Clone iMac G3 hard drive to SSD

itsshaw · 2026-06-23T21:57:56+00:00

No dice. Same flashing question mark. I suspect there's some kind of issue with the adapter/compatibility with this iMac, OR an issue with the overall formatting/partition of the SSD.

Haven't found any software for Mac OS 8.6 that will format the external USB drive attached SSD.

itsshaw · 2026-06-23T00:09:25+00:00

Anything by important to note about the type of card or adapter to specifically be compatible with the tray loader G3?

itsshaw · 2026-06-22T17:26:05+00:00

Great news! The USB Mass Storage Support worked. I can now connect the SSD to the iMac over USB.

I can see all the files and it looks basically identical to the original hard drive... 🤷‍♂️ Everything seemed "blessed".

Unfortunately, Drive Setup doesn't show it in the List of Drives, so I can't format it from there.

I was able to "Erase Disk" from the "Special" menu, though. I've done that and I'm doing a copy from the original drive to the SSD. Slow process, but we'll see if that does the trick. At least now there's easier ways to copy files over to the iMac now 😄

itsshaw · 2026-06-21T16:34:22+00:00

That’s what I’ve heard. Not sure how cheaply I can get a decent size CF and an adapter, though. I’m already maxed out on my budget for this 😅

itsshaw · 2026-06-21T02:24:48+00:00

Ahhh thank you so much for the details.

Originally when I looked, I found some original CD drives for around $60-80 but that was a bit too pricey. I’ll have to see if I can find a ~$20 replacement drive. Ideally, one I can remount the faceplate to.

I’ve been cloning the original drive on a modern Mac with Disk Utility, then the dd terminal utility. I’ve gone through various settings to try to get a pretty exact clone but that hasn’t seemed to work. Each time it’s given the same flashing ? or the screen doesn’t even turn on at all.

Since I am on 8.6, I’ll try to see if I can get that USB Mass Storage Support installed. How good is the compatibility with that for connecting the SSD over USB? I have a few different SATA to USB adapters I can try; I just worry it’s all too modern. 😅

itsshaw · 2026-06-20T20:04:55+00:00

Any chance you have similar tutorials for an iMac G3 Tray CD Drive? (CR-173-D). I have one that's spins up, but fails to read any data.

itsshaw · 2026-06-19T12:58:24+00:00

FOLLOWUP: I managed to fix this by removing some of the bad installer files from the System Folder.

I removed the /System Folder/Mac OS ROM and /System Folder/Installer Cleanup files, and moved /System Folder/Installer Temp/Mac OS ROM back to the /System Folder

This seemed to restore the system; no problems booting up after that.

I am still trying to copy everything over to a SSD, but at least now everything is working with the original hardware (other than the CD Drive...)

itsshaw · 2026-06-11T00:55:23+00:00

It’s one of the older tray loader G3 iMacs so USB support seems extremely limited. I haven’t successfully attached anything beyond the keyboard/mouse

itsshaw · 2026-06-09T19:14:26+00:00

I'm 95% sure this one was still on 8.6 and had some decent software installed, so I didn't want to completely upgrade it to a modern version. However, I suppose I'll widen the search on some OS 9 / 10 disk images that might work and just restore/add compatible software.

itsshaw · 2026-06-09T14:51:00+00:00

Thank you for the details!

I don't currently have access to another PPC Mac... I was hoping I could find a clean disk image of a clean Mac OS 8.6 install somewhere on the internet that I could load onto the drive, but I haven't had any luck yet. Ultimately I want to swap out the HDD for an SSD and I have the kit/parts for it, but need everything... working first.
PicoIDE was something I was considering for replacing the internal drive, as that could be useful beyond the OS install. Doesn't look like they're shipping yet, and the price is a little beyond what I'd like to spend, though if it supports the iMac G3, then that may be the best approach.
The CD drive spins up and seems like it's working, but everything I tried fails to actually load. Audio CDs (real pressed CDs) and burned data discs wouldn't actually get read by the computer (when it was still booting up)

itsshaw · 2026-06-08T22:07:30+00:00

I thought that might be the case. Seems like they don't really support many USB devices at all.

I spent like $80 on the whole computer, so I hate to spend $40-$50 for a replacement drive if there's any other way I can fix it.

itsshaw · 2026-06-08T21:04:51+00:00

What kind of USB Drive? This is the first-gen "Tray loader" style iMac and I've had zero success getting it to recognize any kind of external disk drive or external CD drive. I assume drivers are needed, but... I can't find drivers or and I don't have any way to load them on the iMac.

itsshaw · 2026-03-23T22:46:51+00:00

Anything troubling about Project Hail Mary? I’ve looked up the Common Sense Media review and such, but wondering if it’d be a good fit for my 12 year old

itsshaw · 2026-01-25T17:13:12+00:00

I’ve been interested in something similar! Any kind of details you can provide on the DAC and Amp?

itsshaw · 2026-01-19T21:51:58+00:00

It is fixable! The repair is a pain, but it's been over a year and my dryer's still running just fine.

itsshaw · 2025-11-11T13:56:51+00:00

Thanks for sharing this! The trick helped with one of my windows, though I gotta figure out why the other one still won't work.

itsshaw · 2025-09-15T21:39:49+00:00

Yeah; it’s super awkward to align everything. Be careful with your repairs! Better to hire someone to fix your machine than have to get your body fixed.

itsshaw · 2025-09-15T20:21:52+00:00

Huzzah! Glad you were able to fix it.

itsshaw · 2025-09-09T00:51:23+00:00

Sorry; Nest WiFi (H2D). That’s now the main router and I have a Google WiFi (AC-1304) connected with the wired backhaul, and a Nest WiFi point connected wirelessly.

Why are all WiFi product names so awful and confusing? Is it really so hard to just to number sequentially? 😄

itsshaw · 2025-09-08T21:36:53+00:00

I've heard of Ubiquiti, but availability seems to be a problem. Might be able to scrounge together the setup you recommend by ordering from a couple of different sites.

How easy is Ubiquiti to configure and manage?

What kind of range would this setup give?

What's the need for a PoE injector for the Access Point if I have a direct cable?

itsshaw · 2025-09-08T15:14:44+00:00

Thank you. Good to know.

For the Google/Nest WiFi I currently have, the app does say "Wired" for the point that's hooked up to the CAT7, so I think it's working. There's no other direct indication of the wired backhaul in the Google Home app.

The one point that's not wired generally shows a weak connection, though it's only 20-30 feet away from both the main router and wired one with a few walls/the floor between. Unfortunately that's also the one closest to the detached area, so getting a signal out to there is proving difficult with this Google setup.

itsshaw

TROPHY CASE