Chosen Solution
I have tried 6 different Hard Drives in this G4 but they won’t even show up to do anything with them,( install system, or anything else.) However it will run from an external drive.
I’m not expert whatsoever, but it sounds like your issue lies with the disk imaging hardware, or disc imaging reader within your internal hard drive ports. But your USB ports work just fine hence the ext hard drive is functional.
‘deep reset’ ???? - I think the G4’s still have that available - though youy’ve probably already tried it!!! - start her up holding down the power button but wait til after the 3rd ‘bing’ then release …..~ its been a while so I don’t remember if thats exectly how it goes …….. but the ‘deep reset’ certainlgy used to solve some G4 issues Update (02/04/2017) ..and of course that particular formatting may only apply to internal, not external, hard drives
ok ;( it is a pain indeed :) Well, maybe either its the connection between the internal hard drive and the logic board - or….somewhere I remember with G4’s that some hard drives have to have a really particular type of formatting - for some specific machines – I honk it only went for a few models. I got caught once and learnt about it but now have forgotten - so check specs again for the formatting of the hard drive…maybe :)
