PowerBook hard drive replacement

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Paul Nevai - 23 Apr 2007 15:31 GMT

ISSUE #1. My TI PowerBook's user guide explained how to replace the hard
drive. The 17" PowerBook's user guide doesn't; see
PowerBookG4_17in_DblLayerSuperDrive.pdf, downloadable from Apple. Any
suggestions?

ISSUE #2. What is faster for the PowerBookG4_17in_DblLayerSuperDrive? The
original 160GB 5400 RPM internal hard drive or a 7200 RPM FireWire 400
external drive? [I know it depends on the external drive, but "generally
speaking", what's the answer?]

NOTE. My PowerBookG4_17in_DblLayerSuperDrive is used as a DeskTop machine and
it never moves.

Thanks, PaulN

Reply to this Message

Xavier Llobet - 23 Apr 2007 16:11 GMT

> ISSUE #1. My TI PowerBook's user guide explained how to replace the hard
> drive. The 17" PowerBook's user guide doesn't; see
> PowerBookG4_17in_DblLayerSuperDrive.pdf, downloadable from Apple. Any
> suggestions?

It appears the replacing the hard disk on the "smaller" PowerBooks is
relatively simple (I've done it a few times), but on the 17" is fiendish.
Leave it to experts.

_x.

--
Only one "o" in my e-mail address

Reply to this Message

Xavier Llobet - 23 Apr 2007 16:12 GMT

It appears that replacing the hard disk on the "smaller" PowerBooks is
relatively simple (I've done it a few times), but on the 17" is fiendish.
Leave it to experts.

_x.

--
Only one "o" in my e-mail address

Reply to this Message

Tom Harrington - 23 Apr 2007 17:01 GMT

See <http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/> for an illustrated guide. Make sure
to read it first and decide if you really want to tackle it yourself.

> ISSUE #2. What is faster for the PowerBookG4_17in_DblLayerSuperDrive? The
> original 160GB 5400 RPM internal hard drive or a 7200 RPM FireWire 400
> external drive? [I know it depends on the external drive, but "generally
> speaking", what's the answer?]

If it's only FW 400, I'd expect the internal drive to be faster. The
7200rpm vs. 5400rpm comparison doesn't matter, since the 400Mbit FW
connection is going to be slower than the internal connection.

However that Mac should have a FW800 port-- if that's available, the
comparison is more difficult and the differences less likely to be
noticeable.

Signature

Tom "Tom" Harrington
MondoMouse makes your mouse mightier
See http://www.atomicbird.com/mondomouse/

Reply to this Message

Stephen Adams - 25 Apr 2007 17:37 GMT

>ISSUE #1. My TI PowerBook's user guide explained how to replace the hard
>drive. The 17" PowerBook's user guide doesn't; see
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>NOTE. My PowerBookG4_17in_DblLayerSuperDrive is used as a DeskTop machine and
>it never moves.

I'd send it to these guys:

http://macservice.com/

My son sent his 12" powerbook to them for a hard disk replacement. No
problems, they even recovered a lot of the data from the disk. And
it was around $200, shipping + disk + labor + diags.

-Stephen

Signature

Space Age Cybernomad Stephen Adams
malchus842SP@AMgmail.com (remove SPAM to reply)

Reply to this Message

Paul Nevai - 25 Apr 2007 19:14 GMT

In comp.sys.mac.portables Stephen Adams <adamst@no.spam> wrote:

> >ISSUE #1. My TI PowerBook's user guide explained how to replace the hard
> >drive. The 17" PowerBook's user guide doesn't; see
> >PowerBookG4_17in_DblLayerSuperDrive.pdf, downloadable from Apple. Any
> >suggestions?

> I'd send it to these guys: http://macservice.com/

Thanks but there are certified Apple dealers/fixers in town. I read about the
complexity of the operation at www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/ and I chickened out.
/PaulN

Reply to this Message

Mike Rosenberg - 25 Apr 2007 22:11 GMT

> Thanks but there are certified Apple dealers/fixers in town. I read about
> the complexity of the operation at www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/ and I
> chickened out.

I don't blame you. I've done it, successfully, but it wasn't fun and I
don't look forward to doing it again. Ironically, it's somewhat easier
in the 15" models than it is in the 17", and those don't intimidate me
at all.

Signature

<http://designsbymike.biz/macconsultshop.shtml> Mac-themed T-shirts
<http://designsbymike.biz/musings.shtml> Mostly muckraking T-shirts
<http://designsbymike.biz/prius.shtml> Prius shirts & bumper stickers
<http://cafepress.com/comedancing> Ballroom dance-themed shirts & gift

Reply to this Message

Paul Nevai - 26 Apr 2007 01:01 GMT

In comp.sys.mac.portables Mike Rosenberg <mikePOST@togroupmacconsult.com> wrote:

> > Thanks but there are certified Apple dealers/fixers in town. I read about
> > the complexity of the operation at www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/ and I
> > chickened out.

> I don't blame you. I've done it, successfully, but it wasn't fun and I
> don't look forward to doing it again. Ironically, it's somewhat easier
> in the 15" models than it is in the 17", and those don't intimidate me
> at all.

I am the OP. I did it too in my TI PowerBook. It was pretty much
straightforward, especially in retrospect. /PaulN

Reply to this Message

Mike Rosenberg - 26 Apr 2007 01:58 GMT

> I am the OP. I did it too in my TI PowerBook. It was pretty much
> straightforward, especially in retrospect. /PaulN

Oh, the TI PowerBooks are like walks in the park compared to the
Aluminum ones. Just remove the back (do they really need THAT many
screws?) and there you are.

Signature

Reply to this Message

Mac Forum / General / Hardware / April 2007

PowerBook hard drive replacement