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Question

How to: transfer files off dead (power-wise) Wallstreet G3?

by Jan 8, 2014 4:31AM PST

I have an old G3 Wallstreet Powerbook I want to dispose of, and want to make sure the files on the drive are transferred (docs, mostly).

Unfortunately, the AC power port won't connect with any power input, and the battery is obviously long dead.

My thoughts were to crack it open, pull the hard drive and mount it in OSX. But it's likely a 3.5" SCSI drive, so interfacing is the issue.

I checked ebay for SCSI 3.5" enclosures, and was not seeing anything doable. I'm sure someone's basement has a few old external HD enclosures that might work, but I'm challenged making this happen.

I'm fairly good with the hardware handling (I've swapped out many a drive over the years).

How do you recommend I achieve this? Remember: I can't boot the damn thing.

Discussion is locked

5 Posts
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Answer
We need to find what drive it is first.
by Forum moderator Jan 8, 2014 4:57AM PST

There are great USB to SATA/IDE cables on amazon for under 20 bucks. I use the 2020 model.

However SCSI USB adapters are getting rare. In fact if I was to do this today I've pull up any desktop PC, buy the right scsi card and boot up a Linux LiveCD to copy the files over to some memory stick.

This might be cheaper than drivesavers.com

Not to pry (but I will), why didn't you have something on USB memory sticks or the cloud?
Bob

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Not sure what drive it is; it's old
by DBSeattle1999 Jan 8, 2014 2:58PM PST

So, I last used this in about 2001. No cloud, no memory sticks. I don't own a PC (just other Macs).

AFAIK, you can't just connect a drive of this sort without a power supply.

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Remember
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jan 8, 2014 3:07PM PST

The cheap exit may be to get a PC for the task. I looked around for USB to SCSI and it was over 400 bucks so that's not cheap enough. As to your power comment, the tools I use supply power but until you reveal the make/model of the drive I won't be able to craft a solution. I configured a lot of SCSI over the years so all I need is one detail. Pull the drive and read the make and model so we can move forward.

Again, you want to do this as cheap as possible so only those that impose limits on themselves tend to make it more expensive (such as using drivesavers.)
Bob

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OK, pause while I take the next step
by DBSeattle1999 Jan 13, 2014 1:27AM PST

It could be weeks before I come back to this, if I do. It's so very low priority. But I will go ahead and yank the drive. From there, if I can't move forward, I'll come back and pursue the next step. Thank you, Bob.

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The drive on this series were ATA so there is a chance
by mrmacfixit Forum moderator Jan 21, 2014 5:26AM PST

that this will fit into any of the IDE/ATA external cases and thus enable the retrieval of the documents.

No USB on this series either, that came a little later.

USB external hard drive cases, suitable for this drive, can be had in a number of places. Check out Amazon or eBay.
I'm betting Bob has a favorite place for this type of equipment.

P

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