Replacing PMG5's SuperDrive

[brianus]

Hi, does anybody have any suggestions for replacing a PowerMac G5's SuperDrive? The drive my boss's 2004 1.8GHz dual G5 came with has been having more and more trouble reading discs, particular DVD-Rs. I'm not entirely sure if this is just a hardware problem or if it had anything to with our upgrade to Tiger a few months ago; but I don't know how I would go about finding out which it is, and in any case, we're all up to date with Software Update so there's probably not much more we could do besides replace it.

So, any particular models you could recommend? Thanks

 

[topgunn]

Apple typically uses Pioneer drives in the Power Macs for the DVD burners. The DVR-610 is the lastest from Pioneer and will work well with your bosses Power Mac. It can be had for around $40 or so online.

 

[iPhil]

Apple typically uses Pioneer drives in the Power Macs for the DVD burners. The DVR-610 is the lastest from Pioneer and will work well with your bosses Power Mac. It can be had for around $40 or so online.

Or here:

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/optical-drives/superdrives/powermac/


if you can't find the Pioneer DVR-610 model then try link above

 

[brianus]

Or here:

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/optical-drives/superdrives/powermac/


if you can't find the Pioneer DVR-610 model then try link above

How does the DVR-110D on that site compare to the 610?

 

[iPhil]

How does the DVR-110D on that site compare to the 610?

I don't know any info. on the 610 model but like i said earlier "IF you can't find the 610 model from Pioneer" go for the Macsales.com site..


Use these
high-quality,
bootable SuperDrives
in any Apple Models:
• G3 Beige
• G3 Blue and White
• G4 "Yikes"
• G4 AGP "Sawtooth"
• AGP Graphics
• G4 GigaBit Ethernet
• G4 Digital Audio
• G4 "QuickSilver"
• G4 Mirror Drive Door
• PowerMac G5
• eMac G4
• iMac G4


I've bought some products from them (OWC) aka macsales.com they've been good .. so what I'm saying is if you can't find the Pioneer DVR-601 model on the net,then go for Macsales.com the list above is of Macs Compatible with the Superdrives listed on the site..

 

[topgunn]

What OWC and other sell is the Apple branded drive from Pioneer which carries a different numbering system. The 110 and and 610 are the same drive.

 

[MRU]

I bought a bog standard Pioneer 110D. Beige Model.

Installation is fairly easy. Unlock the HD (there's two clips/hinges on the inside of the G5 case) carefully slide out and unplug the cables. Powercable can be fiddly to dislodge.

I flashed my Pioneer with the lastest firmware from their website. Did this on a pc, though you can do it on a Mac with DVR-Flash (http://www.xlr8yourmac.com)

Remove the drive lid as this may catch on the powermac case (simply look at the black one your replacing to see what you need to take off) and then slide it back into the case and plug in the cable and lock the hindges.

In all took me about 15-20 minutes.

Toast 7 full recognises the drive and all the iLife apps are working a treat.
DVD studio pro burns without a hitch....

Simple and the best upgrade I've bought for the mac for the price..

 

[brianus]

Whelp, I bought a 610, installed it and.. nothing. It won't recognize any disc I put it in, usually popping them out after 30 seconds or a minute. It shows up in System Profiler as a 110D, firware revision 1.17, but other than that it's unusable. Unfortunately my boss has returned so there's not a whole lot I can do right now while the machine's in use.. so what should I do when I get another chance? Is there any reason this thing shouldn't be fine out of the box with the 1.17 firmware?

I haven't had any problems with the 'drive lid' (I assume you mean the front black faceplate?); tray opening and closing works fine from the keyboard.

Interestingly, my boss's computer is the same model as the G5 you list there (dual 1.8GHz)

I bought a bog standard Pioneer 110D. Beige Model.

Installation is fairly easy. Unlock the HD (there's two clips/hinges on the inside of the G5 case) carefully slide out and unplug the cables. Powercable can be fiddly to dislodge.

I flashed my Pioneer with the lastest firmware from their website. Did this on a pc, though you can do it on a Mac with DVR-Flash (http://www.xlr8yourmac.com)

Remove the drive lid as this may catch on the powermac case (simply look at the black one your replacing to see what you need to take off) and then slide it back into the case and plug in the cable and lock the hindges.

In all took me about 15-20 minutes.

Toast 7 full recognises the drive and all the iLife apps are working a treat.
DVD studio pro burns without a hitch....

Simple and the best upgrade I've bought for the mac for the price..