Just upgraded my PB internal HD from 5400 to 7200

[rockitcity]

I would love to know how you guys transfered the OS and files before installation.

Well, the easiest way is to let the Migration Assistant do it for you. Since you'll probably want to have the data from your old drive available, install the original drive in a mini Firewire case. I installed Tiger on my new drive from the DVD install disk (never hurts to have a known good clean install), and after startup used the Migration Assistant to pull all my old programs and settings from the original drive. Worked great, although I did have to upgdate a few programs since I was going from OS 10.3.9 to OS 10.4. You can keep the original drive as a backup, and if it's in a firewire case, you can boot from it as well.

A highly recommended upgrade, especially since the 100 GByte Hitachis are now available.

[Timeline]

Got it a mini FW case. Didn't think of that. thanks. might consider it myself but I really need more space. I wondere how other books get 120MB?

Think we are on a tech ledge and new stuff will soon appear.

[TOD]

I wonder Blake if it would even help newer PBs. I would love to know how you guys transfered the OS and files before installation.

Sounds like you might need two laptops that can speak mini drive to do it.

Just used CarbobCopyCloner to a Firewire drive and then cloned back to the new internal. No problems.

[Timeline]

Does that get hidden and software registration files too?

[TOD]

Does that get hidden and software registration files too?

For the most part, yes.

I did have to re-authorize RMX and DP with the DP disc and serial.

[rockitcity]

I wondere [sic] how other books get 120MB?

There are 120 GByte 2.5" drives currently available, but they top out at 5400 rpm, not 7200. The largest 7200's are 100 Gigs, to my knowledge. This will probably change sooner rather than later...

[bjmorgan]

Thanks to this thread, I just installed my new Hitatchi 7200 rpm drive last night in my 12" PB G4. It's like a whole new machine! File Restoration/Transfer was made simple with Disk Utility.

One question:
Where can one pick up a decent firewire drive enclosure for my old HD and what are the recommended brands?

Behold the power of Unicornation!

[rockitcity]

Where can one pick up a decent firewire drive enclosure for my old HD and what are the recommended brands?

This one's pretty nice.

http://www.macally.com/spec/firewire/st ... 250cc.html


You can also get them from OWC
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/enclosure-kits/

or MWave.com has some too.

[Studio615]

I did my 1.67ghz g4 15" powerbook last night, I put in a 7200rpm Hitachi 80 gig. Using pbfixit.com, I had it done in 15 minutes! No lie! Boy does it scream now. Totally recomend this upgrade. Also, at newegg.com I found my drive for $155! Everywhere else it is around $250. Go grab while they got 'em.

[mikebeckmotu]

bjmorgan: I got a firewire enclosure at CompUSA for cheap, and it's been working great. I think it was their "house" brand. It takes longer to open the box than it does to assemble the drive, so it's really easy.

[Timeline]

I gotta hold out for bigger ones that go fast.

Anyone see the Seagate vertical drives? They have a laptop 120 at 7200 I think. Might be wrong though.

Looks like were in for some real hot technology soon.

[alobonzo]

Do you have better perfomance with DP? more tracks?more plugins? please let me know 'cause I'm thinking about the upgrade.... I use external Fw drive for audio.

[rockitcity]

If you have a fast external hard drive, you probably won't get much more performance from DP. Maybe if you're streaming VI's from the internal HD you might see a difference. You will have an overall dramatic increase in system performance, and that alone makes the upgrade worth the effort and expense IMO. Startup is faster, iphoto pictures snap open instead of slowly accessing. Feels like a new machine. Good bang for the buck quotient.

[Timeline]

I found this at MCE.

http://store.mcetech.com/Merchant2/merc ... TORLTHDINT

Is there a better deal out there?

[rockitcity]

Well, here's the same drive from OWC for $110 less...

http://eshop.macsales.com/Catalog_Item. ... HIT0A25015

The MCE package is pretty comprehensive, and if you don't already have the torx T8, it could save you some time. Directions included are a plus, although they are pretty easy to find from powerbookfixit.com.

Kind of depends on how much you want to pay for convenience. Just FYI, the installation is not hard if you are mechanically inclined, but it is tight quarters inside the powerbook, and there are a lot of small screws you have to deal with. I would not recommend it for someone who is not used to working inside electronic equipment, but with some patience it is do-able.