New-tome G5 Quad

[HappySausageDog]

Hello all,

I recently got a G5 Quad. I have a few questions about getting it up and fully running:

I'd like to replace the boot HDD with an SSD - The computer didn't come with a optical drive and I don't have one lying around. Is there a way I can clone or "restore" the existing OS image (10.5.4) onto the SSD? If I wanted to install OS9, would I have to burn it to CD or is there another way of installing it? What about a PPC Linux distro?

The computer didn't come with an AirPort card. Do I have to get the late 2005-specific card or can I use a generic PCI wifi card? If I can use a PCI card, is there anything I need to know about getting it up and running?

I know the Quads have a reputation for being loud, but it's louder at idle than my Mac Pro is at full tilt. Is this normal? Air out the back is cool and the radiator isn't warm after at least 30 minutes of uptime.

I used an endoscope to probe around for coolant leakage and so far everything looks pristine inside. Eventually I'll get the cooler out and inspect it more closely. I've seen videos on how to inspect a G5 LCS but does anyone here have videos or guides that they specifically like? If anyone has actually pulled one of these coolers/rebuilt it, do you have any tips or suggestions? Also, if I end up flushing it, do I need to use DexCool or could I use a less corrosive alternative?

 

[Winman486]

Hello all,

I recently got a G5 Quad. I have a few questions about getting it up and fully running:

I'd like to replace the boot HDD with an SSD - The computer didn't come with a optical drive and I don't have one lying around. Is there a way I can clone or "restore" the existing OS image (10.5.4) onto the SSD? If I wanted to install OS9, would I have to burn it to CD or is there another way of installing it? What about a PPC Linux distro?

The computer didn't come with an AirPort card. Do I have to get the late 2005-specific card or can I use a generic PCI wifi card? If I can use a PCI card, is there anything I need to know about getting it up and running?

I know the Quads have a reputation for being loud, but it's louder at idle than my Mac Pro is at full tilt. Is this normal? Air out the back is cool and the radiator isn't warm after at least 30 minutes of uptime.

I used an endoscope to probe around for coolant leakage and so far everything looks pristine inside. Eventually I'll get the cooler out and inspect it more closely. I've seen videos on how to inspect a G5 LCS but does anyone here have videos or guides that they specifically like? If anyone has actually pulled one of these coolers/rebuilt it, do you have any tips or suggestions? Also, if I end up flushing it, do I need to use DexCool or could I use a less corrosive alternative?

Personally I would use distilled water and would replace all of the O-rings and tubing. I would also suggest that you do take the CPUs out and make sure it has not leaked. Can you take the G5 cover off and show us the pump style?

 

[HappySausageDog]

Personally I would use distilled water and would replace all of the O-rings and tubing. I would also suggest that you do take the CPUs out and make sure it has not leaked. Can you take the G5 cover off and show us the pump style?

It's is a single pump model. When I get back I will take a picture of it.

 

[LaPorta]

Did you use the Tome Viewer to look at it?

 

[HappySausageDog]

LOL! Late night typing doesn't work so well for me. Is there a way to edit titles?

 

[joevt]

I'd like to replace the boot HDD with an SSD - The computer didn't come with a optical drive and I don't have one lying around. Is there a way I can clone or "restore" the existing OS image (10.5.4) onto the SSD? If I wanted to install OS9, would I have to burn it to CD or is there another way of installing it? What about a PPC Linux distro?

Use the Quad G5 to format the SSD - use Apple Partition Map.

You can remove the drives, attach them to a new Mac using an external USB to SATA enclosure, and use Disk Utility to clone the HFS+ partition that contains 10.5.4.

Maybe you can use FireWire Target Disk Mode to access the HDD and SDD on another Mac while they are still in the Quad? But it's not as fast and new Macs don't have FireWire (though you can get Thunderbolt to FireWire adapters).

G5's can't boot OS 9 but OS 9 can be installed using the Classic mode/environment in Mac OS X 10.4.11. I think you just need a Mac OS 9 installer disk image?

I think Mac Rumors has info on PPC Linux distros in the PowerPC Mac forum.