How to add hard drive to G3

JoCo · 06-22-2009, 10:18 AM

We have an old Apple G3 computer running OS 9.1. It's doing all the work we want it to do but having purchased a new printer HP 3390 to set up as a network printer we found that the Install CD that came with the printer will not run under OS 9.1.

Only a temporary setback because we have an OS 10 disk and figure that we will upgrade. Good idea, but we lack the hard drive storage space to install OS 10. The G3 has only a 6GB drive. We are afraid to install OS 10 without backing up the current drive. Well, while we are at it we thought it wouldn't hurt to simply add another hard drive.

We have an open Fire Wire port and wonder if connecting an external via the Fire Wire might not be the best way to go.

While reading other threads we read a reply to a similar question that suggested using a USB Port, but we aren't sure if the USB port is a 1 or 2. Also, mention was made that shutting off n external drive without dismounting it can cause problems. Maybe we are reading that wrong.

We don't need a very large external drive, we're thinking under 32gb. Any suggestions as to a better approach?

JoCo · 06-22-2009, 09:14 PM

An additional thought came to mind as we looked at the pricing and selection of external hard drives. One post we read said that there is a limit of 126gb or around that with the G3 blue. We will be running OS 9.1 until we get a drive added and can switch over to OX 10.1. Can we configure a larger hard drive like a WD 160gb or larger with a Fat32 partition of say 120gb and the rest available for connecting to a PC when we want to back up the PC hard drive?

JoCo · 06-23-2009, 05:58 PM

This question is resolved. We purchased a used G4 computer running OS X 10.4 that has a 160gb hard drive.

sinclair_tm · 06-24-2009, 09:35 PM

Well, that was good. But yes, the G3 has the 120GB hard drive limit. They are USB 1 ports, and it can not boot from USB. But you could stick one in, and it will only see the 1st 120GB. Yes, you must eject the drive before unplugging it, but if the computer is off, it doesn't matter, you can just unplug it.

06-22-2009, 10:18 AM	#1 (permalink)
JoCo Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 22 OS: XP sp2	How to add hard drive to G3 We have an old Apple G3 computer running OS 9.1. It's doing all the work we want it to do but having purchased a new printer HP 3390 to set up as a network printer we found that the Install CD that came with the printer will not run under OS 9.1. Only a temporary setback because we have an OS 10 disk and figure that we will upgrade. Good idea, but we lack the hard drive storage space to install OS 10. The G3 has only a 6GB drive. We are afraid to install OS 10 without backing up the current drive. Well, while we are at it we thought it wouldn't hurt to simply add another hard drive. We have an open Fire Wire port and wonder if connecting an external via the Fire Wire might not be the best way to go. While reading other threads we read a reply to a similar question that suggested using a USB Port, but we aren't sure if the USB port is a 1 or 2. Also, mention was made that shutting off n external drive without dismounting it can cause problems. Maybe we are reading that wrong. We don't need a very large external drive, we're thinking under 32gb. Any suggestions as to a better approach?

06-22-2009, 09:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
JoCo Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 22 OS: XP sp2	Re: How to add hard drive to G3 An additional thought came to mind as we looked at the pricing and selection of external hard drives. One post we read said that there is a limit of 126gb or around that with the G3 blue. We will be running OS 9.1 until we get a drive added and can switch over to OX 10.1. Can we configure a larger hard drive like a WD 160gb or larger with a Fat32 partition of say 120gb and the rest available for connecting to a PC when we want to back up the PC hard drive?

06-23-2009, 05:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
JoCo Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 22 OS: XP sp2	Re: How to add hard drive to G3 This question is resolved. We purchased a used G4 computer running OS X 10.4 that has a 160gb hard drive.