Powermac G5 Superdrive is packing up

[Founder_film]

Over the last week or so I have realised my Superdrive on my Powermac is starting to do funny things. It wont recognise DVDs all of the time and sometimes wont even eject. As my powermac is about 3 years old now I am not totally suprised. I have been looking about on the internet for a replacement but all the stores selling mac upgrades etc are selling DVD RW drives for like £100!! So does anyone know where I can get a list of compatable DVD drives for Powermac G5's? I did a quick google but didn't really find anything. Thanks.

 

[deano]

overclockers

used a pioneer in my G3 without any issuse's

 

[Will_3rd]

you should be able to use any old ATA drive iirc, but I remember you need an Apple ROM in it to do certain stuff that's why the drive your found where so expensive...could be wrong though

 

[artaxerxes]

Just look for drives compatable with Toast - these have the complete apple support.

So anything bundled with Toast is golden. Then just find the OEM bare drive.

 

[tehgazza]

get any pioneer... they are apple superdrives and allow you to do all apple built in stuff without using hacks to trick os x

 

[Founder_film]

So if I got a pioneer all I would have to do is remove the bevel from the drive tray, secure it in the case and plug it in? And the eject function though OS X (i.e. pressing the eject button on my keyboard) will all work?

 

[tehgazza]

yes... apple superdrives are just pioneers... so just get a 111D from OCs

 

[Founder_film]

ok thanks, i will get one when i get some money through.

 

[tehgazza]

only about 20 quid.... oh... actually its the 112 now...

 

[Logsi]

This isn't right though.

My PowerMac G5 drive also messes up.

I looked at the drive to investigate and found its a thinner drive tray iirc, so a normal PC wont work.

Can you just remove the front bezel of the drive tray?

Josh

 

[Deleted member 329]

maybe get an external usb one?

 

[FreeStream]

I had to replace my DVD drive in my PowerMac G4

I have two DVD-RW DL in there now

I would just buy a normal DVD drive and hack the bits off until it fits again

 

[Founder_film]

This isn't right though.

My PowerMac G5 drive also messes up.

I looked at the drive to investigate and found its a thinner drive tray iirc, so a normal PC wont work.

Can you just remove the front bezel of the drive tray?

Josh

Take a look at these drives being sold from the states, to me the one at the bottom is the same just with the bevel and eject button taken off.

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/optical-drives/superdrives/powermac/

I am going to give it a go with one of the Pioneer 112's, and its only £20 if it doesn't work.

 

[punky_munky]

My friend has replaced his DVD drive in a Powermac G5, I recall him reflashiing the BIOS in it to make it work.

 

[tehgazza]

you can use apple firmwares if you can find them... they were available from the dangerous brothers for the 111

ADD: is it a matsush ita or a pioneer, the matsush ones are supposed to be crap, i find them really slow, my 111L will rip cd at 40x in itunes, on imac it wont even hit 20x with a matsushita one (i bet the swear filter will have a go at it....)