Replacing/Upgrading Ram, HD, and Superdrive (Newbie)

[ahbaker]

iMac PowerPC G5, pre-iSight

I've checked out tutorial vids on youtube, and all three seem like dummy proof installations. My only problem is, I've never installed any kind of software in all my years on computers. I don't want to do something I'd end up regretting.

Will I be fine upgrading the internal HD, Superdrive, and Ram? Or should I just pay the premium and have someone else do it?

 

[rtrt]

iMac PowerPC G5, pre-iSight

I've checked out tutorial vids on youtube, and all three seem like dummy proof installations. My only problem is, I've never installed any kind of software in all my years on computers. I don't want to do something I'd end up regretting.

Will I be fine upgrading the internal HD, Superdrive, and Ram? Or should I just pay the premium and have someone else do it?

I have the same machine and did the RAM in 2005 - it was the first time i'd ever changed any hardware, as i'd always had work machines - Mac and PC - so always had someone to do whatever was needed for me.

Iirc - i made the mistake of not pushing the new RAM stick in firmly enough - so had to open the imac up again - but tbh it was v straightforward. Am actually thinking about upgrading again from 1G to 2G - but not sure how cheap to go - ie to ebay or not

Recently i've removed the superdrive - 4 screws i think. Can't think why you'd upgrade that tho - altho if it was broken then i get it.

By all accounts the hard drive is quite simple too but you might need to remove and replace a temp sensor - not sure tbh.

If you've already found some kind of tutorials online you should be sorted - but make sure it's for the same model as they do differ in layout etc.

 

[Techhie]

I have the same machine and did the RAM in 2005 - it was the first time i'd ever changed any hardware, as i'd always had work machines - Mac and PC - so always had someone to do whatever was needed for me.

Iirc - i made the mistake of not pushing the new RAM stick in firmly enough - so had to open the imac up again - but tbh it was v straightforward. Am actually thinking about upgrading again from 1G to 2G - but not sure how cheap to go - ie to ebay or not

Recently i've removed the superdrive - 4 screws i think. Can't think why you'd upgrade that tho - altho if it was broken then i get it.

By all accounts the hard drive is quite simple too but you might need to remove and replace a temp sensor - not sure tbh.

If you've already found some kind of tutorials online you should be sorted - but make sure it's for the same model as they do differ in layout etc.

Like aforementioned, make sure you really get the RAM in there, else get the "boops of death" on boot. Don't want to have to take it all apart again!

 

[nick1516]

Make sure you have the right tools though, I forgot a torx t8 screwdriver when replacing my HD with a bigger one yesterday, had to drive to several stores before I found one

 

[ahbaker]

@nick, thanks for mentioning the exact screwdriver. I wrote it down on the list.

@rtrt, I only need to upgrade the Superdrive because it can't burn DL discs. It was an impulse buy a few months back; I didn't take my time research and pick up an Intel G5 which probably eliminates the Superdrive problem. Now you can see I'm paying for it by scrambling to max out it's potential. I considered re-selling it, but the machine is in such good shape it doesn't bother me to just replace a few parts to make my needs obtainable.

Thanks for all the help thus far. If anybody happens to have anymore insight, please feel free to share.

 

[nick1516]

@nick, thanks for mentioning the exact screwdriver. I wrote it down on the list.

@rtrt, I only need to upgrade the Superdrive because it can't burn DL discs. It was an impulse buy a few months back; I didn't take my time research and pick up an Intel G5 which probably eliminates the Superdrive problem. Now you can see I'm paying for it by scrambling to max out it's potential. I considered re-selling it, but the machine is in such good shape it doesn't bother me to just replace a few parts to make my needs obtainable.

Thanks for all the help thus far. If anybody happens to have anymore insight, please feel free to share.

Look up your computer though, from what I could tell you should only need a phillips, but I needed the t8 on my macbook, so check before you buy

 

[rtrt]

@nick, thanks for mentioning the exact screwdriver. I wrote it down on the list.

@rtrt, I only need to upgrade the Superdrive because it can't burn DL discs. It was an impulse buy a few months back; I didn't take my time research and pick up an Intel G5 which probably eliminates the Superdrive problem. Now you can see I'm paying for it by scrambling to max out it's potential. I considered re-selling it, but the machine is in such good shape it doesn't bother me to just replace a few parts to make my needs obtainable.

Thanks for all the help thus far. If anybody happens to have anymore insight, please feel free to share.

yep i know what you mean re maxing out and impluse buying - regularly suffer from that disease myself
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you might find this useful
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2278
it has various docs on hardware changes on the imac g5 - including the hdd swap you mentioned