[akeefer]

Hello all,

Recently my hard drive on my iBook has been getting all kinds of errors and it's slow and most of the time can't even install OSX. I've reformated the drive numerous, numerous times and still very slow. Just did a Hardware Check and got the 2STF/8/3:ATA-100 ata-6-Master error, which seems to be a messed up hard drive.

So, can anyone tell me what kind of hard drive I can use, and how would I install it, and is there any place that could do it for me so I don't screw it up? I had a quote from Apple for like close to $700 to check it up. Anyone? It's a 14.1" iBook 1GHz.

Thanks!
Aaron

[ghporter]

Any ATA-100 or faster notebook hard drive will work. I like TravelStar drives (Hitachi makes 'em), but they're pricey. While you're at it, think hard about getting a larger and faster drive. The ATA-100 just refers to the interface speed, while the drive's rotational speed is kind of important too. Most basic laptop drives spin at 4200RPM, but you can find them at 5400 and 7200 as well-for more and still more money. But a faster spinning drive will reduce hard-drive access times to some degree too.

[kugino]

if your ibook is still under warranty, apple should do it for free...but since they quoted you that crazy amount, i'm assuming that it's not under warranty anymore.

replacing the hard drive on the ibook is not hard, but it's a lot of work. it really only requires a screw driver and maybe a putty knife to get the plastic cover off, but there are A LOT of screws. if you're meticulous, you'll be able to do it with no problem. just keep all the screws accounted for.

i'd recommend a 5400 rpm hard drive. i installed an 80gb 5400 rpm drive in my ibook and i love it.