Author Topic: Mac dead for sure? Where\'s the hard drive? (Read 4418 times)

jjoan · « **on:** March 29, 2003, 09:30:00 AM »

My old 7100/66AV starts up with the blinking question mark. I can boot up from my 8.5 CD, but the hard drive icon doesn't appear on the desktop. I tried disk first aid, and the only volume shown is the Mac OS 8.5 CD. Norton Utilities startup yields the same results, the only drive available is the CD ROM.
No peripherals are hooked up to the computer. Just keyboard, monitor, mouse and power.

Is this it? Is it all over for this mac? I hate to give up. Any suggestions? Or should I just get over it? Thank you, Joan

kelly · « **Reply #1 on:** March 29, 2003, 09:39:00 AM »

It might be all over.

Turn it off and check the Cable connections to the Hard Drive.

It could be a bad or loose Cable.

swhitset · « **Reply #2 on:** March 29, 2003, 09:42:00 AM »

The hard drive may have failed. Although the 7100/66 has very little value, you could replace the hard drive very cheaply if you wish.

Steve

jjoan · « **Reply #3 on:** March 29, 2003, 09:52:00 AM »

1. Do you mean turn it off and open it up and see if the cable is loose? I don't think I'd know where to begin.
2. You say replacing the hard drive would be inexpensive? Where would I look for one, and is it something I could replace myself?
3. I remember that when we added more RAM to this relic, it took seven pages of faxed instructions/illustrations to to complete the simple task.

bobw · « **Reply #4 on:** March 29, 2003, 10:08:00 AM »

The 7100 has a SCSI Hard Drive, more expensive than an IDE.

You can download the Service Manual

swhitset · « **Reply #5 on:** March 29, 2003, 10:13:00 AM »

Bobw beat me back... unfortunately, he is right about the SCSI hard drive. You could probably find a used one on ebay, but I wouldn't spend too much on that 7100. It is just too old and slow to be worth much anymore.

Sorry I couldn't bring better news

Steve

kelly · « **Reply #6 on:** March 29, 2003, 10:20:00 AM »

Do you mean turn it off and open it up and see if the cable is loose?

Yes.

This might still be available.
IBM UltraStar 9GB SCSI for $29

http://dealmac.com/basement/articles/48018.html

Or this.

http://dealmac.com/basement/articles/46547.html

jjoan · « **Reply #7 on:** March 29, 2003, 10:21:00 AM »

Let it rest in peace. I took the cover off, looked at the hard drive, came back to Techsurvivors, and actually I'm happy to quit, but I do know that I've given it my best shot (thank all of you). I know it is super-slow, it isn't worth any more of my effort. Are there any parts i should scavenge before it hits the dumpster? --Joan

Roadguy · « **Reply #8 on:** March 29, 2003, 11:24:00 PM »

Ah....don't trash it. The drive is easy to replace. Yea I know it's slow by today's computers. Give it to someone. They make a nice computer for a first time user, especially small children and the computer novice. I've actually taken a couple 7100's and put bigger hard drives and RAM into them. They are now in the hands of people who love using them.

"My 2cents"

jjoan · « **Reply #9 on:** March 29, 2003, 12:54:00 PM »

I was trying to get it working for my friend's second grader. She's used to a mac (actually this particular mac, I finally talked her mom into an iMac), and loves Mavis Teaches Typing and PhotoShop. Can you point me in the right direction? I did look inside, and the hard drive is very accessable. We put a lot of ram (for those days) in it because we actually edited video on it. Where should I start to shop for a hard drive? It would be pretty sad to see it go into the dumpster. It will probably go back in the closet!

kelly · « **Reply #10 on:** March 29, 2003, 01:11:00 PM »

Joan. I posted a couple links to find one.

I'm sure Paddy can come up with others.

I've never worked on a 7100 but I doubt it's very difficult.

Gary S · « **Reply #11 on:** March 29, 2003, 01:20:00 PM »

Joan,
That one Kelly linked to is a really good deal for $29.00!

jjoan · « **Reply #12 on:** March 29, 2003, 01:31:00 PM »

Kelly, I'm sorry! I just discovered the links you posted. I'm not sure of the protocol for long links like this....I didn't know I could look back and find the answer right after my question, I kept looking at the last or latest reply. While I'm asking about etiquette and/or procedures, when does one begin a new topic, or close a topic? And what does close a topic mean? And I don't see where that option is, or is that an administrator's task? I really am a newbie. One of these days I might be brave enough to se one of the Instant Graemlins!--Joan

kelly · « **Reply #13 on:** March 29, 2003, 06:14:00 PM »

Joan. I miss people's posts sometimes.

Closing a Topic is just for the Admins.

It locks it so there can be no more replies.

Start a new Topic when you have a new subject.

It helps to keep the same discussion in the same "Thread".

But we're not real hard core about it.

Whatever works.

Come on Joan. Try a smilie or two.

neokm · « **Reply #14 on:** March 29, 2003, 07:33:00 PM »

If you own a screwdriver and subscribe to PayPal - - - send request to 'tegan43290MI@comcast.net'

Tom has what amounts to a 'basement full of 7100's' (must have come out of a school), and will sell you anything you need (ie a motherboard to me for $2) Take it from me, he has any part you need for next to nothing.

In my case - I wanted to keep my original Mac Performa 600CD alive. I dropped in one of his 7100/66av board and a NewerTech 300mhz for $100 (technowarehousellc.com) - he has hard drives and sticks as well. You'll be back in business with your first love.

Say hello to Tom for me.

Mike

PS - Hope I pass to the 'third grade' with this info.

[ 03-29-2003, 08:44 PM: Message edited by: neokm ]

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Author Topic: Mac dead for sure? Where\'s the hard drive? (Read 4418 times)