Hard Drive Click of Death with a twist

Idoitftw · #1 June 10th, 2009, 06:48 PM

Hello everyone,

I have an iMac Intel G5 that clicks repeatedly in 3-4 cycles when trying to boot. The system then stops trying and displays the gray screen and missing folder icon with the question mark. I first noticed the clicking problem several months ago when bringing the computer out of sleep mode and paid attention to it for a couple days and backed up my important files just in case.

Here's the twist - when trying to boot from sleep mode it will cycle 6 or 7 attempts of clicks and finally boot. However, when booting from power off it will only attempt to locate the hard drive 3-4 cycles and stop. Once it does boot from sleep, the hard drive seems to be fine and I have no problems.

I guess I'm looking for an idea as to why it will eventually come on given enough cycle attempts?

Satcomer · #2 June 10th, 2009, 07:18 PM

Stop RIGHT NOW!!!! Yes your drive has gone south but you might be able to get sensitive off it before disaster.

Get a firewire external hard drive and use that to get you data off it and maybe clone to it. Then replace the internal drive and then you can boot from the firewire clone and clone back to the new internal drive.

Externals are cheap now and all you have to do is make sure you get Firewire (with a PPC) to boot from. Just make sure you get one that is larger than the current internal drive.

djackmac · #3 June 10th, 2009, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Satcomer

Stop RIGHT NOW!!!! Yes your drive has gone south but you might be able to get sensitive off it before disaster.

Get a firewire external hard drive and use that to get you data off it and maybe clone to it. Then replace the internal drive and then you can boot from the firewire clone and clone back to the new internal drive.

Externals are cheap now and all you have to do is make sure you get Firewire (with a PPC) to boot from. Just make sure you get one that is larger than the current internal drive.

Sounds like its too far gone to get a .dmg of the HD, but perhaps if there's not much on it? If not, start thinking hard about whats most important and get it while you can because that drive is on borrowed time.

Idoitftw · #4 June 12th, 2009, 09:32 PM

Ok, so I did need a new hard drive. My 3 year applecare expired in February, so I bought an internal hard drive and I am installing it myself. So far I was able to get the cover off and first layer of screws. I'm stuck at the LCD though, as there are four screws here to remove that I can't seem to access. Anyone have any ideas or pointers?

I've been following a number of guides, with this one being the biggest help so far.
http://home.comcast.net/~woojo/DFFA5...sassembly.html