Need new Optical Drive - which one?

[Patth9]

Tried my best to figure this out on my own, can't seem to find an the answer.

Will this Optical Drive fit/work on my G4 MDD?
Lite-On 24X SATA Internal DVD+/-RW Drive Optical Drive IHAS124-14 + Nero 12 Essentials Burning Software + Sata Cable Kit

Machine Name: Power Mac G4
Machine Model: PowerMac3,6
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (3.3)
Number Of CPUs: 2
CPU Speed: 1 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU)256 KB
L3 Cache (per CPU):2 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 133 MHz
Boot ROM Version:4.4.8f2
Serial Number: XB23314MMUM
Sales Order Number:M8787LL/A

Still using my old G4 as buying new programs for the NEW Macs, is not only costly, but way too time consuming.

Patt

 

[eyoungren]

Unless you have a PCI SATA card add on then the answer is no. You need an optical drive with a PATA (IDE) interface. The one you linked to is SATA.

 

[Patth9]

Thanks, I thought that was too easy. Guess I'll keep looking.
[doublepost=1491510884][/doublepost]I actually have a SATA card, but it only has one internal plugin being used and one external plugin. Bummer, I thought that was too easy.

 

[kge420]

I have a drive from my now dead iMac G4. To the best of my knowledge it works fine. Only issue is that this has no front plate, not sure if one is required for use on the G4 MDD. I'll be happy to send it to you if you can use it.
info:
Code DVR-104PC 678-0352 MFD. March 2002

 

[0248294]

I have a drive from my now dead iMac G4. To the best of my knowledge it works fine. Only issue is that this has no front plate, not sure if one is required for use on the G4 MDD. I'll be happy to send it to you if you can use it.
info:
Code DVR-104PC 678-0352 MFD. March 2002

The MDD one doesn't have a (complete) faceplate either, since the drive is hidden behind the mirrored doors, and ejection is done via software.

 

[Patth9]

Please for give my ignorance. I didn't know what you meant but Goggle did. My G4 still has the silver doors, but either way, if it works, why not? Tell me what's next.

661-2411-R Apple Original (DVR-104) PowerMac G3/G4 & iMac ...

I've still have the two doors that came with Optical Drives, perhaps I can use one of them.

 

[kge420]

I'll post some photos.

 

[Patth9]

Okay,

BTW, what is this "alert" I keep getting, where do I find it?
(nothing to do with my original questions.)

 

[kge420]

[doublepost=1491522837][/doublepost]No knowledge of the MDD Macs so if someone here can let me know if this drive will work in that machine ...
[doublepost=1491523014][/doublepost]

Okay,

BTW, what is this "alert" I keep getting, where do I find it?
(nothing to do with my original questions.)

Patt, best to start a new thread concerning this issue.

 

[QSDP-User]

No knowledge of the MDD Macs so if someone here can let me know if this drive will work in that machine ...

I don't own an MDD (but have plenty of drawbridge-door G3s & G4s towers),
but I think kge420's Pioneer DVR-104 would work perfectly in Patth9's MDD G4.
Plus Patth9's MDD would get an upgrade from a ComboDrive to a SuperDrive (burn's DVD-R, DVD-RW).

I agree with Daniël Oosterhuis: kge420's drive not having its own little face plate doesn't matter.

The only thing that MAY be different is the overall length between kge420's & Pattu9's drives.
Whether a longer drive won't fit in Pattu9's MDD, IF kge's drive is longer,
that's something Pattu9 will have to eyeball with her MDD's inside room.
I think a shorter drive will work with the MDD's existing IDE ribbon/power cable unless those are a very tight pull as is.

kge420's drive: Dimensions (W x H x D): 5 13/16" x 1 11/16" x 7 13/16"
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Professional/Computer-Drives/DVR-104+&+DVR-A04

EDIT: I should add that this Pioneer support page has generic albeit specified model info.
The Apple-branded units were same but had special firmware(?) for Apple burn support in Disk Utility & iTunes.
"PatchBurn" is a Do-It-Yourself upgrade that changed generic models to work as Apple-branded.
It was popular during the early days of OSX. Its webpage still exists.
http://www.patchburn.de/

 

[for this]

The face plate is not needed. Actually, if anything, it needs to be removed or sandpapered down (which I did with mine) so that it's smaller than the MDD door's opening to operate.

Correction: I meant the tray's faceplate (while people were talking about the drive's faceplate...)

For the SATA connection, you can use a SATA to IDE adapter but you have to find where to place it (such as the empty lower bay and you may need to wrap it with some material so that it won't contact the metal surface there and get shorted). A hassle yes but possible.

 

[Patth9]

I don't own an MDD (but have plenty of drawbridge-door G3s & G4s towers),
but I think kge420's Pioneer DVR-104 would work perfectly in Patth9's MDD G4.
Plus Patth9's MDD would get an upgrade from a ComboDrive to a SuperDrive (burn's DVD-R, DVD-RW).

I agree with Daniël Oosterhuis: kge420's drive not having its own little face plate doesn't matter.

The only thing that MAY be different is the overall length between kge420's & Pattu9's drives.
Whether a longer drive won't fit in Pattu9's MDD, IF kge's drive is longer,
that's something Pattu9 will have to eyeball with her MDD's inside room.
I think a shorter drive will work with the MDD's existing IDE ribbon/power cable unless those are a very tight pull as is.

kge420's drive: Dimensions (W x H x D): 5 13/16" x 1 11/16" x 7 13/16"
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Professional/Computer-Drives/DVR-104+&+DVR-A04

EDIT: I should add that this Pioneer support page has generic albeit specified model info.
The Apple-branded units were same but had special firmware(?) for Apple burn support in Disk Utility & iTunes.
"PatchBurn" is a Do-It-Yourself upgrade that changed generic models to work as Apple-branded.
It was popular during the early days of OSX. Its webpage still exists.
http://www.patchburn.de/

THANK YOU
QSDP-User

Sorry for my reply delay, didn't think anyone else had answered. I will certainly copy paste your instructions and give them a try. Thanks again
[doublepost=1491625028][/doublepost]

The face plate is not needed. Actually, if anything, it needs to be removed or sandpapered down (which I did with mine) so that it's smaller than the MDD door's opening to operate.

For the SATA connection, you can use a SATA to IDE adapter but you have to find where to place it (such as the empty lower bay and you may need to wrap it with some material so that it won't contact the metal surface there and get shorted). A hassle yes but possible.

Thank you
for this
I believe I have that SATA to IDE adapter working now with my main HD. Didn't know about wrapping it with material so it won't contact metal ... My backup external is
USB2.0 Hi-Speed/ SATA II Enclosure for 3.5” Serial ATA Hard Drive PHR-100SU

I have included a picture of the G4 showing the SATA to IDE adapter. I could move the current HD into the area with the yellow arrow which is IDE, and put the new SATA in it's place.

Glad I didn't miss your post.
Thanks for you reply!
Patt

The face plate is not needed. Actually, if anything, it needs to be removed or sandpapered down (which I did with mine) so that it's smaller than the MDD door's opening to operate.

For the SATA connection, you can use a SATA to IDE adapter but you have to find where to place it (such as the empty lower bay and you may need to wrap it with some material so that it won't contact the metal surface there and get shorted). A hassle yes but possible.

 

[for this]

After reviewing it, the easiest thing to do is buying another SATA PCI card (of course).

The second easiest is buying a SATA-IDE adapter, the one that attaches to the back of the drive (I'm not sure if the space allows it though—but newer optical drives tend to be shorter than the MDD's stock one, leaving more space at the back), like this:

Here is a diagram of using an "in-line" SATA-IDE adapter that I mentioned. It is quite involved. I've tried that and it worked. The in-line adapter works both ways, SATA to IDE and IDE to SATA. There are two SATA ports. I don't remember which port to use in this configuration.

These links are just for examples.

In-line adapter:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/IDE-to-SATA...390727?hash=item5d62abe407:g:oOEAAOSwWxNYr7RP

Male to male IDE cable:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/40-Pin-2-in...319411?hash=item3ce35951b3:g:CkYAAOSws65TpmIS

Right angled SATA cable without locking lever.
https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-Rig...667379&sr=8-3&keywords=right+angle+sata+cable

Right angled SATA power cable:
https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com...67497&sr=8-5&keywords=angled+sata+power+cable

 

[Patth9]

for this
https://forums.macrumors.com/members/for-this.934467/
Hope I have the correct reply person. I have all those adapter thingies, just waiting to be used.
What would we do without adapters???

 

[Patth9]

View attachment 695197 View attachment 695197 View attachment 695198
[doublepost=1491522837][/doublepost]No knowledge of the MDD Macs so if someone here can let me know if this drive will work in that machine ...
[doublepost=1491523014][/doublepost]

Patt, best to start a new thread concerning this issue.

THANK YOU
QSDP-User

Sorry for my reply delay, didn't think anyone else had answered. I will certainly copy paste your instructions and give them a try. Thanks again
[doublepost=1491625028][/doublepost]

Thank you
for this
I believe I have that SATA to IDE adapter working now with my main HD. Didn't know about wrapping it with material so it won't contact metal ... My backup external is
USB2.0 Hi-Speed/ SATA II Enclosure for 3.5” Serial ATA Hard Drive PHR-100SU

I have included a picture of the G4 showing the SATA to IDE adapter. I could move the current HD into the area with the yellow arrow which is IDE, and put the new SATA in it's place.

Glad I didn't miss your post.
Thanks for you reply!
Patt

[doublepost=1492047115][/doublepost]Good news, the gift (optical driver) that kge420
offered to send me arrive today and it works just fine.

See #9 above for more details. Perhaps this may help someone who may have my same question.