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Power Mac G4 MDD Hard Drives Replacement

What you need

  1. Power Mac G4 MDD Hard Drives Replacement, Case: step 1, image 1 of 2 Power Mac G4 MDD Hard Drives Replacement, Case: step 1, image 2 of 2
    • The Power Mac G4 MDD: the last, and the fastest G4-based Mac. This computer boasted up to a Dual 1.42GHz PowerPC G4 CPU (though I have a single 1.25GHz).

    • Two USB 1.1 Ports

    • Assorted Audio

    • Video (ADC & DVI)

    • Networking (RJ-45 Ethernet/56k Modem)

    • Some later model MDD's (such as the dual 1.42GHz) Have a FireWire 800 Port Here:

  2. Power Mac G4 MDD Hard Drives Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 3 Power Mac G4 MDD Hard Drives Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 3 Power Mac G4 MDD Hard Drives Replacement: step 2, image 3 of 3
    • Unplug the computer.

    • Unplug the power supply and all external connections from the computer.

    • Pull on the side lever and lower the side of the case.

  3. Power Mac G4 MDD Hard Drives Replacement, Hard Drives: step 3, image 1 of 1
    • The hard drive cages are located here.

  4. Power Mac G4 MDD Hard Drives Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 3 Power Mac G4 MDD Hard Drives Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 3 Power Mac G4 MDD Hard Drives Replacement: step 4, image 3 of 3
    • Cage 1

    • Start by removing this screw.

    • Remove the ATA-66/ IDE ribbon cable from the motherboard.

  5. Power Mac G4 MDD Hard Drives Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 Power Mac G4 MDD Hard Drives Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 2
    • Now, remove the power connection from the drives.

  6. Power Mac G4 MDD Hard Drives Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 3 Power Mac G4 MDD Hard Drives Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 3 Power Mac G4 MDD Hard Drives Replacement: step 6, image 3 of 3
    • Push this tab down, and pull the cage toward you.

    • Now, you can set cage 1 aside.

  7. Power Mac G4 MDD Hard Drives Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 2 Power Mac G4 MDD Hard Drives Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 2
    • Cage 2:

    • Remove this Phillips screw:

    • Disconnect this IDE ribbon cable from the logic board.

  8. Power Mac G4 MDD Hard Drives Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 Power Mac G4 MDD Hard Drives Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2
    • It's likely that there is a cable clip holding the ribbon cable to the case.

    • To remove it, push the end, and it should pop up.

  9. Power Mac G4 MDD Hard Drives Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 3 Power Mac G4 MDD Hard Drives Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 3 Power Mac G4 MDD Hard Drives Replacement: step 9, image 3 of 3
    • With the ribbon cable clip free, pull this tab towards you, slide the cage up until it hits the platform under the power supply, and pull it away.

    • Now, set the cage on top of the CPU, and remove the power connectors.

  10. Power Mac G4 MDD Hard Drives Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 2 Power Mac G4 MDD Hard Drives Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 2
    • Once the cables are free, set the drive cage aside.

    • To remove the hard drives from the cages, remove the four screws on the sides of the cage that are connected to the drives, then slide the drives out.

    • The two cages are cross compatible and can be put in either location.

    • The MDD does not have a 128GB drive limit like older Macs. My MDD has 3 drives (a 400GB Hitatchi Deskstar, 40GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.7, and a 30GB Quantum Fireball LCT).

    • Note the ID jumpers on the two drive set. One is set to Master, the other to slave. A single drive can be set to Cable Select.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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Chris Green

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