Power Mac 5500 hard disk woes...

I had a PM 5500 but with a faulty HD. I decided to swap in an 800 MB Quantum Trailblazer from a Performa 5200 I had laying around and was met with some success. However I wanted something a little bigger for my purposes so I found a 40 GB Western Digital Caviar and another 4GB Quantum Fireball SE from an older G3 I have. Here are where my problems start..
To format these, I have been using an external firewire drive enclosure so that I can do it from my Powerbook. So I try formatting and installing Mac OS 9.1 onto the 40 GB and no go. I try again with the 4 GB and still nothing.
This is what happens...
I boot up the 5500 with one of the other HDs in, and it gives me the floppy question mark error. It spins up, there's a delay before the question marks appears, then the HD sounds like it resets itself and the question mark is shown again. I've checked jumper positions and they are all on master. Just to see if it would help I tried other jumper positions but the computer obviously didn't like that so I was greeted with a black screen.
My question is.. What makes the 800 MB so special that it is allowed to boot, while the other two are victim to a continuous spin up, reset, spin up,
reset cycle. These two drives are both functional, and when I boot into the Mac OS 9 install they are recognized.
It is also important to note that I have tried to copy over the 8.6 system folder that resides on the working HD and copy them over to the other HDs, still met with no success. Also, this 5500 may be living in another chassis. I don't remember exactly but I do remember transplanting mobos from all-in-ones like the 5500 and the 5200 with their respective drives and outer plastics. Not sure if that would change anything.
I think I'm missing something and any help is greatly appreciated... Thanks.
Powermac 5500   Mac OS 9.1.x   Not sure.. But I believe this 5500 lives in another chassis.. I might have swapped it some time ago.

If you format a drive in a firewire case, it might not get the drivers installed that it needs to work internally. Also, if I read your post correctly, you installed OS9 from your PB while the drive was in teh FW box. This is also a problem as the installers often install things that are needed by the computer hte installer is running on.
Is there some reason why you can't boot the 5500 from the OS9 installer and format and install the OS in the 5500? That's your best chance of success.

Similar Messages

  • I'm not able to copy and paste files from my mac to hard disk and usb. I have tried dragging the items to those devices but it won't work. I also have tried copying and pasting those files onto those devices but that doesn't work too. Can any one help?

    I'm not able to copy and paste files from my mac to hard disk and usb. I have tried dragging the items I want to copy to those devices but it won't work. I also have tried copying and pasting those files onto those devices too but that doesn't work too. Can any one help?

    Hi BobRz
    Thanks for you suggestion but it didn't work - are there other ways for solving this problem? Or is it because my files that I want to copy and paste onto my hard disk etc are too big? (However there is space on my hard disk and it works on a PC)

  • Replaced Mac SE Hard Disk - I'm going crazy!

    My old Mac SE hard disk kicked it so I bought a 2gb IBM SCSI drive. The problem I have is that Apple HD SC Setup on the 6.0.8 Startup Disk won't recognize non-Apple drives. I found a web site that led to a link to a modified version of Apple HD SC Setup version 7.3.5 and put that on a floppy. I booted my Mac SE with the 6.0.8 disk and then when the desktop came up, I ejected the disk and inserted the disk with Apple HD SC Setup 7.3.5. 7.3.5 sees the SCSI drive and the Test went fine but it won't let me initialize the drive. I am assuming this is because I'm using Apple HD SC Setup 7.3.5 with the old 6.0.8 System disk.
    How do I initialize my drive? Is there a Mac OS 7.3.5 boot disk out there somewhere?

    I'll post my own answer here. I found software called Lido 7 and it formatted my drive perfectly. http://www.euronet.nl/users/ernstoud/pub/lido756.hqx
    PowerMac G5 Dual 2ghz    

  • My first edition macbook has power and the hard disk runs yet screen is black. Somebody suggest the next thing POWER CAPS LOCK OPTION COMMAND what is this and how can I repair my laptop?

    My first edition macbook has power and the hard disk runs yet screen is black. Somebody suggest the next thing POWER+CAPS LOCK+OPTION+COMMAND what is this and how can I repair my laptop?

    Take it in for service.

  • Power mac 5500/250 image control

    We have a power mac 5500/225 being used in a classroom, the display image is fuzzy. I can not find a deguass or any other control that will sharpen the image. Any help?

    The MiniDIN-8 to two-pin cable is called out by part number in the service manual, along with the procedure. I must have extracted it from that manual at some point, since I had this file hanging around:
    On-Screen Video
    Before you begin,
    • Turn off virtual memory
    • Turn off the power
    • Remove the I/O door
    • Remove the rear housing
    • Discharge the CRT
    • Remove the anode cap
    • Disconnect the microphone cable
    • Remove the rear EMI shield
    • Remove the modem card (if present)
    *Warning: This product contains high voltage and a high-vacuum picture tube. To prevent serious injury, review CRT safety in Bulletins/Safety.
    *Warning: Never use an antistatic wriststrap until after discharging the CRT.
    Note: The 5500 is made with Rev. B parts.
    1 Remove the three Phillips screws that secure the analog board to the chassis.
    2 Tilt the analog board back, being careful not to put stress on the cables.
    3 Locate jumper P805 (Rev. A) or P102 (Rev. B) near the logic board connector on the lower left corner of the analog board.
    4 Remove the shunt that covers the pins of jumper P805 (Rev. A) or P102 (Rev. B).
    5 Note: It is very important to perform this step correctly according to the Rev. A or Rev. B instructions
    • The square silkscreened marking at P805 (Rev. A only) indicates pin 1 on the analog board. For Rev. A, connect one end of the monitor adjustment cable (922-1513) to P805. Be sure to position the connector so the pin 1 opening is aligned over pin 1 (square marking) on the analog board.
    • For Rev. B, connect one end of the monitor adjustment cable (922-1513) to P102. The arrow mark on the plug connector (see graphic) must go over the pin closer to the top of the analog board. Hold the connector with gold connectors facing you, and place the connector on the two pins at P102.
    Important: The adjustment won’t work if the plug is incorrectly placed on the pins.
    6 Connect the other end of the monitor adjustment cable (922-1513) to the modem port.
    Note: You must use the modem port. Remove the internal modem and plastic modem port cover, if present.
    7 Route the monitor adjustment cable so it stays clear of sharp edges and remains slack.
    8 Reconnect the grounding screw to the EMI shield.
    9 *Warning: Be sure to remove the antistatic wriststrap before replacing the anode cap. Replace the anode cap.
    10 Position the monitor so you can see the screen.
    11 Turn on the power.
    12 Run Display Service Utility to display the on-screen video adjustment controls. The controls appear after selecting PowerPC 5200/5300/5400/5500 in the pattern selection box and then select adjust geometry.
    13 Use the scroll bars to adjust the horizontal and vertical controls.
    14 To cancel settings (and revert to the last saved setting) click Cancel.
    Size
    Position
    Pincushion
    Trapezoid
    Size
    Position
    Vertical Controls Horizontal Controls
    Display Service Utility
    Resolution screen
    1 of 5
    15 To save your settings (in the monitor’s selected resolution) click Save.
    16 Important: After you click Save or Cancel, the name of the next screen resolution appears at the top of the screen. You must set and save the on-screen video adjustments for each remaining screen resolution. Otherwise, if you change from a saved resolution to an unsaved resolution, the display will appear misadjusted. Set and save the settings for each screen resolution. After saving the last screen resolution, exit Display Service Utility.
    Message was edited by: Grant Bennet-Alder

  • When apple id identify an MacBook air on find my mac use hard disk or motherboard?

    when apple id identify an MacBook air on find my mac use hard disk or motherboard?

    Will use the system serial number as long as the system has not had the operating system reinstalled so the reporting function is no longer tied to the AppleID.

  • Power on and hard disk password issue with rescue and recovery ?

    I have set a power on and hard disk password to prevent any unauthorized user to boot the computer and thats works fine but the problem is that it can be bypassed very easily by pressing the THINKVANTAGE blue button and going through the initial screen of the rescovery process.
    When you reach the main screen of the recovery process just press on "restart system" and on the next boot up you won't be asked for a password and it will boot into Windows. Is there any way to prevent a user to initiate a rescue and recovery to bypass the password or even better a patch that will trigger the password screen as soon as the blue THINKVANTAGE button is pressed ?

    I just recently discovered this problem as well.
    I'm hoping someone can help us with this.

  • Power Mac G4 hard drive a goner?

    Hello,
    My Power Mac G4 "died" last Sunday. Initially, the it wouldn't start up at all. So, after reading some suggestions on the net (I have a Mac Book pro), I changed the battery.
    It booted but the question mark folder came on. I couldn't even open the CD tray. Further reading had me use the command-option-F-O during start up and I finally got the install CD in.
    I booted via the CD but when I went to utilities, my hard drive was nowhere to be found! It just showed the DVD drive and a USB flash drive that I had.
    I called the local Mac service shop and he said that it would take from $50-1000 to diagnose and perhaps fix the problem.
    Can I salvage my hard disk? Or is it a goner?
    Thanks guys.

    To start with, anyone who would give you such a ridiculous ballpark figure of $50-$1,000 to diagnose/repair a G4 with an AWOL hard drive has lost touch with reality. Depending on which model G4 that you have, its market value may be substantially less than the upper figure quoted. The fact that the hard drive isn't detected on the bus, would likely indicate that it has an electronic and/or mechanical problem. If either is the case, none of the software solutions ("DiskWarrior" or "Data Rescue") will work, because they require a mechanically-functioning hard drive. You can check the data ribbon cable for abrasions in the insulation that may have caused a short, but that's probably a long shot. You should also check that the power connection is plugged securely into the back of the drive, even though it's typically such a tight fit, that it rarely comes loose. The possibility of unexpected hard drive failure is the primary reason for routinely backing up the data, so you only need to worry about buying/installing a replacement. Professional data recovery companies can retrieve data from the most severely damaged hard drives, but the cost is quite expensive for the home computer user. If you don't have files on the hard drive that you need to retrieve, I'd suggest replacing it with a new one. If you post back with the G4 model/processor speed that you have, a compatible replacement can be recommended.

  • Upgrade Power Mac G5 Hard Drive: But New Drive Doesn't show up??

    Hello,
    I have a Power Mac G5 1.8 (circa 2003).  I bought it in 2003 and it has travelled all over the world with me. I love it.  It has been the best and most reliable computer I ever owned; and I'm trying to keep it humming along as long as possible.
    I am currently running Leopard (OS 10.5.8).
    I have 2.5 GB of Ram (I upgraded 2 GB a few years back)
    I have currently run out of room on my Hard Drive 160GB - the original one that came with the computer.
    I purchased a Seagate Barracuda 2TB Hard Drive (Seagate ST2000DL003) to replace the 160GB one.
    However, when I tried to replace the drive - it wouldn't show up on my computer.  I could see it appear on screen when I looked at Disk Utility but not in the window that allows you to select a drive? - and continue the installation process?  did I buy the wrong kind of drive?
    I'm 100% sure I'm doing something wrong.  I just have no clue what it is?
    Could someone please help; or point me in the right direction?
    I'm not a computer whizz; nonetheless I'm not affraid to dabble in DIY.
    Many Thanks
    foginwater

    Hi foginwater, just asking since you don't specify, did you use Disk Utility to Format it for Mac yet?
    How to format your disks...
    http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/partitioning_tiger.html
    Thanks to Pondini, Formatting,  Partitioning, Verifying,  and  Repairing  Disks...
    http://web.me.com/pondini/AppleTips/DU.html
    And if you would like to just have everything on the old drive transferd to the new ine...
    Get carbon copy cloner to make an exact copy of your old HD to the New one...
    http://www.bombich.com/software/ccc.html
    Or SuperDuper...
    http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/
    Then you can hold the Option/alt key down at bootup to choose the HD to boot from when completed.

  • Power Mac G5 Hard Drive Dead?

    So the other day I tried to format my internal hard drive using my leopard server install disk that I bought for my power mac but I got the error Resource Busy. Then I used my Tiger install disk to format the drive and got the error Input/Output error. I ended up putting the hard drive into a PC I had and used it to format it to FAT. After that I put the hard drive back in my Power Mac G5 and it showed up as FAT and I formatted it to Mac OS Extended (Journaled). I took a 250GB drive I found and also stuck it into the G5. Formatted it into Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and tried RAIDing them together using a Concatenated Disk Set so I could get the full usage of my 250GB and my 1TB drives. The raid failed with a error I can't remember. Now the 1 TB drive won't show up at all. The PC says it is a unknown device and needs drivers. What do I do. I have tried everything I know. Do I need to buy a new drive (why couldn't it be the 250 GB drive )

    That drive series has had a bunch of issues.
    Fixing a Seagate 7200.11 Hard Drive
    The Solution for Seagate 7200.11 HDDs - MSFN Forum
    Firmware Check - Support - Seagate
    Seagate fixes 7200.11 drives--except when it doesn't | Crave - CNET
    Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 drives failing- The Inquirer

  • Mac mini hard disk keep crashing

    The hard disk of my Mac mini has been replaced twice during the one year warranty period. It crashed again  recently and I was unable to reformat or reinstalled the OS as suggested in the  manual. I worry if my Mac mini was not due to hard disk problem alone as Apple products can not be that unreliable where by you need to change hard disk every coypu pole of months. And now the warranty period is over and wonder how Apple can help me in this matter.

    Question mark  icon flashes when I boot up the Mac mini. When halfway copying file under the recovery method suggest in the manual, error appeared and can cannot continue copying the file. In some of the trials, HD no longer seen by the Mac. I am quite new to the Mac, and not sure which SMART error you are referring to.  I may try to approach regional service centre in Singapore. Thanks for your info.

  • Mac died, hard disk data recoverable - does this include Desktop files?

    Hi there,
    My G5 died (well, it fell victim to my ex's violent outrage - logic board dead), anyway... I have had my hard disk made up so I can mount it / access it on my new mac. But will this include the files that were saved on my Desktop?
    Thanks in advance,
    Bree

    The desktop is just a graphical representation of a folder inside your User's home folder. Naturally, the folder is named "Desktop." For those that work in a cluttered environment and have a hard time finding files or folders on their desktop, you can see the contents of the desktop in alpha/numeric list view by going to the desktop folder (Users->[your user name]->Desktop).
    -DH

  • Importing into mac from hard disk - impossible to maintain order

    ok, have several music lists - 7, each for the day of the week, and import them into Itunes.
    In preferences, I have under advanced unchecked  
    - keep iTunes media folder organized
    - copy files to iTunes Media Folder when adding to library
    so everything stays on the external hard disk.
    now, all songs are marked
    in monday:   m0001   m0002
    on tuesday   tu0001   tu0002
    etc.
    no problem at all for monday, tuesday - thursday, friday, saturday and sunday.
    on wednesday - a complete mix up with some songs that have nothing to do with the list.
    there are even songs there that are NOT on the original list!
    I have deleted everything from iTunes, loaded again and .... same problem
    importing I do by dragging the mp3 files (songs) from a hard disk into iTunes
    again, all days work perfectly BUT wednesday.

    strangely enough, the number of songs (342) is exactly the same in the original list and on the iTunes list

  • How can I transfer my pictures in Ipad or Mac to hard disk?

    trying to upload the 26 GB pictures to hard disk,appreciate your support there

    See here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4083

  • Bit locker drive encryption failed due to power failer and hard disk corrupted

    I ran Bitlocker drive ecryption drive D. My pc is windows 7 ultimate, while it was in progress of 1% due to power failer the encryption failed, when power resume the drive didn't showed the file format nor the size but it shows the size in disk management.
    It showed like this in My computer
    I do Have the recovery code password and back of recovery password so I ran the "manage-bde-_unlock D:-rp[my code ]
    and my pc got hang  no other option rather than to press the restart button. 
    then I used commang "repair-bde -force D:I:-rp[my rp] and following info showed but it stucked in 1% about 8 hours, and there was no increase in the pecentage
    I also connected the hardisk to mac but all othe partation showed but didn't showed the encrypted one.
    I had lots of memorable picture and other backups so any one kindly help me to get out of this problem. Thanks for help

    Hi,
    The BitLocker encryption and decryption processes can be interrupted by turning the computer off, and it will resume where it left off the next time Windows starts. This is true even if the power is suddenly unavailable.
    Bitlocker-repair (repair-bde)  tool
    can't repair a drive that failed during the encryption or decryption process.
    In addition, could you please explain a bit for what drive you are trying to deal with? external one?
    When you first restart your PC, have you seen any signs that indicate that the encryption is in process?
    Regarding your scenario, please take a look to see if the following articles could help here:
    Scenario 11: Recovering Data Protected by BitLocker Drive Encryption (Windows 7)
    Besides, when running manage-bde command, did we followed the steps mentioned in the below article?
    Scenario 14: Using a Data Recovery Agent to Recover BitLocker-Protected Drives (Windows 7)
    Best regards
    Michael Shao
    TechNet Community Support

Maybe you are looking for