Replacing Power Macintosh 5500 hard drive

#1 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 - 18:00 68kMLA

I'm sure this sounds silly, but how do you slide the hard drive out of the Power Macintosh 5500 chassis? I unlocked the visible release tab but it seems like the other side is stuck.

Thanks!

#2 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 - 18:16 68kMLA

are there any screws?

#3 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 - 18:21 68kMLA

nope, none are mentioned in the Service Source guide at this stage.

#4 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 - 19:02 68kMLA

Nope, just push up on the tab and pull out. It's possible that the hard drive was never touched, and after 10 years, it might take some force to get it out.

#5 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 - 19:26 68kMLA

Nope, just push up on the tab and pull out. It's possible that the hard drive was never touched, and after 10 years, it might take some force to get it out.

Alright, thanks! I'll try to use some long-nosed pliers.

#6 Fri, 14 Aug 2009 - 03:20 68kMLA

I've had the HDD out of my 5260 (which uses the same shell) a couple of times..I can back up what Gil said...you have to REALLY haul on the HDD to get it out...be gentle, don't break anything, but at the same time, really pull on the HDD. After 12 years they get stuck very easily.

#7 Fri, 14 Aug 2009 - 04:38 68kMLA

What I do is use a flathead screwdriver on the tab, and use it to get some leverage. Even then, it takes a LOT of force, and you can end up breaking the tab. :-/

#8 Fri, 14 Aug 2009 - 04:48 68kMLA

I can second what Gil and LCGuy have written. The plastic HDD sled used by Apple for IDE (as they were, so long ago) was/is different in detail from that for SCSI HDDs. It has a narrower 'tongue', and is easier to break if you rely simply on brute force for its withdrawal. Use the long-nose pliers on the tongue to lift it, and wiggle the sled from side to side. Even if you feel no perceptible movement you may succeed in loosening the bonds of affection between the sled and its rails. Then, keeping the tongue raised so that its pawl clears the retaining slot, draw the sled out with a sustained pull rather than a sudden jerk. You'll succeed in the end.

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