[m_brand0]

Is it possible to replace my 4GB hard drive in my Pismo/400 with something a little bit bigger? I would probably prefer to have it done somewhere rather than doing it myself (I'd probably break the thing). What possibilities are there size wise for a new hard drive? Any links or information would be appreciated.

Keith

[hawksman]

By all means, get a bigger drive. I went with an IBM Travelstar 30GB model last December and it's been great! Also Installed an extra 512MB RAM at the same time. Now OS X runs great for a non G4 machine. A 30GB drive (they make larger ones as well) would probably run about $125, but labor would be extra. I installed my own and it was a snap.

[milhous]

Oh you bet! I replaced the stock 12gb hard drive in my Pismo 500 with an 40 GB IBM Travelstar drive. Take a look at this website here...

<a href="http://www.TransIntl.com/store/category.cfm?Category=20" target="_blank">http://www.TransIntl.com/store/category.cfm?Category=20</a>

I recommend the IBM Travelstar drives as I think they are the best laptop hard drives around. All the hard drives you see under the 2.5 inch drive options will all be compatible with your Mac, no questions asked.

Also, replacing the drive really isn't that hard at all and it's not like your pulling teeth.

Here's a website that shows you step by step on how to perform the upgrade yourself.

<a href="http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/PB_G3/IBM_Travelstar_32GB/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/PB_G3/IBM_Travelstar_32GB/index.html</a>

It's really not that hard, but if you really don't feel confident in yourself doing it, then better to be safe than sorry and get it done by someone else.

I'd also try this site out as well for some price comparisons

<a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/manufactory.asp?catalog=96&DEPA=1" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/app/manufactory.asp?catalog=96&DEPA=1</a>

But I still recommend that you stick with IBM, they're great.

[ddiokno]

Hey M_brand0,
Definitely not a problem upgrading your HD in your pismo. You can go all the way up to 60GB. Check out <a href="http://www.macsales.com" target="_blank">Other World Computing</a> , <a href="http://www.mcetech.com/mshd.html" target="_blank">MCE Technologies</a>. Both are great resources for Apple upgrades/support. I believe both include install kits for their hard drives (which are actually very easy to do). You can also take it to a CompUSA or other computer retailer (I'm sure they would charge you probably the standard 1 hr bench fee -- anywhere from $35 - $50). But if you did it, you could probably do it in about 20 minutes (not including backing up info and moving it over, or reinstalling).
good luck!
dave

[m_brand0]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I didn't know that hard drives were so cheap these days. It makes me wonder why I've held onto this 4GB hard drive. Okay, so maybe I'll just install the hard drive myself. I installed an airport card, it can't be that much harder, right? So, how do I get my data onto the new hard drive. I guess there isn't that much so I could just back it up to Zip. Is there another way to transfer data?

[ddiokno]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Geneva, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="1" face="Geneva, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif">Originally posted by m_brand0:
<strong>Thanks everyone for your replies. I didn't know that hard drives were so cheap these days. It makes me wonder why I've held onto this 4GB hard drive. Okay, so maybe I'll just install the hard drive myself. I installed an airport card, it can't be that much harder, right? So, how do I get my data onto the new hard drive. I guess there isn't that much so I could just back it up to Zip. Is there another way to transfer data?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="1" face="Geneva, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif">Hey m_brand0,
Very easy to install! You could also buy an external firewire case for your 4GB drive (they vary in price, with the median being around $60). Both of the companies I listed above sell them <a href="http://www.macsales.com" target="_blank">OtherWorld Computing</a> , and <a href="http://www.mcetech.com" target="_blank">MCE Technologies</a> . That way you could still continue to use your drive for back-up, or additional storage.
good luck!
dave

[NeoMac]

Just yesterday I removed my Pismo HD. Not difficult. Check the end of the Pismo manual. You will need those itsy-bitsy screw drivers though. RadioShack has these in computer kit tools.

[AppleFan]

I agree with those who have posted about replacing the hard disk on a Pismo 400. I did it after my stock 6GB began making that familiar whining noise. I followed the xlr8yourmac.com instructions and put in an IBM Travelstar 30 and have never regretted it. Six months later and the thing is as quiet as can be, silent actually. It's not hard, really. Just follow those instructions carefully.

As for backing up your hard disk first, depends on what you have. Some people were recommending to me that I get a FireWire HD to back things up, or create a FireWire enclosure for my old HD and just copy things back. Instead, I took my iPod, backed up my HD onto it and used that as my backup device. Then I put in my 30 GB HD, plugged in my iPod and brought my files back. It worked great, as long as I didn't have more than 5GB of data. On my 6GB HD, that was the case. On your 4 GB, it absolutely is the case too.

Good luck, and you won't regret it.