Thanks Clark, for those clear words! and Thanks James, for showing that it’s still a complicated business…
But I’m starting to understand it now, also from (previously mentioned on this list, I know...) webpages like this one: http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powermac_g4/faq/power-mac-g4-how-to-replace-upgrade-hard-drive-big-drive-support.html They have a good table, listing the different models with their HD- controller speed, which is the main point. Here’s how I would summarize it, putting the PowerMac models in sequence from old to new: 1. Before the Quicksilver, larger HDs are not supported, that is, out of the box, because these models have Ultra ATA/66 controllers (or even slower /33). These models can be made to recognize larger-than-128GB harddisks by installing a newer controller card (for example, a PCI SATA card) or a software driver from here: http://www.speedtools.com/ATA6.html 2. Quicksilver and QuickSilver 2002 support larger HDs for OS X, but not for booting OS 9 -- unless one of the above fixes is installed. 3. Starting from Mirror Drive Doors, larger HDs are supported without any addition. These models’ HD-controller is Ultra ATA/100. For James: maybe your Mac has a "hack" installed -- I saw that mentioned somewhere. To be completely clear: all the above is independent of the way the HD is partitioned. The SpeedTools people give good guidelines on their site how to partition a disk, and they advise to keep the volumes 128GB or smaller even with their driver installed. If you boot that PowerMac from another System (CD/DVD) which doesn’t have the SpeedTools driver, you will only see the first volume, not the "higher" ones -- but only if that first volume is 128GB or smaller. If it’s larger, you won’t see any volume on that harddisk. -- 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
