Cost of replacing hard drive on my powerbook G4

I bought my powerbook about 2 years ago and to be honest, have loved it a lot. Today after a coffee break, I sat to work on my PB and it was very slow...then began a host of problems which have ended with it not starting up. I have done disk utility tests which found a problem with my hard drive that it couldn't repair. I am also unable to reinstall OS. A hardware test revealed that there is an error with my hard drive. My important documents have been backed up so am not too upset about that but I don't want to spend heaps of cash getting it repaired. For those Aussies out there, would anybody know the approximate cost of replacing the hard drive? Would it be cheaper to buy the HDD myself and try to replace it myself. I could get the IT guys from where I work to replace it. And yes, my PB is out of warranty! Also, should I aim to replace this HDD with the same one thats now busted, or should I replace it with a better one. Apart from increased space, what other benefits would an upgraded HDD give me (I have a 60 GB hard drive, 1.33 GHz).

miabbate
My sentiments are very similar to Matt's, though my hard drive experiences have tended to be with either Seagate or Hitachi products. Generally I would also agree that another Toshiba drive is to be avoided.
For cache, it is always better to go for more - minimum of 8MB. As a very broad indication of what to purchase, something along the lines of 8MB, 5400RPM, 80-120GB.
Also be aware that not all drives are the same, even if their general specifications are the same. For example, Hitachi produce different versions of their 7200 RPM 100GB Travelstar - not only in Ultra ATA and Serial ATA versions, but also a version designed for extended power-on usage. Drives from different manufacturers may also have varying technologies built into them. Something else to consider is the length of warranty. Some manufacturers offer longer terms than others.
15" 1.25GHz/12" 1GHz PBs, 2xPPC Mac minis, 12" iBook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.6) Cube, 2xTAMs, iPods 2G/4G, iPs, AEBS, AX

Similar Messages

Cost Of Replacing Hard Drive On 4th Gen iPod

I just want to know the cost of replacing the hard drive on my 20 GB iPod, 4th generation. Is it worth repairing or should I just buy a new one?

apple's price is here... http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304869#faq14
search with google/whatever for "ipod repair" and you'll find a number of companies offering repair services at various prices
a new one might be a better investment

Kernel panic after replacing hard drive in Powerbook 17"

I need help with a kernel panic that won't even let me start up. Here's a detailed account of what happened:
The hard drive in my Powerbook 17" recently failed. Since it is out of warranty anyway, I decided to try to replace it myself. I found a good tutorial with photos online and was careful to rehook everything appropriately. After the replacement, I immediately installed OS 10.2 from my Apple Software Restore CD. It seemed to successfully install on the new HD.
After installing OS X, I restarted. I got the Apple logo on the grey screen but as soon as the "gear" started spinning, I got a kernel panic. I tried resetting the PRAM and the PMU but still got the panic message so I fired up Apple Hardware Test CD. Without even running the test, it gave me the message that errors were detected with my RAM upon startup. In the Hardware Profile tab, under Memory Overview, it showed:
768/1024
SODIMM0/J20STANDARD512/512
SODIMM1/J23REVERSED256/516
The last line "SODIMM1..." was red. It appeared that one of the sticks of RAM was damaged. However, when I swapped the sticks, I still got the kernel panic, but the Hardware Profile no longer listed either of the sticks in red and the full 1024/1024 MB was shown.
Does anyone have any idea why I am still getting a panic message? Could I have damaged the RAM itself or the RAM slot? (I was very careful when pulling it out.) Any help would be much appreciated. This has been a great computer for about 6 years and I hope to get another few out of it!
Peter

For anyone interested: I experimented with this a little more last night. By switching the RAM sticks, the memory problem seems to be resolved. I was still getting the kernel panic though so I put the original hard drive (which is on the verge of crashing) back in the machine and everything booted up just fine. It seems like the problem may actually be with the new hard drive. I don't need to do anything to the drive other than pop it in the machine, right?

Replacing hard drive in PowerBooks

Is it difficult or advisable to replace the hard drive in my PowerBook myself? Or do I need to bring it into a shop?
I've installed memory in desktop Macs, so I'm comfortable opening a computer. I've never opened a PowerBook, though.

Replacing the hard drive is certainly do-able, but you should be comfortable with the Powerbook innards. Here's directions that you can look over, to make the do-it-yourself or have-someone-else-do-it-for-you decision: http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/PowerBook-G4-Al-17-Inch/HD-Replacement/55/6/
If you want someone to do it for you, you can search here for the closest Apple store or Apple Authorized Service Provider: http://www.apple.com/buy/locator/service/ . Note, if you have an Apple store replace your hard drive, they will keep the replaced hard drive. If you use an AASP, you can determine before hand if you want your drive back. Some people have private data on a hard drive, and even if it's dead, would prefer not to have it permanently leave their hands.

Replaced hard drive - now I get kernel panic when I load installation disk

Hi all,
I just replaced a dead hard drive on my Powerbook G4. The Apple Hardware Test says everything is fine. When I put in the installation disk that came with my laptop (OS 10.2.3) and hold down the "C" key I just get the polite suggestion in several languages that I reboot--from surfing the boards I think this is called a Kernel Panic (?). If I don't hold down the C key the computer just crashes. It is possible that my installation disk is bad--was accidently stored in the attic for a couple of years and I only went to look for it after my hard drive died. However, the AHT disk was also stored up there and it worked just fine. I have the phone number for Apple to call about replacement disks, if no one thinks I've overlooked some other possible cause.
Thanks,
Lori

Lori:
I am glad you were able to boot from your co-worker's disk. As you noted, that isolates the issue as being a faulty install disk.
It looks like I'll be purchasing 10.4.
To install Tiger your computer will need to meet the minimum system requirements for Tiger.
You will need to purchase the Full Retail Version of Tiger. Tiger is no longer available at the Apple Store but is still available for $129 by calling Apple Phone Sales 1-800-692-7753.
You can find the Full Retail Version of Tiger, if you shop carefully, at online outlets like FastMac Retail $159; CDs $179, HardcoreMac Retail $199, CDs $249, AllMac Retail $149, CDs $179, etc. If you know what you are looking for, read all documentation carefully and ask questions of the seller, you may be able to get Tiger on eBay.
Please do post back with further questions or comments.
Cheers
cornelius

Dear all, I have a MacBook Pro bought in April 2011. Last April, it got stuck while the wheel was spinning and I had to force it shut. That cost me my hard drive. Now, it's stuck again. I tried esc, cmd tab, moving the trackpad on the apple, but no. HELP!

Dear all, I have a MacBook Pro bought in April 2011. Last April, it got stuck while the wheel was spinning and I had to force it shut. That cost me my hard drive. Now, it's stuck again. I tried esc, cmd+tab, moving the trackpad on the apple, but no. HELP!

Dear John,
thank you for your prompt reply. After I sent the email, I left the wheel spinning to see if it would eventually stop. It didn't, but after a while the screen turned blue, so I decided to switch everything off with a forced shut-down. I could not restart with the OS DVDs because I am currently away from home, but fortunately everything was more or less fine after restarting. It then got stuck again, I forced it shut again, restarted again, and now it seem to work but I won't overdo it and will switch off smoothly after writing this (unless it gets stuck again). Last April I have replaced the HD, so it's now just under 6 months old. And, of course, since the crash occurred when I was abroad and had backed up just before I left, I have lost only a few days' work. Still, and I know this will make me hugely unpopular here, with my 5 previous laptops running on MS Windows I never had a problem. Which does not mean I loved the OS, or I would not have switched to Mac.
Anyway, and this is the main reason for this message, thank you very much again for your speedy intervention.
Claudia

How do i install an external hard drive to my powerbook G4?

how do i install an external hard drive to my powerbook G4?

Buy an external FireWire drive (and FireWire cable if you don't have a spare or the drive doesn't come with one). Then, just plug it in. Not much for installing.
If you mean replacing your internal drive, that's another matter entirely.

IPod 4th Gen Click Wheel replaced hard drive; problems

Ok, So I replaced the 20gb hard drive with a new EXACT replacement hard drive, no other problems with iPod. But iTunes will not recognize it because the hard drive is not formatted. I tried formating it with Disk Utility but keep getting error messages. Im not sure what format to use. When the 4th gen came out Intel processors werent here so Im sure I need to simply format as Mac OS Extended. There is no HFS= format in Disk Utility. Im lost as to what to do. Please help??!

hmm - curiouser and curiouser
I've now managed to get it to manually update (after iTunes took 100% of system resources and I had to force quit it...) but that still doesn't really help me with the auto-sync feature which still won't work
aaaaaaggggggghhhhh

MacBook Pro does not boot past apple screen after replacing hard drive

After replacing hard drive on MacBook Pro 13 inch early 2011 model, the screen only boots to the apple logo. Do I need to re-install the OS?

The problem is that the OS is not in any where else of the MacBook Pro than in the HD / SSD. If you replace the Hard Drive, then you will need to Re-install OSX into that hard drive, it's pretty easy.
1) Power up your Macbook Pro, as fast as you can press and hold the Option key (ALT). You'll see that it opens the bootable-devices you have, you'll see a Recovery partition, click it.
(If the Hard Drive contains data do the following)
2) In the menu select Disk Utility.
3) In Disk Utility go ahead and select the Hard Drive that is inside the MBP.
4) Erase the content.
(If the Hard Drive contains no data continue with the following jumping the last 3 steps).
5) Select Re-install OSX.
6) Select the Hard Drive in which you want to install it.
Follow the steps of everything else (it should take approximately 1 hour to do the whole thing).
Hope this helps!
Later.

I went to Mac Store and had replaced hard drive because I encountered 4HDD ERROR(hard drive failure). I had backed up my old hard drive by TIME MACHINE regularly. Now how can I restore everything I had?

I went to Mac Store and had replaced hard drive because I encountered 4HDD ERROR(hard drive failure). I had backed up my old hard drive by TIME MACHINE regularly. Now how can I restore everything I had?

Thanks for your response.
I had tried COMMAND+ALT+R which led me to directly to INTERNET RECOVERY via wifi. After 1 hour or so it dropped me at the same point.
I've tried MIGRANT ASSISTANCE as well, it kept on LOOKING FOR OTHER COMPUTERS even though I clicked on TIME MACHINE BACK UP USING EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE
so what to do now?
P.S. Guys at MacStore were so careless to even listen to me when I asked them about retrieving back up :(
Please help

I have an iMac 21.5 inch purchased in 2011 with a failing 1TB Seagate hard drive. Can I get a replacement hard drive?

I have an iMac 21.5 inch purchased in 2011 with a failing 1TB Seagate hard drive. Can I get a replacement hard drive thru the Apple Replacement Program? I did purchase the Applecare Plan but it expired in Dec. 2013.

FWIW, if you purchased the iMac in 2011 and purchased Applecare, you are covered for a total of 3 years. You mentioned yours expired in December 2013 - that cannot be unless you bought yours in 2010. If you bought it in December 2011, you should still be covered until December 2014 - if so, contact Apple/make a Genius Bar appointment quickly so the replacement is covered by the warranty. The hard drive replacement program might have expired, but as long as you're covered by Applecare, a drive replacement is covered.

Can anyone help me with advice for a replacement hard drive

Hi there,
Can anyone help me with advice for a replacement hard drive and RAM upgrade for my Mac Book Pro 5,3
Its 3 years old & running Snow Leopard 10.6.8
I do a lot of audio & movie work so performance is important.
The logic board was replaced last summer & I was advised to replace the hard drive then...oops
Anyway it has limped on until now but is giving me cause for concern...
I have found a couple of possibilities below...so if anyone does have a moment to take a look & help me out I would be most grateful
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Western-Digital-Scorpio-7200rpm-Internal/dp/B004I9J5OG/r ef=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356787585&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingston-Technology-Apple-8GB-Kit/dp/B001PS9UKW/ref=pd_s im_computers_5
Kind regards
Nick

Thanks guys that is so helpful :-)
I will follow your advice Ogelthorpe & see how I get on with the job!!! Virgin territory for me so I may well shout for help once my MBP is in bits!! Is there a guide for duffers for this job anywhere??
& yes in an ideal world I would be replacing my old MBP but I'm just not in a position to do that at the moment....let's hope things pick up in 2013
All the very best
Nick

My 2010 imac does not recognise my time machine since I had the Seagate replacement hard drive. Any thought from anyone? The External hard drive is a 1 TB seagate

My iMac (2010 intel model) does not recognise or communicate with my external seagate drive as a time machine for back ups since I had the 1TB Seagate replacement hard drive as part of the replacement prgram with OSX LION 10.5.8 installed.
Is this because I need to update the time machine drive itself?

This excellent Support article may help you solve that TM problem:
http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html

Replacement hard drive not shown in Disk Utility

So I just finished installing a replacement hard drive for my PB 12". I got a Seagate 2.5" ATA Momentus 5400 etc as per my previous thread. But after firing it up from the install disk, the new volume fails to show up. Anyone else had this problem? And fixed it? Opening up the case again now...

Don't know if your problem solved. Had the same thing happen to me. Was told that new HD was bad (unlikely), Logic board was bad (disaster). Then finally was tole by another tech (OWC) that it sounded like a bad cable connection. Took it apart again and reseated both ends of HD cable a couple of times. Started up and the HD recognized by disk utility. Works great since. Hope your problem as simple as mine.

How to replace hard drive in macbook pro?

How to replace hard drive in macbook pro?

Hi S,
If you have the newer unibody style, it's very easy. If it's one of the earlier models, it's considerably more difficult. Go to Apple Menu > About This Mac > More Info > Hardware and find your Model Identifier. Then go to ifixit.com, or powerbookmedic.com or macsales.com or youtube or others and there are illustrated, detailed directions. Good luck to you and post back if you have further questions.

Cost of replacing hard drive on my powerbook G4

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for