iBook G4 to PowerBook G4 DVD Drive

[Altemose]

Will an optical drive from an iBook G4 work in a 1.5 GHz PowerBook G4? The SuperDrive in my G4 just died with my Tiger disk inside

 

[Intell]

Yes, you may have to make sure the master/slave switch on the back is set correctly or it won't be seen.

 

[Altemose]

Yes, you may have to make sure the master/slave switch on the back is set correctly or it won't be seen.

Now I just need to find one that isn't going to set me back an arm and a leg...

Thanks!

 

[Intell]

You can also use an optical drive from an G5-2008 iMac. The ones from Intell iMacs will give you more burning abilities. Don't use one from a Macbook, Macbook Pro, G4 Cube, or G3 iMac. Those are either too short or have their ATAPI connector rotated 180 degrees making it not usable in your machine. I suggest an 2007 or 2008 iMac one, they can be had the cheapest. Try to get a Pioneer one. They have the best track record for Intell iMac drives.

 

[Altemose]

You can also use an optical drive from an G5-2008 iMac. The ones from Intell iMacs will give you more burning abilities. Don't use one from a Macbook, Macbook Pro, G4 Cube, or G3 iMac. Those are either too short or have their ATAPI connector rotated 180 degrees making it not usable in your machine. I suggest an 2007 or 2008 iMac one, they can be had the cheapest. Try to get a Pioneer one. They have the best track record for Intell iMac drives.

Of course the one I have already from a MacBook won't fit... That would have been too easy and affordable

 

[Intell]

It will fit, it just won't be secured resulting in it flopping around inside the Powerbook. If you really, really need it to, it can be used. It only won't have any place to be secured with and/or the drive slot won't line up.

 

[Altemose]

It will fit, it just won't be secured resulting in it flopping around inside the Powerbook. If you really, really need it to, it can be used. It only won't have any place to be secured with and/or the drive slot won't line up.

I guess I will go with my USB external for a while until I can afford a new drive. Though I do need to get the disk out.

 

[Intell]

The drives are easy to open in order to remove the discs. Just do is slowly with a small screw driver. After the disc is removed, the drive may get stuck in a "disc inserted" state. This would only be a problem if you want to use that drive again. There's also the chance you can repair the drive. I've repaired about 15 of those silly optical drives. They aren't that hard to fix.

 

[Altemose]

The drives are easy to open in order to remove the discs. Just do is slowly with a small screw driver. After the disc is removed, the drive may get stuck in a "disc inserted" state. This would only be a problem if you want to use that drive again. There's also the chance you can repair the drive. I've repaired about 15 of those silly optical drives. They aren't that hard to fix.

The drive has good power as it spins up when the Mac is started, but the Mac doesn't see it at all in System Profiler.

 

[Intell]

That could be drive, cable, or controller failure. I've mainly fixed mechanical problems with slot loading optical drives.

 

[Altemose]

That could be drive, cable, or controller failure. I've mainly fixed mechanical problems with slot loading optical drives.

I will put the MacBook's drive in there for testing the board and cable but reinstall the PowerBook drive until I can order the part.

 

[Cox Orange]

You can also use an optical drive from an G5-2008 iMac. The ones from Intell iMacs will give you more burning abilities. Don't use one from a Macbook, Macbook Pro, G4 Cube, or G3 iMac. Those are either too short or have their ATAPI connector rotated 180 degrees making it not usable in your machine. I suggest an 2007 or 2008 iMac one, they can be had the cheapest. Try to get a Pioneer one. They have the best track record for Intell iMac drives.

I'd like to add, that also, Macmini G4 and PowerBook Drives with the exact same model will not work interchangable, because Apple put different Firmwares on there.

My tip is also (maybe first select a Mac seller site and browse through the Superdrive for modelnumbers) and search these on Ebay, but don't append the -C at the end for Panasonic/Matsushita drives, which is the sign for drives that came with Apple machines. The -B ones work without limitations, too and you can have them for 1-5 USD that people took from broken Windows-Laptops or servers (server drives from Matsushita/Panasonic will be recognised as -S, but work the same too).

 

[Altemose]

I'd like to add, that also, Macmini G4 and PowerBook Drives with the exact same model will not work interchangable, because Apple put different Firmwares on there.

My tip is also (maybe first select a Mac seller site and browse through the Superdrive for modelnumbers) and search these on Ebay, but don't append the -C at the end for Panasonic/Matsushita drives, which is the sign for drives that came with Apple machines. The -B ones work without limitations, too and you can have them for 1-5 USD that people took from broken Windows-Laptops or servers (server drives from Matsushita/Panasonic will be recognised as -S, but work the same too).

Thanks! That will help with my search...