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Released in October 2003, the iBook G4 replaced the iBook G3 as Apple's portable consumer computer. The iBook G4 was sold in 12" and 14" models and updated for the last time in 2005.

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When initializing the HD, I get a failure due to Input/Output error

I removed a 30 GB HD from a G4 iBook (1.2Mhz) and replaced it with a 40 GB that already had OS 10.5 on it. The laptop works and the old HD worked in the laptop prior to removal.

I placed 30 Gigger in a 2.5" enclosure and when I connected (either by way of the USB or the Firewire), none of my computers will 'see' it, not even the iBook I removed it from. I have a MacBook, the G4 iBook and a dual G4 Quicksilver.

I tried Drive Genius II and my old copy of SystemWorks 3.0 and they could not 'see' it either.

I tried Apple's Disk Utility and now I could 'see' it as a drive on the left but when I try to initialize it (quick initial only, don't want to destroy the data if I can help it), I get the error msg initialization failed Input/Output Error.

Any ideas?

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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I know this sounds silly, but I've gotten various errors from disk utility that were overcome by simply trying multiple times, i.e. an error the first and second try, but on the third it's worked for some reason. Sometimes rebooting and then trying again has helped as well.

Another thought -- this is a longshot, but do you possibly have an external enclosure which requires a second USB connector in order to power the drive? Some external enclosures cannot power a drive via a single USB connection, and they therefore come with a second cable which can be connected to a second USB port in order to provide additional power. I've seen cases where if only one of the two cables was connected, the drive was somewhat visible, but erratic behavior ensued, and the drive was not fully readable. Again, a long shot, especially if you've tried another drive on the same computer with success, but I thought I'd mention it.

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Yes, the enclosure has a 'double' USB cable or a Firewire with a separate USB for more power. And yes, I ensured in either case, there was a proper set up with the correct cables. But alas, that was not the problem.

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Most Helpful Answer

Check with the manufacturer's spec on the jumper setting on the drive. It probably needs to be set for either Master or Cable select.

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On a 2.5 inch drive, where would that be? I m familiar with jumpers on 3.5 inch drives. I will try their website once I pull it out of the enclosure.

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Do 2.5" drives really have jumpers? I asked this a while ago and got no response. I'm looking at a pile of them right now and see no jumpers, and I've never had a jumper issue on 2.5" drives in my life...am I missing something? 3.5" drives sure, but on 2.5" drives???

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some have two pin jumpers, look down to the 2.5 drives: http://www.wdc.com/en/library/eide/2579-...

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See figure 3, 4 & 5

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Wacky. Under what conditions/situations do 2.5" drives come with jumpers? I've dealt with hundreds, new and used, and I've never seen a jumper on even one of them. Is there a reason to use a jumper?

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Could be a failing external enclosure. Do you have another HD that you can try in the enclosure ?

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yes, i put a known working HD into it and that drive worked. So the enclosure is good.

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StevieB from ABQ will be eternally grateful.
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