Best Place to Find DVD Burner for Power Mac G4?

[RogerWilco6502]

So a few years ago my Power Mac G4's burner decided to kick the bucket for good. It's a Pioneer DVR-103 model and I would really like to get a replacement that is at least as capable as that model. I would like it to be compatible with both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X as well. Does anyone know the best model for my uses and where I could find that?

 

[gsahli]

The DVD drives are "commodity" drives. Any IDE/PATA drive (NOT SATA) should work. You probably have to go to eBay to find them.
Or, you could buy a SATA drive and a cheap IDE cable to SATA adapter.

 

[TheShortTimer]

The DVD drives are "commodity" drives. Any IDE/PATA drive (NOT SATA) should work. You probably have to go to eBay to find them.

Or in my case, be lucky enough to find one left by the roadside along with a few IDE/PATA CD-ROM/RW drives.

Or, you could buy a SATA drive and a cheap IDE cable to SATA adapter.

That's probably the best bet.

Another but more costly option would be to install a PCI SATA card - which is something I've considered for when/if the spinners in my G4 fail and I don't want to pay a premium to replace them with further IDEs.

 

[eyoungren]

Another but more costly option would be to install a PCI SATA card - which is something I've considered for when/if the spinners in my G4 fail and I don't want to pay a premium to replace them with further IDEs.

I think cost depends on what you're looking for. If it's a compatible Sonnet card, sure - it's going to cost.

But you can pick up a PC version of a SATA card and flash it. There is a thread here on that. You want to find one with the SIL3112 controller chip.

I went this route and it cost me $10 including shipping. The card still works.

 

[TheShortTimer]

You want to find one with the SIL3112 controller chip.

I love this forum!

Ok, I've found one with the Sil3114 chip, is that no good?

 

[RogerWilco6502]

I will say I want to maintain the ability to boot from it and I've heard that not all SATA optical drives are bootable. Also, one of the spare DVD burners I had lying around would refuse to work on OS X and freeze OS 9. What should I look for to avoid that?

 

[eyoungren]

I love this forum!

Ok, I've found one with the Sil3114 chip, is that no good?

I would read through here first: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/guide-to-flashing-pc-sil3112-sata-cards-for-mac.1690231/

There is some mention of 3114 but I'm not sure if that will work or not. I know the OP calls for 3112.

 

[eyoungren]

I will say I want to maintain the ability to boot from it and I've heard that not all SATA optical drives are bootable. Also, one of the spare DVD burners I had lying around would refuse to work on OS X and freeze OS 9. What should I look for to avoid that?

One option might be to purchase a dead G4 off eBay. One for parts. You could scavenge the drive out of that Mac.

 

[RogerWilco6502]

One option might be to purchase a dead G4 off eBay. One for parts. You could scavenge the drive out of that Mac.

Yeah, that is a good option. If I get the right model, I can also guarantee OS 9 compatibility.

 

[bobesch]

A DVD-Drive in an external FireWire-case will do fine as well. Can be used for booting and is versatile to be connected to other Macs. And it might be easier to replace the drive, that's inside the FireWire-Case.
The drive "to rule them all": my old "LG GSA-5163D" proved to work fine with a CubeG4 and it is able for booting and system-installation (bought it in about 2005 as external USB-drive for my old PC and I was quite happy, when I realized, it worked with PPC/FireWire too.)

 

[RogerWilco6502]

A DVD-Drive in an external FireWire-case will do fine as well. Can be used for booting and is versatile to be connected to other Macs. And it might be easier to replace the drive, that's inside the FireWire-Case.
The drive "to rule them all": my old "LG GSA-5163D" proved to work fine with a CubeG4 and it is able for booting and system-installation (bought it in about 2005 as external USB-drive for my old PC and I was quite happy, when I realized, it worked with PPC/FireWire too.)

Thank you! I'll try to look for that

 

[TheShortTimer]

A DVD-Drive in an external FireWire-case will do fine as well. Can be used for booting and is versatile to be connected to other Macs. And it might be easier to replace the drive, that's inside the FireWire-Case.
The drive "to rule them all": my old "LG GSA-5163D" proved to work fine with a CubeG4 and it is able for booting and system-installation (bought it in about 2005 as external USB-drive for my old PC and I was quite happy, when I realized, it worked with PPC/FireWire too.)

That's another good option too and its reminded me that I have a LaCie FireWire/USB CD-ROM and I could replace the CD-ROM drive with a DVD unit and then use that with my iBook G3 under FireWire 400, which is leagues faster than USB1.1 and so could be used for DVD playback, among other things.

 

[1042686]

That's another good option too and its reminded me that I have a LaCie FireWire/USB CD-ROM and I could replace the CD-ROM drive with a DVD unit and then use that with my iBook G3 under FireWire 400, which is leagues faster than USB1.1 and so could be used for DVD playback, among other things.

I have one of these as well and it is a good solution albeit a big fat clunky one . They also make for a functional FW hdd enclosure in a pinch. I’ve never had a replacement optical drive not be found by OS9 or OSX. They’ve always just worked out of the box for me, so well supported in both OS from my experience.

I’ve scored all my spare drives OOB at my local thrift for a few bucks. Always handy to have one or two around. The last one actually was a boxed NOS Cd/dvd lightscribe burner for all of $4 bucks iirc which was a cool pick up.

 

[RogerWilco6502]

I have one of these as well and it is a good solution albeit a big fat clunky one . I’ll say this - I’ve never not had a replacement optical drive be found by OS9 or OSX. They’ve always worked out of the box for me, so we’ll supported in both OS from my experience. I wouldn’t worry too much - just stick what ya got in there.

I’ve scored all my spare drives OOB at my local thrift for a few bucks. Always handy to have one or two around. The last one actually was a boxed NOS Cd/dvd lightscribe burner for all of $4 bucks iirc which was a cool pick up.

Really? I've had nothing but trouble with replacements

I guess my best bet if I want to try to find a good replacement is to do what you're doing and try to find them cheaply.

 

[1042686]

Really? I've had nothing but trouble with replacements

I guess my best bet if I want to try to find a good replacement is to do what you're doing and try to find them cheaply.

Hah you caught me mid edit lol. Yeah man I guess I’m lucky but have not once had a compatibility issue with a swapped optical drive. It’s worth noting I run primarily 10.5.8 & os9lives build. Anyhoo, when I look at eBay prices for used optical drives and I see what you can pick them up at thrifts for, eBay asking prices seem absurd. If you’re not in a hurry & like to hunt, you can run into some great deals at thrifts. Heck, I’ve picked up entire PC boxes for 5-10 bucks just to pull the guts n bits off it for projects/refurbs & recycle the rest.

Of course Yanno how it goes - when you’re looking for something you can never find it

 

[Alexis Trinquet]

I will say I want to maintain the ability to boot from it and I've heard that not all SATA optical drives are bootable. Also, one of the spare DVD burners I had lying around would refuse to work on OS X and freeze OS 9. What should I look for to avoid that?

If your SATA card has a bootstrap ROM (or its own BIOS/ROM), you should be able to boot from a DVD drive connected on it. Same deal with SCSI cards, it has to have its own BIOS to be "bootable".

The drive itself is just a drive. It's the card or controller that is connected to that matters.

Though the only problem I can think of is when burning disks, OSX might not recognize it well, if you are running 10.4 or 10.3, you will have to install PatchBurn. OS X 10.5 doesn't need to be patched, it should work with any DVD burner. I'm not sure about OS 9 however.

 

[TheShortTimer]

I have one of these as well and it is a good solution albeit a big fat clunky one . They also make for a functional FW hdd enclosure in a pinch. I’ve never had a replacement optical drive not be found by OS9 or OSX. They’ve always just worked out of the box for me, so well supported in both OS from my experience.

Ditto!

I’ve scored all my spare drives OOB at my local thrift for a few bucks. Always handy to have one or two around. The last one actually was a boxed NOS Cd/dvd lightscribe burner for all of $4 bucks iirc which was a cool pick up.

Wow! I too scored a LightScribe some months back. I found mine in a gutted PC that was dumped in the communal refuse collection zone (I've obtained so much tech that way). It was strange and disturbing that the owner had removed the motherboard but not the HDD. I'm planning to use the burner to replace the dead IDE/PATA one in my Mac Pro 1,1. It's nice how those things work out.

Anyhoo, when I look at eBay prices for used optical drives and I see what you can pick them up at thrifts for and eBay asking prices seems pretty absurd to me.

eBay is increasingly a location where bargains have taken on miracle status. You can still find the occasional gem but they're dwindling amongst the delusional chancers who think they can sell a 286 for £1,000 GBP just because it's "retro." These days, I look elsewhere for most of my tech hunts.

If you’re not in a hurry & like to hunt, you can run into some great deals at thrifts.

Especially when you build up a good relationship with the staff. During my last trip to my favourite one, I found myself insisting that they'd grossly undercharged me and I felt guilty.

Heck, I’ve picked up entire PC boxes for 5-10 bucks just to pull the guts n bits off it for projects/refurbs & recycle the rest.

Same here. I used to buy old PCs at flea markets for next to nothing and then pull any parts of significance (sound cards, burners etc.) to upgrade my working machines. A main PC was partially built this way.

Even better is when you come across things at random for free: in the past two years, I've also found a fully working ThinkCentre, an LED HDTV, games consoles, a PVR, an iMac G5 that was wrecked but contained loads of apps on its HDD and RAM that I recycled into my Mini to upgrade it to 1GB and much much more. In some cases, I've had to pass up on things because I couldn't justify taking it as someone else in need might benefit from it.

 

[RogerWilco6502]

Hah you caught me mid edit lol. Yeah man I guess I’m lucky but have not once had a compatibility issue with a swapped optical drive. It’s worth noting I run primarily 10.5.8 & os9lives build. Anyhoo, when I look at eBay prices for used optical drives and I see what you can pick them up at thrifts for, eBay asking prices seem absurd. If you’re not in a hurry & like to hunt, you can run into some great deals at thrifts. Heck, I’ve picked up entire PC boxes for 5-10 bucks just to pull the guts n bits off it for projects/refurbs & recycle the rest.

Of course Yanno how it goes - when you’re looking for something you can never find it

I'd like to do that, I love to hunt for just the right thing. It's the thrill of the chase that makes it worthwhile

If your SATA card has a bootstrap ROM (or its own BIOS/ROM), you should be able to boot from a DVD drive connected on it. Same deal with SCSI cards, it has to have its own BIOS to be "bootable".

The drive itself is just a drive. It's the card or controller that is connected to that matters.

Though the only problem I can think of is when burning disks, OSX might not recognize it well, if you are running 10.4 or 10.3, you will have to install PatchBurn. OS X 10.5 doesn't need to be patched, it should work with any DVD burner. I'm not sure about OS 9 however.

Ok, thanks for the tip

Same here. I used to buy old PCs at flea markets for next to nothing and then pull any parts of significance (sound cards, burners etc.) to upgrade my working machines. A main PC was partially built this way.

Even better is when you come across things at random for free: in the past two years, I've also found a fully working ThinkCentre, an LED HDTV, games consoles, a PVR, an iMac G5 that was wrecked but contained loads of apps on its HDD and RAM that I recycled into my Mini to upgrade it to 1GB and much much more. In some cases, I've had to pass up on things because I couldn't justify taking it as someone else in need might benefit from it.

One of the only flea markets around here charges way more than what I'm willing to pay for what are probably seven+ year-old systems at this point and they probably have SATA everything >.>

 

[DearthnVader]

OS 9 compatibility can be a mixed bag:

DVD player will only work with an internal ATAPI drive, tho there may still be a patch to make it work with external drives, if you can find it.

OS 9's built in Disc Burn only works with Apple shipped drives, and I don't know of any way to patch it, like Patch Burn does for OS X.

If you don't need to use those two things, you intend on using Toast for OS 9, just find a drive supported by Toast and be done with it.

 

[RogerWilco6502]

OS 9 compatibility can be a mixed bag:

DVD player will only work with an internal ATAPI drive, tho there may still be a patch to make it work with external drives, if you can find it.

OS 9's built in Disc Burn only works with Apple shipped drives, and I don't know of any way to patch it, like Patch Burn does for OS X.

If you don't need to use those two things, you intend on using Toast for OS 9, just find a drive supported by Toast and be done with it.

Ok, thanks! I want to have the DVD player working, so I'll be sure to get an ATAPI drive. I don't need Disc Burn though, as Toast is better for me in every respect.

Do you know where I could find a list of Toast-supported drives?

 

[1042686]

This is neat.

Used Yamaha CRW-8824IX Firewire CD-RW Drive + CDs

www.shopgoodwill.com

Not my auction.

 

[RogerWilco6502]

This is neat.

Used Yamaha CRW-8824IX Firewire CD-RW Drive + CDs

www.shopgoodwill.com

Not my auction.

That's pretty cool! I'm a bit wary of untested optical drives though.

I did find this linked from that page, which was interesting and random

Used Vintage Commodore Model N60 SN 007832 Calculator

www.shopgoodwill.com

I love calculators and I love Commodore

 

[Project Alice]

That's pretty cool! I'm a bit wary of untested optical drives though.

I did find this linked from that page, which was interesting and random

Used Vintage Commodore Model N60 SN 007832 Calculator

www.shopgoodwill.com

I love calculators and I love Commodore

I like this. I used to have a similar device. If I were to get that, I'd stick a DVD-RW drive in it. The drive inside it is just a standard IDE drive with an IDE to FW400 controller.

 

[RogerWilco6502]

I like this. I used to have a similar device. If I were to get that, I'd stick a DVD-RW drive in it. The drive inside it is just a standard IDE drive with an IDE to FW400 controller.

Good point! The primary potential point of failure is the drive, not the controller

 

[DearthnVader]

Ok, thanks! I want to have the DVD player working, so I'll be sure to get an ATAPI drive. I don't need Disc Burn though, as Toast is better for me in every respect.

Do you know where I could find a list of Toast-supported drives?

Just about any ATAPI drive should work with Toast, whatever compatibility list they had is likely long dead along with OS 9 support.

ATAPI and CD/DVD burning is pretty much standard as far as Toast goes, you'd be hard presses to find a drive it doesn't support.

I had a cartage load SCSI CD burner in my PM8600 and toast fully supported it, I've never found a drive it didn't support, but I suppose it could happen, it's just not likely.

DVD player for OS 9 on the other hand maybe a little more picky, tho on a New World Mac with native ATAPI it should not be an issue, so long as it's on the built-in bus.

iDVD on the other hand, for OS 9, will not work on anything that isn't an Apple shipped drive, tho it could likely be hacked.