How To Upgrade/Add 3.5" PATA Disks In An Apple Power Mac G3/G4

Article ID = 60
Article Title = How To Upgrade/Add 3.5" PATA Disks In An Apple Power Mac G3/G4
Article Author(s) = Graham Needham (BH)
Article Created On = 15th November 2011
Article Last Updated = 17th August 2016
Article URL = https://www.macstrategy.com/article.php?60

Article Brief Description:
Instructions for upgrading or adding internal 3.5" PATA disks in a Power Macintosh G3 / G4

Upgrading Or Adding Internal Hard Disk(s) To Your Power Macintosh G3/G4

List of computers that can be upgraded with rating for how easy it is to upgrade
Step by step instructions for upgrading your disk
Using your old disk in an external case
3.5" PATA disks
External 3.5" PATA disk cases
External 3.5" PATA docks

Computers That Can Be Upgraded

Easy Upgrades

All Power Macintosh G3 (Blue & White) models Apple's hard disk upgrade instructions

NOTE

"U" Bracket

All early Power Macintosh G4 models Apple's hard disk upgrade instructions

NOTE

All later Power Macintosh G4 "Mirrored Door" models Apple's Customer-installable parts (CIP) instructions
Apple's ATA Hard Drive CIP instructions

NOTE

Hard Upgrades

Very Hard Upgrades

How to identify your:

Power Macintosh G4

Step By Step Instructions For Upgrading Your Disk

Backup or clone your boot disk
de-authorise/deactivate any software/services
Make sure you have plenty of time and space to perform the upgrade - use a clean, flat surface (a towel can be useful to prevent scratching/movement)

NOTE: A good tip is to use an ice cube tray for tracking screws that you may have to remove.

Prepare your tools and unpack your new disk
Upgrade the disk in your computer as per the individual instructions for the computer that you have
Boot your computer from your Mac OS X install disc or external installation device
Erase install Mac OS X to the new disk, restore from your Time Machine backup/backup clone or migrate from your old drive in an external case

Using Your Old Disk In An External Case

Obtain an external 3.5" PATA disk case or dock
Install your old hard disk in the external case or connect it to the dock
Erase install Mac OS X on your new boot disk
At the account setup stage create an account with user name and password "setup"
Go Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > Migration Assistant
Connect the external case/dock with your old disk in it to your computer
In the Migration Assistant follow the on screen instructions and at the Migration Method stage select "From a Time Machine backup or other disk"
Transfer your user account(s), applications and system settings as required
Wait for the migration to complete

NOTE: Be patient as the migration could take a long time especially if your old disk was large and/or you are using a USB connection.

Once the migration has been completed logout (Apple menu > logout) and login with your usual user account.
Test everything is working okay on your new boot disk and in your usual user account
Now make a new up-to-date backup or clone your new boot disk
Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > System > Accounts > select the "setup" account on the left > click the "-" button to delete the account and choose the "Delete the home folder"
If you are going to reuse the old disk format/partition it as required
If you are going to sell the old disk or give it to someone else securely erase it first

3.5" PATA disks

Western Digital Caviar Blue

Western Digital Caviar Blue 160GB (part code = WD1600AAJB) Buy it now at
Western Digital Caviar Blue 250GB (part code = WD2500AAJB) Buy it now at
Western Digital Caviar Blue 320GB (part code = WD3200AAJB) Buy it now at
Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB (part code = WD5000AAJB)

NOTE: PATA hard drives bigger than 128GB require computers/hardware that support 48 bit LBA - see also www.48bitlba.com.

NOTE: Special information on using drives that are larger than 2TB.

Authorised/Activated Software and/or Services

Apple software and related services
Adobe Creative Suite/Creative Cloud and other products/services
Microsoft Office 2011/2016/2019/365 for Mac but not Office 2004 or 2008
Microsoft Windows and other products/services
QuarkXPress
Enfocus Pitstop Pro
Mathworks MATLAB and Simulink Student Version
Unity Technologies Unity 3D
OnOne Software Perfect Photo Suite and other products

NOTE: If you know of any other Macintosh software that requires activation please contact us.

Article Keywords: install new replace replacement add upgrade upgrading PowerMac PowerMacintosh Power Mac Macintosh G3 G4 hard disk drive HDD 3.5" PATA ATA IDE upgrade hard disk upgrade hard drive

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How To Upgrade/Add 3.5" PATA Disks In An Apple Power Mac G3/G4

Upgrading Or Adding Internal Hard Disk(s) To Your Power Macintosh G3/G4

Computers That Can Be Upgraded

Easy Upgrades

Hard Upgrades

Very Hard Upgrades

Step By Step Instructions For Upgrading Your Disk

Using Your Old Disk In An External Case

3.5" PATA disks

External 3.5" PATA disk cases

External 3.5" PATA docks

Universal 2.5"/3.5" PATA/SATA Drive Docks and Connectors

Authorised/Activated Software and/or Services