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G3 233 Mhz Desktop: "New" hard drive

Posted by: XBHS1997 on 2015-10-27 09:11:29 Hi folks I managed to resurrect another trash-saved Mac which was sitting around here. Before, at the first try (probably after ~10 years without being in use), it chimed and showed a flashing question mark. I then tried some OS 9 CDs I had lying around and also a Power Macintosh G3 one (not sure if the correct model). That last one was the only one that made it react. It showed a happy mac for some seconds, then ejected it and showed the flasing question mark again. As the hard drive seemed really quiet, I took it out. And indeed, it will not spin up. Then I looked through my HDD stock to find one of the the oldest, noisiest ones. Found. 🙂 And downloaded OS 8.0 and 8.1 for the Gossamer, and burnt 2 CDs with the G5. Finally, it booted with the CD and I was able to do a complete OS 8.1 install. As always, it got a new PRAM battery. Also blew out some dust and looked for another matching rubber foot as one was missing. My question: Is it possible that the original hard drive isn't dead, but only the controller board? How do I identify another board which would be compatible? Or: which number (for example) indicates the board model? I'd like to know if the original HDD can be saved... Left: old HDD / Right: "New" HDD Thanks :quadra: Nicolas

Posted by: Macdrone on 2015-10-27 10:34:06 Usually its the rubber inside the drives that turns to jelly or glue, not the controller board going bad, but at this age who knows for sure.

Posted by: XBHS1997 on 2015-10-27 11:43:49 Thanky for your answer, Macdrone. Basically, you mean this? https://68kmla.org/forums/index.php?/topic/23871-vintage-hd-stickysolutionlazymans-40mb-80mb-160mb-quantum-prodrive-els/ Btw, when connecting this HDD, it makes no sound at all, dead, like it had no power.

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