[G4] Re: Super Duper Cloning software/Stuck-time for decisions

[Marla]

Thank you all SO much. I must admit I am slightly
overwhelmed by the quantity and slightly varying
nature of the advice. But what a great forum!

Though I am sorely tempted to just say what the f---,
let's just upgrade the firmware on the old drive, it's
behaved beautifully since Disk Warrior did its thing,
I think installing the new drive first sounds good to
me. But can I get a free download of OS9? I don't have
it on a disk - so how do I "fit a new drive, and
install OS 9" if my old drive is temporarily out of
the picture?

Also, I am not sure it's true about firmware  having
to go from OS 9 only, because I remember looking up
which upgrade to do and there was one for my specific
phase of OS/firmware, which is  OS version of 10.2.8,
and firmware/Boot Rom is 3.1f1...

Hmm. Then there is the question of which drive to get.
What do you guys think of this one:

Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 Ultra ATA/100 120-GB Hard
Drive model #ST3120213A

Is my machine even capable of utilizing the 7200rpm
speed?   Oh, I just had a worry maybe that drive is
only formatted for PCs, not macs... Any specific drive
model to recommend? 

Thanks again,

Marla

--- John Niven <senseamp at yahoo.com> wrote:

> 
> --- Marla <mitchnickpictures at yahoo.com> wrote:
> > But is it really OK to upgrade my firmware (I
> > already
> > know which versions I have and need) on this old
> > drive? It does seem the simplest thing, but
> someone
> > told me that in rare cases, upgrading your
> firmware
> > can render your machine useless...
> 
> Firmware is stored in Flash memory on the
> motherboard.
> Flash memory can retain it's data without power,
> just
> like a ROM, but it has the possibility to be
> re-programmed. During the process of re-programming
> the contents must first be completely erased, before
> the new data is written. If the process is
> interupted,
> i.e. you have a power outage, before the Flash is
> re-programmed, then your motherboard will not have
> the
> correct instructions to boot up from. Hence the dire
> warnings. 
> 
> The new data for the firmware is, however, coming
> from
> your harddrive. Another risk is that in the instant
> that you need your drive to boot the machine and
> write
> the firmware - it dies.....
> 
> So I like the suggestion to fit a new drive, install
> OS 9 (you have to update from 9), and update your
> firmware with your "new" system. You should then be
> in
> good shape to install Tiger on the new drive.
> 
> Before installing Tiger on the new drive, re-install
> your old hard drive so both are connected (ask if
> you
> are unsure about this). 
> 
> Boot from the Tiger Install disk and install on the
> new drive. During this process Tiger will offer to
> import your applications and settings automatically.
> I
> haven't used this myself, but I remember the option.
>  
> 
> I say take a deep breath and do it (unless there is
> a
> thunderstorm :-). 
> 
> Cheers,
>             John
> 
> 
>  
>
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