Mac mini superdrive problem

[Alb1]

Hello,
I have been using my Mac mini PowerPC G4 (1.5) with satisfaction, but recently its superdrive (Matshita DVD-R UJ-845C, firmware rev. DPP9) stopped to pull inside any disc (despite I made use of it very seldom) and now I am in doubt if it is better for me to change it with a new one or leaving it unworking and make use of an external firewire optical drive (e.g. LaCie d2 DVD RW 22x ...). Any piece of advice is very wellcome.
Best Regards

 

[discounteggroll]

I'd just get a USB Bus powered DVD R/W from newegg, they're something like $30 after rebate and just last.

 

[Alb1]

I need a firewire DVD R/W as, in case of need, I could do the boot by means of it, as my Mac mini is a PowerPC one (I read that only Intel Mac can boot by means of USB optical drives).
By the way, what do you think about the Hamlet HEXD5UA-D DVD R/W ? It has both firewire and usb.

 

[philipma1957]

I need a firewire DVD R/W as, in case of need, I could do the boot by means of it, as my Mac mini is a PowerPC one (I read that only Intel Mac can boot by means of USB optical drives).
By the way, what do you think about the Hamlet HEXD5UA-D DVD R/W ? It has both firewire and usb.

are you in the uk or ireland? it uses 220 power. I would not be able to comment on it I don't think it sells in usa we have 110/120 power.

 

[eljanitor]

Why not just get a Bluray firewire external combo-drive, or superdrive? That way you can add Bluray capabilities to your mac. Just a thought.

 

[philipma1957]

Why not just get a Bluray firewire external combo-drive, or superdrive? That way you can add Bluray capabilities to your mac. Just a thought.

his mac is older i don't think blu-ray can work

 

[eljanitor]

Yup it might not work, or work minimally. Was just a thought.

 

[Alb1]

are you in the uk or ireland? it uses 220 power. I would not be able to comment on it I don't think it sells in usa we have 110/120 power.

I live in Italy, so no problems as we have 220 v power. What I was interested in is the quality of the device. At a first look it seems to me it is a firewire aluminium enclosure with a LG R/W optical drive inside (but I am not sure).
Best Regards