[NuMystic]

Need to replace the failing 80GB internal HD that came with my G5 (non-isight model) iMac.

This will be my first time upgrading an iMac HD, and I was wondering if this drive would be a compatible replacement:

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

If it is a good fit, do I need any additional connectors or accessories since this an OEM model? Also, what do I need to do as far as formating it before installation.

I do have a friend with a new MacBook that can be connected via ethernet or firewire to help in the process. I am hoping to backup my entire drive (about 60GB) to the MacBook's 120GB drive before swapping the drives so I can do a full restoration of my current data and system. Do I need any special software to accomplish this?

Thank you so much in advance for any insights and advice you can offer!

[mduell]

Yes that drive will work. No you don't need anything extra. No you don't need to format it beforehand.

You may as well go to 500GB for an extra $30.

ifixit.com has directions if you have the 2nd or later generation G5 iMac (first gen is pretty trivial).

[NuMystic]

Thanks for the feedback and the link to the larger compatible drive.

Was reading this discussion over at the Apple Support Forums:

Apple - Support - Discussions - Replacement Internal Drive for iMac G5 ...

The G5 iMac SATA bus operates at 1.5/Gb/s. You will have to move a jumper on the drive in order to select the slower bus speed to make the drive function properly.

Is this true? And if so, where can I get instructions on exactly how that jumper cable needs to be moved?

I checked the Fixit Guide over at the site you mentioned and I didn't see any support for iMacs... just laptops and the mini.

Any other sites with clear step by step guides on iMac 17" (pre-isight) hard drive replacement?

[mduell]

Most drives and devices will manage to autonegiotate their highest compatible speed, but some drives or drive/chipset combinations have issues. It's generally not an issue you really have to worry about; just plug it in and see how it goes. If you have issues (doesn't work at all, poor performance, etc) then consider setting the drive to 1.5Gb/s. The jumpers are on the back of the drive (where the SATA port is) and will probably be labeled with which position to put it in for which setting.

Apple has the directions for your iMac.

[imitchellg5]

I actually have that same drive except in 250 Gb. It's a great drive. It's really easy to install. You can use Carbon Copy Cloner to copy your drive, it works very well.

[NuMystic]

Thanks so much mduell and mitchell for the feedback and encouragement. (especially the link to the apple pdf with installation instructions!

[NuMystic]

Just wanted to say a big thank you once again... installed the new drive yesterday and it was a breeze.

One thing worthy of note, apart from the tool list in the tutorial linked above, you need a hexagonal screwdriver to unmount the stock drive from it's bracket. ($10 for a whole kit at Radio Shack)

And just in case this is of value to other users...

A CD/DVD inserted in a MacBook started in Target disk mode will be recognized as an additional drive when connected via firewire!

Finally figured this out through trial and error. If it's common knowledge then I apologize for the annoying enthusiasm.

Basically, my internal optical drive hasn't worked for ages, and have been using an external via firewire for some time. That's fine for a clean install. But since I wanted to migrate my entire system to the new drive, didn't have an external backup drive, AND only had one firewire cable available...

1) Used a friend's MacBook in Target Disk mode to do a backup of the sytem via Time Machine.

2) Inserted the Leopard Install Disk in the MacBook optical drive.

3) Restarted the MacBook in Target Disk mode and voila! Both the install disc showed up as an available startup drive.

4) Booted via install disc and chose "Restore From Time Machine" and I now have a perfectly working identical system running on my larger drive.

Thanks again all!

[chipchen]

You might as well install a replacement superdrive in there. They run around $60 or so.. just as easy to swap as a hard drive.