---------- Original message ---------- Subject: Re: IDE/ATA Hard drives Date: Samstag 24 Oktober 2009N From: "Michael G.M." <michaelgm717...@gmail.com> To: "G-Group" <g3-5-list@googlegroups.com>
> On Oct 23, 8:56 am, dc <dbc...@verizon.net> wrote: > > Jump over the the LEM Swap List quickly, there's a nice SATA PCI card > > for only $45!!! > > I don't think I trust the Acard adapter. I've not read many > encouraging reviews of it. > If I don't get the Firm Tek, I'll get the adapters. > Are the adapters as reliable as a SATA PCI card? I think I'd rather > get the PCI card over the adapters if I can use larger > drives. SOLUTION #1: SATA PCI card ########################## The advantage of a Mac compatible PCI card for SATA drives is that it will be -in theory- much faster than through IDE/ATA (PATA). A Mac card should also enable booting from the connected SATA drives, which is not so easy I guess. SOLUTION #2: SATA to IDE/ATA converter ###################################### The advantage of using a converter is that it operates completely independent from the computer hardware. The adaptor makes a SATA drive look like an ordinary ATA drive, and versi versa. The one thing to consider is the ability of the IDE/ATA chip _and_ (as mentioned by ycawg) the operating system to access big drives (i.e. LBA-48 instead of LBA-28). * All Power Macs starting from the Quicksilver 2002 have LBA-48 support. * All Power Macs with a KeyLargo ATA controller chip can handle LBA-48, but it has to be described as an Open Firmware property. * Mac OS X starting from 10.2.6 has LBA-48 support (only with OF property). * Mac OS 9 doesn't have LBA-48 support. If you should happen to have a KeyLargo ATA controller, but your drives are limited to 128 GB anyway (i.e. only LBA-28 is used), you should take a look at this: http://www.4thcode.blogspot.com/2007/12/using-128-gib-or-larger-ata-hard- drives.html Your system has a KeyLargo chip if the AppleKeyLargo.kext driver is used (see System Profiler or Disk Utility, although I'm not sure where exactly). There is also a disadvantage: some converters are too big to be put in front of the drive. I had a problem connecting a SATA drive to my Quicksilver 2001 (with a rewritten Open Firmware to support LBA-48). The converter was not only too big and I couldn't close the side door while the drive was connected, it was also placed on the other side compared to a regular ATA drive. It was impossible to connect a true ATA drive and a SATA drive with converter at the same time -in the original drive bay- using the original Ultra-ATA IDE cable. It may work with two SATA drives that use the same converter. On my Power Mac G5 Late 2005 (that provides two SATA drive bays) I had a similar problem when the SATA cable was just long enough to connect to the converter (which was connected to the IDE/ATA drive). It was possible, but the SATA cable was bended and tightened, since the connector on the converter was rotated by 90 degrees and sitting a bit higher. Also with the below mentioned DS-33150 SATA to IDE adapter I needed two (!) extra standard 5V plugs, one for the adapter itself (the converter chip needs power too) and one for the IDE drive. The SATA plug doesn't work for neighter the converter nor the drive, but maybe there is an adapter for that too. I used the DIGITUS products which work only one way. * Digitus DS-33150 SATA to IDE adapter http://www.digitus.info/en/products/accessories/?c=1504&p=15614 * Digitus DS-33151 IDE to SATA Adapter http://www.digitus.info/en/products/accessories/?c=1504&p=15615 You would use the DS-33151 IDE to SATA Adapter to connect two SATA drives to the IDE bus of your Power Mac. If your system is a Quicksilver 2002 or an MDD (FW400 and FW800) just go for it, provided you can get the installation right. With a pre-Quicksilver 2002 Power Mac you should first check if a KeyLargo chip is used for the Ultra-ATA IDE bus. If so, use the Open Firmware patch and go for it. If you system cannot handle >128 GB drives you NEED to get a PCI card for either SATA or IDE/ATA that can handle big drives natively. You would go for the SATA PCI card off course, but keep in mind that the card should support booting from its connected drives. Hope that wasn't too compilicated and helps, cheers, Andreas aka Mac User #330250 --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
