Powermac G4

[imported_Lucifer]

Hello,

I have a question. My Powermac G4 has 2 HDD's in it. It also has one DVD Rom drive in it. I just got a 40gig HD for free. I opened up the case, but there were no extra IDE cables. There was one IDE plug left, but that is for an extra CD Rom drive or zip or floppy drive. The cable is too short, so I cant use it to add the extra HD. In order to install the new HD I got, do I need another IDE controller to connect the new HD? Or is there another way of connecting the HD without another IDE controller?

Thanks!
Excuse my ignorance.

 

[amol]

pci card?

 

[imported_Lucifer]

Thats what I was getting at. I was thinking, instead of getting an IDE PCI controller, I might as well purchase an SATA PCI controller and run a couple of Raptors.

Think its a good idea?

 

[phisrow]

Assuming you cannot or do not wish to just swap the cable that is too short, you could employ a small bridge box, either USB2 or Firewire(preferable in your case, though likely more expensive). Something like http://www.dansdata.com/drivedocks.htm for firewire or this http://www.dansdata.com/usbadapt.htm for usb. You would just have to put the drive in the box, connect it to system power and the adapter of your choice, then run the cable to an internal header(if the G4 has any) or out the back to one of the rear ports. Performance will be worse than just getting another IDE controller, so unless that is much more expensive, it is what I would recommend.

 

[imported_Lucifer]

The drive dock is pretty pricey. The G4 has one internal header. The SATA PCI card only costs about $50 from OWC. But then, SATA drives are kind of expensive. But I am sure Newegg sells them cheap.