iMac HDD

The HDD in one of my iMacs is dying... the number of re-allocated sectors is growing at a depressing (though not yet alarming) rate

It's waaay out of warranty, not under AppleCare, and not my main machine, but it's too useful to ditch and I don't fancy paying Apple prices for an HDD swap. I've looked at a few videos on the 'net and I'm perfectly happy that it's well within my capabilities.

But I know zilch about SATA drives... the one in there is a 3.5" Seagate Barracuda, 1TB, 7200.12, model ST31000528AS, but I know Apple also use WD drives.

Can I replace it with any SATA drive that will physically fit, or is there anything in particular I should look for?

That drive will be fine, i have changed 2 with the seagate.

Just make sure you check the jumper setting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDPOpBi2gtE if i remember correct i removed it, but just check the old one when you have taken it out.

Edit: i used iFixit for instructions http://www.ifixit.com/Device/iMac

Edited by defcom (Fri 22-Mar-13 18:27:25)

If you don't need a lot of space have a look at ssd's they are very quick.

I don't need a great deal of space, though more than needed is a lot better than less!

Nor is speed particularly a factor, an ssd would be OTT. I'm more interested in "cheap"

I was looking at this one from WD.

It's big enough and I like the price, but want to know in advance if there any obvious gotchas, like whether it matters if it's S.M.A.R.T-compatible like the one that's dying.

I had to have the drive replaced in my mid-2010 iMac. I think one of the problems is that the HDD has a temp monitor in it and you lose that with a non Apple HDD. The answer to that is the app HDD Fan Control. Works fine in my iMac.

I decided that as I'd intended to upgrade to the latest iMac in the summer (if we ever get one!) I'd do it a few months early, so haven't yet got around to swapping the drive.

But that's very useful to know, I'll download a copy before I start, thanks

"I think one of the problems is that the HDD has a temp monitor in it and you lose that with a non Apple HDD"

I just prised it off gently and reattached it the new hard drive.

You can do that with older iMacs, I forget the change-over date (I think it was when the aluminium ones replaced the white plastic ones) but the later ones have an extra connector on the drive to an internal sensor.

I suspect it's the same sensor that SMART uses, Apple are just making it difficult to install non-Apple drives. Or making it obvious when it's been done.

I'm a bit bemused as to why a separate sensor should be needed. As you say, SMART provides this already.

In reply to a post by AEP:

SMART provides this already.

It does now, I'm not sure how widespread it was in the early days of the iMac. Even now, I gather that some manufacturers implement different bits to others.

I'd guess that Apple used a separate sensor in those days to give them a wider choice of drives, but's that's all it is- a guess.

As to using a separate cable to connect to an existing sensor on later drives- you're not supposed to take Macs apart and use unauthorised replacements, it cuts into the profit margin

later drives have an extra connector, which means if the correct apple drive is not fitted, the mac won't boot. i think it might be from 2011.

earlier ones are ok to change, just flipping awkward.

In reply to a post by cookie:

later drives have an extra connector, which means if the correct apple drive is not fitted, the mac won't boot.

As far as I can discover- rubbish.

They'll boot OK, but because the OS can't sense the drive temperature it ramps the fan up to full speed (~6,000rpm) to be on the safe side. Which is irritating.

The app that The Horseman mentioned earlier is probably the best way around the problem, though there are others.

See this article for example (scroll down to Hard drive upgrade issues)

If you have a link to somewhere it says that it won't boot, I'd like to see it?

Edited by billford (Thu 28-Mar-13 10:36:09)

you are correct, i am mistaken in the non booting issue.

Either a Seagate or a WD will be fine. I have three iMacs and had drives replaced under warranty and then done it myself after AppleCare expired. The trickiest part is getting the glass off the 27" model then replacing it.

There are several videos out there showing how to do it.

QUOTE.
"The HDD in one of my iMacs is dying... the number of re-allocated sectors is growing at a depressing (though not yet alarming) rate ".
END QUOTE

Can you tell a mere novice how to find out about re-allocated sectors?
My G4 iMac has started to make buzzing noises which seem to come from HDD and I would like to monitor the degradation progress.

Or should I just get it replaced as a precaution?
Is there a reliable competent repairer roughly in South Manchester area who would do this job?
[Please don't tell me to buy a new Mac - my better half has just got herself a new MacBookPro.]

The G4 iMac was bought new in Apr 2002 from John Lewis. Thanks to the 2-year JL Warranty a noisy HDD was replaced free in 2004. It has been fine till last few days.

Inconvenient as we are just getting Fibre connection by zen/BT - the last thing I need is a crashed HDD.

In reply to a post by DIOGENES:

Can you tell a mere novice how to find out about re-allocated sectors?
My G4 iMac has started to make buzzing noises which seem to come from HDD and I would like to monitor the degradation progress.

Or should I just get it replaced as a precaution?

I used this- Smart Utility. It's free for a month, which should be long enough to either set your mind at rest or confirm your worst fears

Is there a reliable competent repairer roughly in South Manchester area who would do this job?

Can't help with that- I'm nowhere near that area.

From Apple's website...

Manchester, Manchester Arndale
New Cannon Street Mall
Manchester, M4 3AJ
016 1455 1900

Manchester, Trafford Centre
146 Peel Avenue
Manchester, M17 8BL
0161 240 1000

I would steer well clear of the 7200.12 drives. They have inherent problems which Seagate seem to be completely ignoring. there is no firmware fix as there was with 7200.11's.