I've upgraded a Power Mac G5 2ghz machine:
Original Config: 1.5 gig memory, 2 x 160 gb HD, Tiger OS.
New Config: 3.5 gig memory, 1 x 320 gb HD, 3 x 500 gb HD, 1 x Sonnet Tempo SATA PCI Expansion Card , 1 x Sonnet G5 Jive Internal SATA Mounting.
The 2 additional 500 gb Baracuda HDs are mounted in the Sonnet Jive Mounting,( connected to the PCI card in slot 3), and powered with the supplied cable and plug from the optical drive, as per the sonnet instructions. The 2 remaining HDs are in the original slots A & B in the G5. Total of 7 volumes on 4 drives - 2 on drive 1, 3 on drive 2, one each on Drives 3 & 4
Problem: Computer suddenly is unable to locate any discs with Disk Utility - just get a spinning wheel. Can force quit Disk Utility, but then computer fails to shutdown, again the dreaded spinning wheel. Only means of shut down is by FORCE QUITTING (holding power button in).
Went back to square one. Refitted 2 original HDs slots A & B - complete with the OS already on HD (Tiger). Removed PCI card and mounting kit plus extra drives.
Result - all systems working normally. Went through a test sequence on this and all subsequent modifications:
All disks verified by Disk Utility, Images on other disc accessed via Bridge & Photoshop, start up and shutdown times logged.
Then added PCI card, tested as above - OK
Then added 3rd drive via mounting kit, tested as above - OK
Then added 4th drive via mounting kit, tested as above - OK
Removed mounting kit, PCI card, all drives and installed one new drive with Leopard in G5 position A. (Partitioned into 2 volumes)
Tested as above - OK
Then added 2nd new disk with images, position B, tested as above - OK
Then added PCI card, tested as above - OK
Then added 3rd drive via mounting kit, tested as above - OK
Then added 4th drive via mounting kit, tested as above - OK
Used this set up with Bridge & CS2 for an hour or so without a problem. The I re- partitioned Disk 2 (500 gb Seagate Baracuda) into 3 volumes, but disk still empty of data.
Then went through my test sequence and SAME PROBLEM RECURRED - Disk Utility (which I'd just used to partition disk) was unable to locate ANY drives - just the spinning wheel again. Sure enough the G5 refused to shutdown, spinning wheel again. I FORCE QUIT and left it alone!
I've phoned Sonnet and the card is compatible, firm ware is updated. Computer recognizes all discs and memory, until this problem appears. It seems that something in the system may not like more than 5 volumes being present. Additionally when I did a Leopard re-installation it failed to complete and just stopped installing before the software installation was complete. When I switched from "Erase & Install" to "Update" on the install menu it went in OK. I've successfully installed using this Leopard disk on a Quad Pro, so I don't think it's corrupted.
I'm now at a loss as what to do next to find and cure the problem - any advice would be appreciated
Regards
Max Dutton
Original Config: 1.5 gig memory, 2 x 160 gb HD, Tiger OS.
New Config: 3.5 gig memory, 1 x 320 gb HD, 3 x 500 gb HD, 1 x Sonnet Tempo SATA PCI Expansion Card , 1 x Sonnet G5 Jive Internal SATA Mounting.
The 2 additional 500 gb Baracuda HDs are mounted in the Sonnet Jive Mounting,( connected to the PCI card in slot 3), and powered with the supplied cable and plug from the optical drive, as per the sonnet instructions. The 2 remaining HDs are in the original slots A & B in the G5. Total of 7 volumes on 4 drives - 2 on drive 1, 3 on drive 2, one each on Drives 3 & 4
Problem: Computer suddenly is unable to locate any discs with Disk Utility - just get a spinning wheel. Can force quit Disk Utility, but then computer fails to shutdown, again the dreaded spinning wheel. Only means of shut down is by FORCE QUITTING (holding power button in).
Went back to square one. Refitted 2 original HDs slots A & B - complete with the OS already on HD (Tiger). Removed PCI card and mounting kit plus extra drives.
Result - all systems working normally. Went through a test sequence on this and all subsequent modifications:
All disks verified by Disk Utility, Images on other disc accessed via Bridge & Photoshop, start up and shutdown times logged.
Then added PCI card, tested as above - OK
Then added 3rd drive via mounting kit, tested as above - OK
Then added 4th drive via mounting kit, tested as above - OK
Removed mounting kit, PCI card, all drives and installed one new drive with Leopard in G5 position A. (Partitioned into 2 volumes)
Tested as above - OK
Then added 2nd new disk with images, position B, tested as above - OK
Then added PCI card, tested as above - OK
Then added 3rd drive via mounting kit, tested as above - OK
Then added 4th drive via mounting kit, tested as above - OK
Used this set up with Bridge & CS2 for an hour or so without a problem. The I re- partitioned Disk 2 (500 gb Seagate Baracuda) into 3 volumes, but disk still empty of data.
Then went through my test sequence and SAME PROBLEM RECURRED - Disk Utility (which I'd just used to partition disk) was unable to locate ANY drives - just the spinning wheel again. Sure enough the G5 refused to shutdown, spinning wheel again. I FORCE QUIT and left it alone!
I've phoned Sonnet and the card is compatible, firm ware is updated. Computer recognizes all discs and memory, until this problem appears. It seems that something in the system may not like more than 5 volumes being present. Additionally when I did a Leopard re-installation it failed to complete and just stopped installing before the software installation was complete. When I switched from "Erase & Install" to "Update" on the install menu it went in OK. I've successfully installed using this Leopard disk on a Quad Pro, so I don't think it's corrupted.
I'm now at a loss as what to do next to find and cure the problem - any advice would be appreciated
Regards
Max Dutton
