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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Mac Desktops > Adding internal drive to B&W G3

Adding internal drive to B&W G3
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sweet1
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May 27, 2002, 01:23 AM
 
I've just been perusing the manual for my G3 because I want to add a larger internal drive to my 6 GB model. I'm a little unsure whether I have an SCSI drive or Ultra ATA HD. Apple system profiler says Internal ATA 1 HD 6 GB Quantum. That sounds like SCSI but I don't know. I suppose I could open case and look where the drive is located and if it's in Drive 3 position it might be ATA but could also be SCSI. Also, is it better to switch out 6 GB drive or leave it in place and add another SCSI drive? Will this be as fast as using a 7200rpm external firewire drive?
     
rambo47
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May 27, 2002, 09:04 AM
 
For some of the best info on upgrading the B&W PowerMac, head over to <a href="http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/" target="_blank">XLR8 Your Mac</a>. They have a section just for the B&W with tips and tutorials, lots of pictures (great for people like me!) and a forum setcion.

The first thing to determine is if you have the rev.1 or rev.2 B&W. XLR8 makes it easy to tell with comparison pics <a href="http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/G3-ZONE/yosemite/newfeatures.html" target="_blank">HERE.</a>

If you have the rev.1 model there are issues of data corruption with certain hard drives used as second drives. Messy business. The rev.2 was improved to eliminate this. If you have the Stacked rev.2 Vertical Hard Drive Bracket the second drive will mount right above the first in a cool mounting sled (aformentioned bracket). You can create your own mounting system with erector set parts (like I did until I found the bracket).

My B&W (rev.2) now has several modifications, including a total of 3 hard drives. I addet the third with the help of a <a href="http://www.sonnettech.com/product/tempo_ata100.html" target="_blank">Sonnet Tempo ATA/100 PCI</a> controller card. They sell a cheaper ATA/66 card as well, but is a tad slower. Either of these will eliminate the data corruption issue on a rev.1 machine. These cards simply plug into an empty PCI slot and provide connections for up to 4 additional drives. I don't recommend going over 3 drives due to power supply limitations. And it's simply easier to buy larger drives up to 120 GB. I bought the ATA card long ago simply to use the additional drives I had lying around. At first I had a total of 36 GB storage on three drives. Then I bought larger and faster drives giving me a total of 120 GB. I use one drive for OS 9, one for OS X, and the third for backup via <a href="http://www.dantz.com/index.php3?SCREEN=reb_mac" target="_blank">Retrospect Express. </a>

<small>[ 05-27-2002, 09:08 AM: Message edited by: rambo47 ]</small>
     
Franck
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May 27, 2002, 09:56 AM
 
I've installed a Western Digital 100GB drive on my BW G3 (rev2), it works like a charm.
     
sweet1  (op)
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May 29, 2002, 01:30 AM
 
Thanks for the links. Lots of info to digest. I'm going to figure out whether my G3 is rev 1 or 2. I guess I haven't paid much attention to this issue, thought it was only issue for iMac. I have a lot of homework to do.
     
sweet1  (op)
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Jun 3, 2002, 08:55 PM
 
Okay, thanks again for the links to accelerate your mac. GReat resource. Was easily able to identify that I have a rev 1 G3 (purchased in 2/99). So with all the confusion about data corruption with second drive, I decided I should buy the Sonnet card for $99. Once I add the Seagate Barracuda 80GB drive for $129.95, I might just as well buy the EZ Quest Cobra 80GB fire wire external drive for $229 instead. I'm not terribly comfortable installing the internal drive as it involves some disassembly (instructions were okay but I was a little concerned about the way the cable passes the door hinge) and I'm not great with all the terminology. I'm kind of disappointed because it takes the convenience out of having this tower with the easy access door. I've installed memory only. Anyone have any pros/cons regarding either way?

The local apple store said they would install a 60 GB Western Digital drive in it for $175 plus a cable for $20 and bracket for $25. That way the drives could be stacked. Isn't this part of the data corruption problem on this machine? Or, he agreed, I could go the other route and buy a card and use the SCSI slot on the sled for the ATA drive. Still, gonna run higher than an external or the stacking way. What would you do?
     
lordshaq
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Jun 4, 2002, 07:20 AM
 
Hello, I've got the same exact configuration, and its basically just a matter of popping in the ATA controller card into one of the PCI slots, most of the cables provided with the ATA cards are plenty long. Which makes it easy to plug in your new HD without having to struggle with short cables.

Other World Computing carries the VST UltraTek ATA/66 Card for 47.99. Here is a direct link:

<a href="http://eshop.macsales.com/Catalog_Item.cfm?ID=2909&Item=VSTATARAID" target="_blank">http://eshop.macsales.com/Catalog_Item.cfm?ID=2909&Item=VSTATARAID</a>

-R
     
jguidroz
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Jun 4, 2002, 02:03 PM
 
I've been running two hard drives in my rev.1 B/W for at least two years now, most likely longer though. I have had absolutely no problems with it. I put in a Maxtor 20GB 7200rpm drive as master and left the original as slave. Works like a charm. Of course, my firewire ports don't and most likely never worked, so I guess it was a trade off.
B&W G3/300 OS X 10.3 Server
AL G4/1.5 OS X 10.3
Next computer G5/3.X Ghz OS X 10.x.x
     
sweet1  (op)
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Jun 4, 2002, 02:11 PM
 
Thanks for link to VST Ultratek which will handily save me $50, plus a download solution to OS X. Now, to decide if I really want to install HD myself. Your answer definitely gives me confidence. Trying to decide today for delivery tomorrow. Will let you know how it turns out.
     
SkiBikeSki
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Jun 6, 2002, 01:17 AM
 
I've been running two HD's in my QuickSilver with no problems at all.

Search the PowerMac forums, cause new HD's in Yosemite cases has been discussed recently, and in one of them I wrote out some good installation instructions.

Edit: Ooooo! 666 posts! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

<small>[ 06-06-2002, 01:19 AM: Message edited by: SkiBikeSki ]</small>
-- SBS --
     
sweet1  (op)
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Jun 8, 2002, 06:02 PM
 
Thank you...Thank you...Thank you. Thanks Rambo47 and lordshaq for teaching me where to search and how to install a new HD in my rev. 1 Yosemite. You lead me in the right direction and I learned a lot more about my computer in the process. I used the VST Ultratek ATA/66 card, as the price was so reasonable, and Seagate 80GB ATA IV. I divided it into two partitions using Apple's Drive Setup and extended format. The installation was fairly easy except the sled removal, which was easy, once I figured out how the tabs fit in. The scary moment was waiting for the screen to come up happy You guys are way
     
   
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