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About Ed Dyer
Expertise
Current Tech: Mac OS X 10.0 - 10.6, Some shell scripting, cron, launchd, Mac OS X Server 10.2-10.6, AD-OD Integration, Automator, Movable Type/Word Press Blogging, All CURRENT Mac models, iLife '09 and previous, iWork '09 and previous, Apple Remote Desktop, NetRestore/NetInstall/DeployStudio, Font Management, WiFi, BASIC Cisco Devices: iPhone(original-3GS), AppleTV, Airport Express, Time Capsule Old Skool: Mac OS Environment 7.5.3-OS 9 (please upgrade for pete's sake! I will only answer basic questions in this area, as my expertise here is fading), PowerBook G3/G4(all models), Mac/Windows Networking, PowerPC 604-G4 desktop models, Outlook 2001, Photoshop 7 and previous, Flash MX, Dreamweaver MX Dabbler: Newton 2100 w/ WiFi and NSync, Yellow Dog Linux, Suse Linux (PPC), Ubuntu Linux, Vista Business

Experience
I'm employed as a Solutions Architect at All Covered with a specialty in Macintosh technologies and Project Management.
I've worked with the Macintosh Operating system and various machines since my first PowerMac 8500 running Mac OS 7.5.3 in 1996. I support my friends and family in keeping their Macs healthy and upgraded. Now I use a MacBook Pro for work and have a Flat Screen iMac (intel 20" core 2 duo) for home use.
I went to school for multimedia and design, but this knowledge-base is fading, though I primarily geek out with workstation deployment and server management. I'm sort of a "Mac of all trades" :)

Most important: I've also worked on PCs for a number of years with various flavors of Windows(95,98,NT4,2000,2000Server,2K3Server,SBS 2K3Server,Mil,XPHome,XPPro, Vista Business), but I've always used the Mac as my platform of preference.
Publications
http://www.macwindows.com : VPNs and Outlook
Get IT for your business: http://www.allcovered.com

Organizations
Apple Consultants Network

Publications
http://www.macwindows.com : VPNs and Outlook
Get IT for your business: http://www.allcovered.com

Education/Credentials
I'm an Apple Certified System Administrator (ACSA) through 10.4 and have the lower certs as well (ACTC for 10.1 - 10.5), an Apple Certified Help Desk Specialist for 10.3 (ACHDS) and a member of the Apple Consultants Network, as well as an Apple Product Professional for 2002-2007.
I have an MCP cert. from MS as well...

Past/Present Clients
Navy Federal Credit Union (Washington, D.C.) Whole Foods Market (Mid Atlantic Region) Army Times (Washington, D.C.) Children's National Medical Center (Washington, D.C.) Dodge Communications (ATL) ...and a plethora of All Covered™ clients throughout the United States of America

You are here: Experts > Computing/Technology > Focus on Mac Support > Macs/Apples > G4 - what max hard drive accepted

Macs/Apples - G4 - what max hard drive accepted

Expert: Ed Dyer - 10/30/2009

Question
Grateful for info.   My faithful Mac G4 - what is the MAX hard drive size it will take ?
What type of HD will the G4 take - eg Sata, etc, with USB connection ?
Can I add a card or anything to get say a 500GB or 1TB HD ?
             Spec:
Machine Name:   Power Mac G4
Machine Model:   PowerMac3,5
CPU Type:   PowerPC G4 (2.1)
Number Of CPUs:   1
CPU Speed:   933 MHz
L2 Cache (per CPU):256 KB
L3 Cache (per CPU):2 MB
Memory:   1.5 GB SDRAM
Bus Speed:   133 MHz
Boot ROM Version:   4.3.3f2
Serial Number:   CK216HP8M38
TM 1983-2007   Build 85167
OSX: 10.4.11
HD: 80GB

Answer
Douglas,
You have a "QuickSilver 2002": http://apple-history.com/?page=gallery&model=g4_quick_2002&sort=date&performa=of...

It supports large drives, as large as you can find an ATA-133 (IDE) drive that is. I think they might get as large as 750GB.

You can use any type of drive (IDE, SATA) with USB, but since it's USB1 (12Mb/s), and not USB2 (480Mb/s), I'd advise sticking with a FireWire connection. If you need to have the drive sit inside the tower, you can remove one of the PCI panels and route the FW cable back inside, housing the adapter and drive inside. Try newer tech or OWC (macsales.com) for a good adapter.

If you've got to have USB, they get a USB PCI card (64-bit 33 MHz PCI), but good luck with the drivers; make sure the manufacturer supports Mac specifically. Make sure to get a card that has enough power to spin up your drive; USB is flaky sometimes and may not spin up drives with RPM's of higher than 5400.

Good luck!

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