Mac mini G4 Combo Drive

[Buhtwheat]

I need to replace the combo drive in my Mac mini G4, and I'm seeking guidance on how to determine what drive will work. My mini is somewhat of an anomaly, as the box, and the serial number, shows that it should be a 1.25 gHz machine, but the System Profiler says it's 1.33 gHz. The Powermac build is 10,2, instead of the more common 10,1. The drive is a Panasonic model CW-8124-C. The other numbers on the drive are Combo 8124A, 678-0508B, and PA5290J76SHBA. I purchased a couple of drives that were listed as "compatible", but they weren't. They were marked CW-8123-C, number 678-0483F. So my question is: What numbers should I look for on a replacement drive, the CW- number, or the 678- number? Or should I look for something else?

 

[Intell]

You can use any slot loading optical drive from a G4 Powerbook, up to late-2008 non-unibody Macbook or any slot loading iBook to early-2008 Macbook Pro or G5 iMac to early-2008 iMac or any G4 Mini to mid-2007 Mini optical drive. What you need is a PATA slot loading drive. I suggest trying to locate an Intell iMac one as they are the newest, the easiest to find, and support the most burn profiles. The Macbook and Macbook Pro ones are slimmer than required for your Mini and may cause mounting problems, but can be used. The slot loading G3 iMac and G4 Cube optical drive cannot be used as they have a rotated ATAPI connector.

 

[Buhtwheat]

The two drives I purchased were both Powerbook take outs. They were compatible in the sense that they looked and fit like my old drive, but my mini wouldn't recognize either one. Based on that, I don't think that just any G4 Powerbook drive will work. That's why I included as much info about my Mac as I could.

Any other ideas?

 

[Intell]

I believe the G4 Minis had a shared IDE bus between the optical and hard drive. If the optical drive is not set to cable select or the correct master/slave, then it won't read. Check the optical drives for a switch, if either have one flip it and try that drive again. Powerbook drives do work in Mac Minis once set correctly.

 

[Buhtwheat]

Yes, the drives use a shared bus. I checked the drives I bought, and didn't see anything that looked like a switch. They're going back tomorrow.

 

[Cox Orange]

I read on Apple discussions forums, that when the last mini G4 with a DL-Superdrive came out, people tried to swap drives and though it was even the same model of drive, it wouldn't work, because Apple just changed the firmware on the model that enabled features that were already there.

What I did not understand is, why it affects the minis, when the firmware is on the optical drive itself.

Also same Powerbook model Apple-drives have another firmware than the mini drives. I also have a tech spec from a german vendor that I found via Google in which it says Drives from PowerBooks that have the same name like the Mac Mini drives will not work, because of differing firmware for each device.
This is the apple discussions thread I am talking about, btw. https://discussions.apple.com/message/1646341#1646341

You can differentiate Apple OEM drives by the C at the end. Example UJ-875-C.

macfixit sells a UJ-845, not stating which version and they say it is compatible to mac minis AND Powerbooks. I assume it is not a C version.

Many versions that end with -B but are from "windows"-laptops work in Apple laptops without problems. They are also cheap. On German ebay they go for 1-5 Euro, when the auction title does not state "apple".

Unfortunately I do not know for sure, which -B models work in Mac minis. But -C models from PowerBooks do not work in mac Minis and vice versa, it seems.

MODs note: I am really trying to help and am not advertising, though I am selling a version tha I know work in ibooks, PowerBooks, iMacs and MacBook Pros till 2008. I don't advertise, because I don't know, if they work in MacMinis and I don't claim that.

 

[Buhtwheat]

I've found a drive on ebay that has the same CW- and 678- numbers. It was pulled from an iMac model #A-1133. My mini is a model #A-1103. Does anyone think this will work?

 

[California]

I've found a drive on ebay that has the same CW- and 678- numbers. It was pulled from an iMac model #A-1133. My mini is a model #A-1103. Does anyone think this will work?

BTW you have a "silent upgrade" late 2005 Mac Mini.

I have a combo drive. There should be no problem with it, original Apple drive, PM me.

 

[stroked]

I believe the G4 Minis had a shared IDE bus between the optical and hard drive. If the optical drive is not set to cable select or the correct master/slave, then it won't read. Check the optical drives for a switch, if either have one flip it and try that drive again. Powerbook drives do work in Mac Minis once set correctly.

Yes, the drives use a shared bus. I checked the drives I bought, and didn't see anything that looked like a switch. They're going back tomorrow.

Just a guess, but I think you should be looking for jumpers, not a switch.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Jum...tchentablecomputers.com%2Fhdrive3.php;413;278

 

[Buhtwheat]

BTW you have a "silent upgrade" late 2005 Mac Mini.

I have a combo drive. There should be no problem with it, original Apple drive, PM me.

Just a guess, but I think you should be looking for jumpers, not a switch.

California: I can't PM you for some reason. And you're too late; I bought the drive on ebay. If it doesn't work, I'll be in touch.

Stroked: I didn't see anything that looked like a jumper, either.

 

[Intell]

Just a guess, but I think you should be looking for jumpers, not a switch.

ATAPI optical drives don't have jumpers, they have switches.

 

[Buhtwheat]

I got the new drive installed today, and... it works! My mini is whole again!