You might also consider reading iBook: latchy no catchy or Happy Birthday, Jill!.
Open an iBook today
Last night I stopped procrastinating and went about installing a new hard drive into our aging iBook. With this update, though, I’m beginning to think of that machine as well-aged.
First things first, a couple of weeks ago I ordered an 5400 RPM 80 GB Samsung drive from NewEgg (~$105) based on reader reviews of how quiet and cool the drive seemed to run. I’m a bit leery of putting a 5400 RPM drive in where a 4200 RPM used to live, but a check of the database at Accelerate Your Mac reflected that others had done so without much problem. The only problem reflected from their forums was that the process for getting to the HD was such a pain.
Based on the discussion, I ventured over to PB FitIt and downloaded the iBook HD replacement instructions. I followed the process essentially step-for-step, stopping only to run to Walmart to get a Torx bit and skipping only the step for disconnection of the speaker wire. I also taped the screws to the step from which they came directly onto their location on the picture. Other than that, after 3 hours all that was left was a fresh install of 10.3.
The new drive is whisper quiet (I didn’t even know the computer came on the first time I pressed the power button) and seems to get no warmer than the 10 GB drive it replaces. Let’s hope it extends the useful life of this gem for at least another year or so.
written by Kevin in web stuff