
I just ordered my first PowerMac G5 (A DP 1.8) and I'm wondering a few things. I'm not new to macs, I currently own an iBook G4

a) Is it possible to put in a regular (non SATA) harddrive in addition to the SATA one it comes with? No biggy if I can't, just wondering.

b) Is it possible to put in the graphics card from my old PC (a Radeon 9700 Pro)? It's a standard AGP card, and afaik the PowerMacs slot is standard AGP?

c) If I can't do the above, is the 64mb of RAm that comes with the 5200 GeForce card enough to drive two monitors at 1280x1024 each? I won't be gaming or doing 3D graphics.

Thanks

[MORT A POTTY]

A I am unsure about as I don't own a PowerMac G5, but I am almost positive it's no

b, definitely no

c, definitely yes.

[Londo]

Originally posted by MORT A POTTY:
A I am unsure about as I don't own a PowerMac G5, but I am almost positive it's no

b, definitely no

c, definitely yes.

Thanks "MORT A POTTY" (Great name! LoL)

Just curious, why can't a PC Radeon be used? Are they different?

[MORT A POTTY]

the ROM is different.

you may be able to flash it, but that's risky and some cards can't be flashed.

[reader50]

Originally posted by Londo:
...
a) Is it possible to put in a regular (non SATA) harddrive in addition to the SATA one it comes with? No biggy if I can't, just wondering.
...

Yes, but there are some buts ...

Try putting the parallel ATA drive in place of the optical drive. The optical drive connects to a standard parallel ATA bus, but Apple supplies a cable with only one connector, and of course, only one power connector. This is useful for transferring your files, then replace the optical drive afterwards.

You might be able to replace the ATA cable with a standard two-connector cable, and use a power cable 'Y' connector. If you do this, you can place your PATA HD on top of the optical drive and connect both at once. Mind your jumper settings. If you're handy with sheet metal, you might even make a custom bracket to mount the hard drive so it doesn't move around.

This is getting messy. You can use a PATA to SATA adapter on your HD, but it isn't economic unless you have a huge PATA drive sitting around. A PCI PATA controller card would work, but those aren't free either. I'm unaware of any controller cards that have both SATA and PATA ports, so you'd be buying the PATA interface card solely for the one drive with little future use.

[Appleman]

Originally posted by Londo:
a) Is it possible to put in a regular (non SATA) harddrive in addition to the SATA one it comes with?

According to this Dutch website it is possible to put ATA disks in a PowerMac G5.

"Heeft u een ATA harddisk die u toch graag in de G5 stopt dan kan dat ook. U koopt dan een ATA naar SATA adapter. Dit is een klein printplaatje dat u achter op de ATA harddisk prikt. Het printje is klein genoeg om het geheel nog (net) in de G5 te laten passen. Wel heeft u nog een voedings-T-kabeltje nodig (van bij de PC boer)."

Translation : Do you have a ATA harddisk you would like to put in your G5, that is possible as well. You have to buy a ATA to SATA adaptor. This is a small print plate which you put at the back of your ATA harddisk. The print plate is small enough to fit om total in your G5. You do need a power cable, which you buy at a local peecee shop".

[mintcake]

Another question along the same lines. Can I cannibalise my old PC and pull out the PCI modem card to use with a powermac? It would save me the price of a couple of coffees.

I know I should tell you *which* modem but I can't remember off-hand. An old USR v.90 I think.

[Cadaver]

Originally posted by mintcake:
Another question along the same lines. Can I cannibalise my old PC and pull out the PCI modem card to use with a powermac? It would save me the price of a couple of coffees.

I know I should tell you *which* modem but I can't remember off-hand. An old USR v.90 I think.

No. While theoretically there isn't anything preventing a Mac from working with a PCI modem, there will be no drivers for the thing (and I doubt there ever will be). I'd just stick with the internal modem that comes with the machine and not delete it from an online order.

[mintcake]

OK. Cheers.