need to replace the failed Seagate hard drive.
@Jon Ridley
I have a late 2009 27" iMac and need to replace the failed Seagate hard drive. I just skimmed through the web page you linked to and, if I understood correctly, the following is the suggested solution for my case:
you wrote:
"This is what led me to the discovery of an external thermal sensor cable that works with these two generations of iMacs. This cable is used on the LCD panel of the 27” 2009 and 2010 models, but has the same connector as the hard drive sensor cable and operates in the same range as the SMART disk does, so functions as a great alternative in these generations of 21.5” and 27” 09/10 machines. This allows one to replace the internal hard drive with any industry standard drive without any sensor problems. The part number is 593-1029. "
(http://www.thebookyard.com/advanced_sear...)
I'm already dreading the tedious process of replacing the drive and I want to do whatever possible to avoid any additional headaches. I don't have time for hard drive returns and repeated installations...
- Would it be safe to say that I can use this cable, along with iFixit's instructions, to safely replace my drive with "any" standard drive?
- How can I determine what drives are compatible, given that iFixit's linked article on this topic is over 2 years old? What brand/models would you recommend in a 1.5TB or 2TB capacity (with reliability as my main priority)?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Is this a good question?
3 Comments
I'd start a new question on this as it is so old. Also the link you gave is for the LCD temperature cable and it's overpriced.
by mayer
Starting a new thread would risk going back to square one on this question, when this existing thread conveniently summarizes the history of the issue in one location.
If you'd read Jon's post, you'd realize that the link for he LCD cable is actually correct, since he tested it and discovered it had the same spec and could be used as a substitute that would support any modern drive regardless of manufacturer. Of course, I am curious to get more information before I plunk down $50 on a cable, but your comment is neither relevant nor helpful.
by freediverX
@freediverX
Sorry about the delayed reply...
In reply to your questions, i haven't tested the optical sensor cable that others have referenced, so i cannot vouch for its reliability. The testing on the 2009 and 2010 27" iMacs that i have done have shown that the LCD thermal sensor cable works at the same frequency as the SMART disk in those ranges... the part number i use in these models is 593-1029.
As for suggesting a reliable hard drive, its difficult to say, as certain ranges have had manufacturing flaws that cause them to fail quicker than others (such as the seagate drives in the 09 imac range), but i have found that recently manufactured seagate 2TB drives are a good option (i usually go with the 7200rpm and not the Green 5900rpm version)
Other than that, western digital is a good option, if you go for their caviar black range i think, but hard drives are a difficult thing to offer advice on, as they vary from year to year... generally i would suggest going with your personal preference
Otherwise, i have found 1 2TB drive that works with the internal SMART disk, and it was a seagate barracuda, but im uncertain as to what causes it to work other than the firmware revision... but i have yet to look into it more.
The firmware revision of the one that worked was CC4C if that helps at all
by Jon Ridley