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Problem with pismo - 2008/03/10 14:40Hi, this is my first time posting here. I didn't know this forum was here.
Last February I bought a used Powerbook 3.1. (Power PC 750, 500 Mhz, 384 memory.)
A few weeks ago it started while I was working on it. After using it for about 1-1/2 hours, I hear, what I think is the fan, REALLY kick on with a whirling noise & vibrating. Vibrating to where I can put my hand underneath on that corner and feel it. While this is running loudly, everything locks up. I have to wait for it to stop before I can do anything. Yesterday it locked up and never quit so my only option was to hold down the power button to shut it off. Sometimes I tilt the laptop a little and its quieter but doesn't stop.
I had thought that the fan was going bad & overheating. I have it elevated so that air can get underneath because my lap gets quit warm.
I took it in to a shop today. When the guy took the keyboard off I showed him where the noise & vibration were coming from. (When sitting on my lap it's the right top corner of the laptop.) He told me that was the hard drive. So I guess my hard drive it dying.
Can hard drives overheat? Can I replace this on my own? He gave me a rough idea of the cost. Labor was alot more than the hard drive itself. On ifixit there are directions for fixing your laptop. He said that he'd have to research to see if they can even get a part for the laptop because it's "VINTAGE".
I love my laptop. I really can't do without it. Cindel
"EDIT" I'm convinced it's the hard drive. I took my keypad up and worked a while on the laptop. It started with the noise and vibration. I put my hand directly on the hard drive and that is where the noise & vibration are coming from. Does that mean it's getting ready to die???
Also.......where do I purchase hard drives for my powerbook 3.1?????
Post edited by: cindel, at: 2008/03/10 15:31
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swordbreaker55
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Posts: 102
Re:Problem with pismo - 2008/03/10 20:07All notebooks get hot. There's no avoiding it. It's a design thing.
Any 2.5" notebook PATA drive will work in the Pismo, provided it's under 120 GB. The master firmware just can't see anything bigger.
Shoot for 5400 RPM speed if heat is a concern.
Nate
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cindel
User
Posts: 9
Re:Problem with pismo - 2008/03/10 20:59Nate, Excuse my ignorance but what is PATA?
I found a couple online 60gb or 80gb. I have a 60gb already in the laptop. What is the advantage of a larger one?
A couple at powerbookmedic.com. They say ATA but not PATA.
Thanks cindel
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swordbreaker55
User
Posts: 102
Re:Problem with pismo - 2008/03/10 21:48That's Parallel ATA, or "regular" ATA. It's a retronym used to separate the old-style drives from the current Serial ATA (SATA) drive hardware.
Nate
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krowmagnum
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Posts: 794
Re:Problem with pismo - 2008/03/11 06:04The advantage of a larger drive is that you can loose more data when it dies ;-) Or store more data on it but if they are the same speed there's not much difference. One thing that does make a difference is the buffer size. Look for a drive with an 8MB buffer and it will help.
If you want a larger driver for your money check out OWC (link here on EveryMac page, or even better prices at Newegg.com. Powerbookmedic would not be my first choice.
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cindel
User
Posts: 9
Re:Problem with pismo - 2008/03/11 08:46Thank you both for your help.
I'm guessing "name" doesn't mean anything, right? Or is one better than the next?
Would a 120gb we alright. Any advantage over an 80gb?
Would any 2.5 work? I don't have to look for one that states its for a Powerbook pismo? I'm having trouble finding anything that says PATA. I find ATA/100 or just ATA. I'm looking on the OWC site. That's where I plan to purchase a hard drive.
I've never had to research any of this before. I apologize for any dumb questions. I'm very new to this. Still learning, actually.
Thanks again, cindel
Post edited by: cindel, at: 2008/03/11 12:29
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