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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Mac Notebooks > Hard drive upgrade in Rev C powerbook

Hard drive upgrade in Rev C powerbook
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Snake
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Oct 5, 2004, 03:59 PM
 
Hello all,

I have a Rev C 15" Powerbook (see signature), and I was wondering how difficult it would be to replace the 60 gb drive with an 80 gb 5400 rpm drive.

1. What make and model hard drive would I need?
2. Is the install straightforward? Note that I have built a few PC's in my time
3. Will it void my warranty or Applecare?
4. Should I just stick with the 60gb and use external drives?

Thank you for the thoughts and opinions.
15" 1.33ghz Al Powerbook w/1GB RAM, 64mb ATI VRAM
60GB 7200rpm Hitachi Travelstar 7K60 HD
20GB 4G iPod w/click wheel
     
phantomac
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Oct 5, 2004, 04:08 PM
 
Get the Hitachi Travelstar 7K60 7200 RPM drive.
It'll void your warranty.
I did the exchange on the 12" Rev. C PB. It was no problem.
You'll love the speed of your new system hard drive - for large amounts of data, get an external drive.
     
Snake  (op)
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Oct 5, 2004, 04:22 PM
 
Isn't that model a 40GB drive? If not, do you have a link?
15" 1.33ghz Al Powerbook w/1GB RAM, 64mb ATI VRAM
60GB 7200rpm Hitachi Travelstar 7K60 HD
20GB 4G iPod w/click wheel
     
Saramin
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Oct 5, 2004, 04:30 PM
 
Step-by-step guide: http://www.pbfixit.com/Guide/54.8.0.html

I have the hitachi drive as well and it's great.
     
Snake  (op)
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Oct 5, 2004, 04:37 PM
 
I did some looking around and I think I found it:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...146-020&depa=0

60GB, 7200RPM Hitachi drive. Looks awesome! I have heard that 3000 rpm makes a world of difference!

Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it!
15" 1.33ghz Al Powerbook w/1GB RAM, 64mb ATI VRAM
60GB 7200rpm Hitachi Travelstar 7K60 HD
20GB 4G iPod w/click wheel
     
Snake  (op)
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Oct 5, 2004, 04:53 PM
 
Any other things I should worry about? I am really worried about electrostatic discharge frying my Mac's internals, and since I just got it about two months ago, I would hate to have to junk it.
15" 1.33ghz Al Powerbook w/1GB RAM, 64mb ATI VRAM
60GB 7200rpm Hitachi Travelstar 7K60 HD
20GB 4G iPod w/click wheel
     
phantomac
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Oct 6, 2004, 02:13 AM
 
Originally posted by Snake:
Any other things I should worry about? I am really worried about electrostatic discharge frying my Mac's internals, and since I just got it about two months ago, I would hate to have to junk it.
You might want to remove your shoes and socks and touch a radiator or water tap before you begin.
     
Snake  (op)
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Oct 7, 2004, 03:01 PM
 
Originally posted by Saramin:
Step-by-step guide: http://www.pbfixit.com/Guide/54.8.0.html

I have the hitachi drive as well and it's great.
Saramin,

I have a question about the reassembly. The little silver metal latch that much be unhooked from the top of the case, how hard is it to put back in place once I reassemble the computer?
15" 1.33ghz Al Powerbook w/1GB RAM, 64mb ATI VRAM
60GB 7200rpm Hitachi Travelstar 7K60 HD
20GB 4G iPod w/click wheel
     
Saramin
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Oct 7, 2004, 04:19 PM
 
Originally posted by Snake:
Saramin,

I have a question about the reassembly. The little silver metal latch that much be unhooked from the top of the case, how hard is it to put back in place once I reassemble the computer?
No idea, I have a different model. For what it's worth, I've had friends who've upgraded their HD without much trouble. Just make sure you use an empty icecube holder for all the screws, otherwise you'll forget what goes where.
     
iPoder
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Oct 7, 2004, 09:14 PM
 
Originally posted by Snake:
60GB, 7200RPM Hitachi drive. Looks awesome! I have heard that 3000 rpm makes a world of difference!
Did I miss something? I thought that you already have 7200 RPM HD on your Powerbook? (Your signature is incorrect?)
     
Snake  (op)
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Oct 8, 2004, 11:10 AM
 
Originally posted by iPoder:
Did I miss something? I thought that you already have 7200 RPM HD on your Powerbook? (Your signature is incorrect?)
Already ordered it and it should be here this weekend
15" 1.33ghz Al Powerbook w/1GB RAM, 64mb ATI VRAM
60GB 7200rpm Hitachi Travelstar 7K60 HD
20GB 4G iPod w/click wheel
     
iPoder
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Oct 8, 2004, 05:17 PM
 
I see. You are so eager to have it that you can't wait to put it in your signature.

Have fun.
     
Snake  (op)
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Oct 8, 2004, 06:50 PM
 
Originally posted by iPoder:
I see. You are so eager to have it that you can't wait to put it in your signature.

Have fun.
Just a little bit
15" 1.33ghz Al Powerbook w/1GB RAM, 64mb ATI VRAM
60GB 7200rpm Hitachi Travelstar 7K60 HD
20GB 4G iPod w/click wheel
     
Snake  (op)
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Oct 12, 2004, 11:29 AM
 
Well, the install is finally done.

My God this was an ordeal. The difficulty in removing the uppercase from the lower was unreal. My PB suffered some minor aesthetic damage as a result.

Then, one of the screws holding in the harddrive lock-bar got stripped. It was screwed on so unbelievably tight, I eventually had to slot the head with a dremel tool in order to remove it.

All in all, it works now. I have to take it apart again tonight to see if I can reset the upper part of the CD slot that got pushed down a bit too far.

If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't. I would seriously just spend the money and have an Apple Certified tech do it instead.
15" 1.33ghz Al Powerbook w/1GB RAM, 64mb ATI VRAM
60GB 7200rpm Hitachi Travelstar 7K60 HD
20GB 4G iPod w/click wheel
     
Snake  (op)
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Oct 12, 2004, 06:11 PM
 
Bah, I cooled down from earlier.

The drive is actually very very nice. I am so used to the clicks associated with the heads parking on the old Fujitsu drive, it is great to finally have a near-silent drive.

I want to add that other users probably didn't have the problems I had. It is a matter of luck when you get a screw that is too tight and strips. That latch above the optical drive killed me though, it was so hard to get off. A dentist hook would have been good to use, mainly because of it's strength. Paperclips are too bendable and not thin enough.

I still say that this is not an install for the faint of heart. The case metal is very soft, and WILL dent and scratch if you try to pry the seams.
15" 1.33ghz Al Powerbook w/1GB RAM, 64mb ATI VRAM
60GB 7200rpm Hitachi Travelstar 7K60 HD
20GB 4G iPod w/click wheel
     
iPoder
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Oct 12, 2004, 06:41 PM
 
Good to hear that you are happy.

With the head bamming against the wall like that and foul mouth, I am afraid that you will need to go to an emergency room.
     
Snake  (op)
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Oct 12, 2004, 06:58 PM
 
Originally posted by iPoder:
Good to hear that you are happy.

With the head bamming against the wall like that and foul mouth, I am afraid that you will need to go to an emergency room.
Heh, yeah I was pretty upset last night. I got to thinking, it's not so bad. A little elbow grease and it should be fine.
15" 1.33ghz Al Powerbook w/1GB RAM, 64mb ATI VRAM
60GB 7200rpm Hitachi Travelstar 7K60 HD
20GB 4G iPod w/click wheel
     
Snake  (op)
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Oct 14, 2004, 10:37 AM
 
One last thing I wanted to add: I was able to to correct the minor aesthetic problem I had resulting from the install. Now the only visible signs are a few nicks and dings around the CD slot. Really only noticeable if you look for it.
15" 1.33ghz Al Powerbook w/1GB RAM, 64mb ATI VRAM
60GB 7200rpm Hitachi Travelstar 7K60 HD
20GB 4G iPod w/click wheel
     
Randman
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Oct 14, 2004, 10:42 AM
 
Though if you need AppleCare, you'll have to swop the drives back out.

This is a computer-generated message and needs no signature.
     
Snake  (op)
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Oct 15, 2004, 12:24 PM
 
Originally posted by Randman:
Though if you need AppleCare, you'll have to swop the drives back out.
True, and hope they don't notice or ask about the slotted screw. My Applecare is only for a year, as I live in Florida and can't get an extended warranty.
15" 1.33ghz Al Powerbook w/1GB RAM, 64mb ATI VRAM
60GB 7200rpm Hitachi Travelstar 7K60 HD
20GB 4G iPod w/click wheel
     
SEkker
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Oct 15, 2004, 05:57 PM
 
I just swapped out my 4200 rpm 60 GB drive for a 7200 rpm drive (available again for ~$130 thru Dell Small Business, check dealmac.com).

I transferred all the data myself (put it into an external case, used CCC) and took it into an Apple certified technician at the company recommended by an Apple Store for an upgrade. I thought I'd pass along the cost, etc., for those interested.

Took two hours, cost was $40, and my Apple Care is intact (excluding the fact they are now off the hook for repairing my old HD if it fails -- it's now a backup drive). If they have to transfer the data, I think the cost was estimated to be $75.

Sounds to me like the cost for the install was money well spent!

Deleted some files, ran Diskwarrior and Disk Utility -- machine is noticably faster. An excellent upgrade.
     
ashishn
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Oct 21, 2004, 06:03 AM
 
Will upgrading hard drive voind the warranty?

I am planning to by and upgrade PB and going to India. I dont want to face a wall when my PB developes a problem and Apple refuses to repair under warranty
     
phantomac
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Oct 21, 2004, 06:15 AM
 
So you finally found a store?

Yes, replacing the harddrive by yourself will void the warranty. If you need to turn it in for warranty issues, make sure to put the old drive back in.
     
ashishn
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Oct 21, 2004, 06:24 AM
 
I am buying from PCWorld local store.

Cant wait to start life with OS X

thanks.
     
chabig
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Oct 21, 2004, 07:51 AM
 
Originally posted by Randman:
Though if you need AppleCare, you'll have to swop the drives back out.
Maybe, maybe not. I've swapped hard drives and then sent the machine in for warranty service unrelated to the hard drive. They either didn't notice, or didn't say anything. Of course, it is a risk. But if you swap it again, you also run the risk of leaving more signs of tinkering.

Chris
     
   
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