[jsmith24]

Hi all,

I have an iBook (pre G4) whose video has given up the ghost. I still have a lot of files I'd like to pull from the hard drive...so is it possible to convert the iBook's hard disk to an external enclosure so that I can retrieve the files? Either USB or Firewire would be great. I have a PC workstation as well as another iBook (G4) to access the files from.

If I can use an enclosure, can anyone point me in the right direction?

The drive in question is a Toshiba MK1017GAP, ATA66 drive (ATAPI/IDE), supporting ATA-2/3/4/5.

Thanks!

Jack

[CanadaRAM]

An external 2.5" IDE drive enclosure is easily purchased. USB only for about$20, but I would go for the MacAllu USB + Firewire PHR-250CC for a little more money. You can boot a pre-intel Mac from a Firewire drive but not a USB drive.

Thanks
Trevor
CanadaRAM

[mfbernstein]

The Coolmax enclosure is pretty cheap, and gives both USB and FIrewire.

If the machine still boots at all, you can also hold down 'T' when starting up, and it will go into Firewire target disk mode. You can then hook it up to your other Mac via a Firewire cable, and it should appear as a regular disk. That'll let you get your data off with needing the external enclosure at all.

[mduell]

Lots of options, either USB2.0 only ($10-40) or USB2.0+FW400 ($25-50).
I'd recommend any one of those with a 4 or 5 'egg' rating with more than 10 reviews. Pick whichever one you like the look of.

[jsmith24]

Hi all,

Thanks for the input! I didn't realize it would be that easy.

Jack

[ibook_steve]

If it's just the video, you could, of course, boot up in Firewire target disk mode (hold t at boot) and get your files that way without having to go through the agony of removing the drive from one of those things.

Steve