Upgrading HD on G4 Powerbook?

[JEBB]

I'd like to install, or have installed, a higher capacity, maybe faster hard drive in my 1.5GHz G4 Powerbook. 'About this Mac' currently shows it has a FUJITSU MHT2080AH, which is an 80GB 5400rpm drive.

Suggestions? Take apart directions? Company names who reliably do such work? Thanks.

[onthedownlow]

Fairly easy installation...here is a guide to help: http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/PowerBoo...rive/64/7/

...you can go up to a 250GB IDE drive in there. I would recommend a 160GB (at least).

[Acer]

I've done it on a G4 12 Powerbook. Nothing dangerous, just lots of screws. Use the screw guide in the ifixit instructions. I'd imagine you are beyond AppleCare by this point, so no warranty to void.

--A--

[SteveO]

Yeah, it is pretty easy. I was in same boat, went from 80 to 160 on my PB 1.67. The guides are a tremendous help. http://www.xlr8yourmac.com is also a good place to gather a few tips...go to the page on PB hd upgrades and read some of the user reports. You'll glean some more hints and helpful advice on brands, etc. there.

What I found helpful is to get some mugs or cups out and place each set of screws in its OWN container along with a slip of paper that says where you took the screw from, or a drawing of where they go, etc. Piece of cake if you do that and no worries about losing screws, or [if you're REALLY careful] wrong screws in wrong holes.

Two caveats:

1. Don't do like I did and put one of the side screws into the external monitor cable screw hole. That screw is still there and it ain't comin' out.

2. Be very careful lifting off the top case...use a blunt plastic wedge screwdriver thing to gently ease it open from the right side to the left so you don't scratch your casing. Get a feel for the latches that hold the case on so you don't bend anything.

And gently ease it off starting from the front. so the case lifts UP in front of you just like it was the laptop lid itself. You can rest the front case on the open laptop screen; do this very slowly so you can see where the tiny plug is for the ribbon cable in case it comes undone in the process.

The rest is easy. Just make sure the ribbon cable is reseated properly and you should be in good shape.

[SteveO]

BTW, I put in a 160gb Hitachi. Had it for about a year now, runs like a champ and is very quiet. If you want to outsource it, you can try your local Mac / Apple store, or send it into a place like OWC (?) or MacResQ, etc. Google. Just make sure you send it to a Mac specialist. But it's really not difficult to do yourself. Westlake or Radio Shack or your local computer superstore will have the screwdrivers you need and that wedge thing.

I just buy the metal drill bit inserts and force them into an empty Bic pen tube. Instant torx screwdriver for about $2!

[Mr645]

I put a 100GB Seagate 7200 rpm model in my 1.33 PB and it works great. OWC has step by step, and if I remember, there are quite a few steps, but nothing too hard.

Jon