In article <20080729123143.935$8m@newsreader.com>, Phil <pm@INVALID.com(Phil)> wrote:
> Doug Anderson <ethelthelogremovethis@gmail.com> wrote: > > pm@INVALID.com(Phil) writes: > > > > > Hi: > > > > > > Last week the hard drive in my Tivo (Satellite/DVR ) died and had > > > to be replaced. So now I am really concerned about the HD in my > > > computer. > > > > > > This is what I have - > > > > > > Hardware Overview: > > > > > > Machine Model: Power Mac G4 > > > CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (3.3) > > > Number Of CPUs: 1 > > > CPU Speed: 1.25 GHz > > > L2 Cache (per CPU): 256 KB > > > L3 Cache (per CPU): 1 MB > > > Memory: 1.25 GB > > > Bus Speed: 167 MHz > > > Boot ROM Version: 4.4.8f2
> > I am running Mac OS X 10.3.9 Checking the backside of my computer I see > that I have 2 open firewire ports. > > I was thinking internal storage because of ez install, lack of general > space, and I assume that an external HD would need to be plugged into the > electric, and I'm already pretty maxed out in that area also. > > Also if I add the second drive do I need to format (?) it? Do I need some > program to teach it what to do? I have done some things inside of my > computer such as memory upgrades, and swapped out the HD in my Tivo, but I > don't know squat about how to do this backup. Advice greatly appreciated.
If you purchase a generic internal IDE/ATA drive, you will likely have to format it. Disk Utility, which comes with Mac OS X, can do that for you quite easily. Make sure you set the jumpers for 'slave' on a second internal disk before installing it.
If you purchase an external firewire drive from a Mac-oriented vendor, such as <http://www.macsales.com>, it will come already formatted for Mac use.
For backup software, I would recommend Super Duper! or Carbon Copy Cloner.
However, you are running a fairly old operating system version, and you might have a little trouble finding a backup program that runs on 10.3. You might consider upgrading your OS. Your system can run Leopard, which comes with the Time Machine backup software.
