XServe RAID upgrade to 750GB drives

[Tom Bevington]

Great and helpful series of posts….

Just bought a G4 Xserve with two 60GB drives (Seagate Barracuda ATA V types – model ST3600015A) and two empty drive tray slots for $100.

I’m new to Mac server hardware and my jaw dropped when I saw what Apple wants for drives.

I’m trying to locate a source of two empty drive sleds into which I can put some newer, high-capacity drives.

I’m thinking if I can put 4 new 250 to 750 GB drives into this old G4 it could be a great platform for a home media server and content mgmt system I’ve been wanting to build – especially if the four drives were RAID-ed.

Any suggestions/hints on where I can obtain inexpensive drive sleds, and instructions on locating/installing/configuring newer/compatible non-Apple drives would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!

Tom
tcb@hughes.net
951.776.0398

[Joe Novello]

John,

Been reading the thread re: upgrading XRAID to 750GB drives.
In September, I bought a Seagate SEAST3750640A, thinking I’d do a test. Then it turned out I had to keep my XRAID going until I finished a project – last month. Now, I’ve realizedI did a dumb thing buying only 1… because I need a minimum of 2 matched drives to make a Volume. I haven’t been able to find another matching drive – very scarce – OWC is backordered and the price jumped up $100! So, if you’ve got access to more 750s, I’m interested, if not, I’ve got one to sell.

[John Christie]

Hi Joe

We stocked up on 750s a while ago when we heard that IDE drives were being phased out. I’d look at buying a bunch if you can find them to squeeze a few more years out of your Xserve raid.

Cheers

John C

[Joe Novello]

John,

Thanks, for the feedback. I be interested in buying 1 from you for now if your willing to part with one.
BTW, it sounds as if you, like us, are trying to keep your investment in XRAID running longer.

We’re on XSAN 1 and I’m another of those angry users who can’t believe Apple want’s to hit us for another $1G per seat to upgrade to XSAN 2.

We’re running FCP with 10.4.11 right now and considering an upgrade to XServe Leopard, upgrading the clients to Leopard and staying with XSAN 1.4. But I’m hesitant after reading all the posts and still being unable to get a good fix on it. Got any wisdom you can share?

Joe N

[John Gyldstrand]

Joe,
This is a very hard drive to find anymore you may just have to go online, I have a half dozen ST3500630A’s 500 GB’s if your interested. Sorry I could not be of assistance on the 750. Let me know if you need help with anything else.
Cheers
John G

[Dennis Drooger]

Hi I noticed you mentioned you have a source for Xserver RAID drives. I have one bank that I would like to fill. Any information you could provide would be appreciated.

[John Gyldstrand]

Dennis,I no longer have the 750 gb IDE drives they have become all but impossible to obtain. Sorry JG.

[Phil Goldsmith]

We have brand new and ex-demo (< 750hrs) original Apple 750Gb drives in carriers - have about 100 of each https://www.scrumpymacs.co.uk

[Roger Thomas]

check on ebay for new seagate 750gb IDE PATA drives

search

750gb IDE pata

good luck

[Dennis Rosenblatt]

please email me about pricing and avail for xserve replacement drives.
thanks!
dr
nearlyfamous@mac.com