Mac OS 9 Lives

Mac OS 9 Discussion => Hardware => Storage => Topic started by: Rin Elyran on June 01, 2014, 11:40:46 AM

Title: CompactFlash to IDE adapter on iBook G3: possible hard drive replacement?
Post by: Rin Elyran on June 01, 2014, 11:40:46 AM

Ever since I acquired my iBook G3 Clamshell from the research center I worked at as a college intern, I've been a bit worried about the 10 GB hard drive, which I assume is factory-installed. The loudness doesn't bother me, as I kind of expect that from an older hard drive. But what worries me the most is the fact that it occasionally makes a clicking noise, and from past experience as an IT technician, that usually means the hard drive is nearing the end of its life. I had initially considered a solid-state IDE hard drive for the iBook, but for a 16 GB SSD, that's like $50 USD. I then got the idea of running Mac OS 9 from a CompactFlash card via an adapter, which is like $5 for the actual adapter, and $30 for a 16 GB CF card. It's not set in stone that I'd be getting a 16 GB card, but I'll use 16 GB as a bare minimum.

My question is, do you think it would be worth investing in a CF-to-IDE adapter, plus a CF card? Or do you think I'd be better off with purchasing another rotational hard drive for the iBook?

Title: Re: CompactFlash to IDE adapter on iBook G3: possible hard drive replacement?
Post by: supernova777 on June 02, 2014, 12:32:23 AM

u can buy a SSD with the appropriate IDE interface on ebay by  a company called KINGSPEC
i believe

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XIDE+SSD&_nkw=IDE+SSD&_sacat=0&_from=R40

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Replace-laptop-2-5-IDE-HD-with-DIY-Compact-Flash-Memory-CF-Solid-State-Drive-/141208387159?pt=US_Solid_State_Drives&hash=item20e0acfe57

Title: Re: CompactFlash to IDE adapter on iBook G3: possible hard drive replacement?
Post by: Rin Elyran on June 02, 2014, 08:06:06 AM

Many thanks.  :)

If anyone else has any advice, it would be very much appreciated.

Title: Re: CompactFlash to IDE adapter on iBook G3: possible hard drive replacement?
Post by: supernova777 on June 02, 2014, 08:26:36 AM

16gb might be large enough?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kingspec-2-5-16-GB-44Pin-PATA-IDE-Laptop-Solid-State-Drive-MLC-NAND-Flash-SSD-/171153463732?pt=US_Solid_State_Drives&hash=item27d98a99b4

or maybe 32gb?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Kingspec-SSD-2-5-PATA-IDE-32GB-KSD-PA25-6-032MS-for-Dell-HP-IBM-laptop-/181165932478?pt=US_Solid_State_Drives&hash=item2a2e54bfbe

Title: Re: CompactFlash to IDE adapter on iBook G3: possible hard drive replacement?
Post by: Rin Elyran on June 02, 2014, 02:05:10 PM

I may opt for 32 GB, because I would like to have plenty of wiggle room after having installed Mac OS 9.2.2 and Mac OS X 10.3.9. If I remember correctly, I had both OS 9 and OS X on my old graphite iMac's 30 GB hard drive, with lots of room to spare.

From a financial standpoint, I probably won't be ready to upgrade for a while, so I'll just make do with the hard drive I have. But it's always good to think ahead.

Title: Re: CompactFlash to IDE adapter on iBook G3: possible hard drive replacement?
Post by: supernova777 on May 03, 2015, 11:30:24 AM

keep in mind u may have issues squeezing a cheap chinese CF to IDE adapter into the slot

i know the ones i have are 40 pin so u would have to get a 44pin CF to IDE adapter first of all.. second of all im not sure if it would fit then again if its a 44pin adapter theyve probably designed it in a way to fit into a laptop harddrive port because thats the only place where u would use a 44pin adapter anyway