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Upgrading HD in Macintosh TV
Posted by: ShelShock on 2016-08-07 16:46:50
Hi Folks,

Thanks for your comments on my earlier thread re:tv extensions.

Next, I need to upgrade the hard drive in this thing. It comes with a stock 80MB (or 60... I don't have it in front of me now) and that is far too small.

Question: if I purchase an external drive and USB/SCSI adapter, can I plug a new drive in? Will it be recognized? I figured this was the better, more reliable alternative than ebaying a 20 year old SCSI for internal installation.

Feedback and experience welcome.

Thanks again guys!

Posted by: sstaylor on 2016-08-07 17:24:18
According to MacTracker the Macintosh TV uses IDE hard drives internally.  Doesn't seem right to me, but that's what's listed.  IDE drives are much easier to find, and some people have had good luck with an IDE to Compact Flash adapter.

If MacTracker is wrong (perish the thought!), the SCSI2SD is a nice option.

According to EveryMac.com, it has internal SCSI.  Not sure who to trust here; but similar models of the era were SCSI, so that would be my bet.  Go with SCSI2SD. 

Posted by: jsarchibald on 2016-08-07 17:32:58
Mac Tracker also states the original hard drive is a 160GB, which would be correct.  The LC 575 which came after was available in a 160 and 250.

Second hand drives can be had reasonably cheap, but you can always get an external drive too.  Not sure if it has the connections, but I am fond of using my SC500 drive on my macs for quick and easy storage, and don't forget about zip either.

Posted by: omidimo on 2016-08-07 18:07:09
The Macintosh TV uses a slide in drive w/pin adapter so some customization is needed. 

Check this thread out:;The 550 is very similar to Macintosh TV: https://68kmla.org/forums/index.php?/topic/26444-fpu-and-scsi2sd-for-lc550/

Posted by: Macdrone on 2016-08-07 21:43:24
160 mb not gb lol  getting way past the times there lol.

Posted by: jsarchibald on 2016-08-07 22:25:45
160 mb not gb lol  getting way past the times there lol.
I stand by my original comment. 😛

Posted by: sstaylor on 2016-08-08 04:13:50
OK, confirmed to be SCSI via the service manual (and apparently will be corrected in next Mac Tracker).

SCSI2SD is a good way to go for this, or maybe a newer scsi hard drive with an adapter.

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