Help in modifying my iBook G4

I have an iBook G4 12.1" 1.33GHz 1.5GB RAM and a 40 GB HDD that I would like to upgrade and modify.

1. I would like to install a SSD to decrease temperature, decrease read/write times, and to increase capacity.

2. I would like to install a wireless N adapter inside the computer. My idea is to remove the modem and the current airport card and put the adapter where those two would be. Does anyone think this could work?

3. Upgrade the current ODD to a superdrive.

4. Does anyone know if it's possible to install a mini-disc/mini-dvd reader/writer that would also leave room to separate the original dvd slot to create enough room for an SD card slot?

This all might sound crazy to everyone, and it sounds a little crazy to me as well, but I am having fun trying to figure out how to make this computer work a little bit better to extend its life long enough to get me through my undergraduate work and then grad school. Thanks for any help.

666sheep said:

1. Easiest will be PATA SSD, you can also put SATA 1.8" SSD with micro SATA do PATA adapter.
2. Not a big problem if you have soldering skills. Solder cable directly to USB port - like this: http://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/103882/USB+for+external+storage+is+broken Bigger problem will be routing the cable
3. Easy. If you need superdrive... PATA 12,7 mm one, like this – example only will work.
4. Forget it. Too small space, there's no PATA slot loaded miniDVD drive (correct me if I'm wrong), and at last – if first two is not enough, you'd need to sacrifice second usb port to connect card reader.

In general: if you've disassembled iBook before, 1-3 are quite easy to do. If not, it will be PITA.

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I don't have soldering skills, but I think I could figure it out. And I have not been able to find a miniDVD drive anywhere and so I don't think it exists. Vmedia had micro ODD that they were working on and trying to bring to netbooks and tablets, but they were purchased by a defense contractor and also usb sticks and flash drives are more reliable and don't require additional hardware.

And I was hoping to route the cable through the same slot that the existing airport card uses because I will no longer be using it for that purpose.

666sheep said:

PS 3 one does it too, but OP has miniDVD drive on their mind, to get some space for card reader. Not full size slot loading drive. At least this I've understood.

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I do have a miniDVD drive in mind, but I don't think one exists. I was even looking at the camcorders to see if I could work something out, but I know I don't have the skills to either modify or manufacture a miniDVD slot-loading drive.

666sheep said:

It should be good if you'll strip isolation of the cable.

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Sorry, but I don't know what that means.

666sheep said:

Sorry, it should be "insulation". Strip this thick one to leave only thin wires (which have their own insulation).

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Oh, ok. Or would anyone here recommend that I just remove the ODD and put a media card reader in that nice open space and remove little gray bezel-like piece around the opening so that I can put in a usb hub as well?

666sheep said:

In Polish it's exactly that same as in Dutch. Meaning varies depending on usage.



After removing this gray thing space will be still too narrow for USB plug I think. Some dremel job will be needed to make it wide enough. USB hub without enclosure should fit in ODD space. Ofc if it will be port powered one.

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The thing is that I am trying to save money and energy with this iBook and right now the battery gets me maybe 1.5 - 2 hours on a full charge. I wouldn't even care if I found a usb 1.1 hub that I could use for an SD card and other peripherals that don't necessarily require high speed. Does usb 2.0 require more power than 1.1 or is it negligible?

AND today I just realized how I could save money in regards to installing MAC OS X Leopard back onto the iBook. I previously cloned the HDD from my G5 iMac and simply restored the clone to the HDD in the iBook and now I have Leopard again. I don't know what the computer shop in my area did that was wrong, but when I had Leopard on it originally, it lagged like crazy and 1.5GB of RAM wasn't enough. Now it's incredibly stable and the enhancement to memory allocation is quite obvious and I don't have o use the "purge" command at all. And even though the OS X disc from my iMac didn't work to install the OS, it did work to install the applications and the developer tools.

So now I have the proper OS to make the wireless-n adapter work. Now I just need money.