|
Replies
:
7
-
Pages
:
1
-
Last Post
:
Feb 20, 2006 4:40 AM
by: Alex Wegman
|
|
|
Posts:
190
Registered:
Nov 30, 2002
|
|
|
|
dvd / cd drive module just stopped working on g3 pb firewire
Posted:
Dec 30, 2005 10:36 AM
|
|
|
Hello,
The "PowerBook DVD-ROM Module" on my Firewire 500 MHz Powerbook has just stopped working for no apparent reason -- one minute it was working, the next it wasn't. Not working as in won't read/mount/recognize any DVDs or CDs. It makes sounds as if it's trying to read it I think but nothing ever mounts in the Finder. What could be wrong? Is there anything I can try before concluding it's broken? For example cleaning the lazer lense maybe? (I'm just guessing there).
TIA, John
g3 powerbook
Mac OS X (10.2.x)
|
|
Posts:
4,113
Registered:
Jul 27, 2000
|
|
|
|
Re: dvd / cd drive module just stopped working on g3 pb firewire
Posted:
Dec 31, 2005 8:38 PM
in response to: john cummin1
|
|
|
John,
Since the optical drives in these Pismos are failure-prone, you may have suffered one. But first reset the PRAM, then test:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238
If still no success, remove the drive, then re-seat it; now load a bootable 9.x or 10.x CD and restart while pressing the 'option' key. When the Startup Manager appears, see if the CD is one of the available boot volumes; if so, select it, then continue the boot.
PB 1400/117, PB G3/233 Wallstreet, iBook/800
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
|
|
Posts:
190
Registered:
Nov 30, 2002
|
|
|
|
Re: dvd / cd drive module just stopped working on g3 pb firewire
Posted:
Jan 4, 2006 9:38 AM
in response to: jpl
|
|
|
Thank you very much for the suggestions.
I have followed those instructions in full and any disks inserted into the DVD/CD drive so far have still failed to be visible / mount in anyway.
Is there any other possible courses of action that I could take that might possibly make the drive work again?
Cheers,
John.
g3 powerbook
Mac OS X (10.2.x)
|
|
Posts:
4,113
Registered:
Jul 27, 2000
|
|
|
|
Re: dvd / cd drive module just stopped working on g3 pb firewire
Posted:
Jan 4, 2006 12:32 PM
in response to: john cummin1
|
|
|
John,
I would try to find another Pismo or Lombard and swap drives; this will confirm the drive is at fault and not something further down the line like the logic board or power supply card (the optical drive plugs into this card).
I have never read of any successful repairs on these drives. I vaguely recall that the drive motor begins to fail on the model made by LG. You can check which drive you have in the System Profiler.
Take a look at this post for replacement ideas:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=295573&tstart=0
PB 1400/117, PB G3/233 Wallstreet, iBook/800
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
|
|
Posts:
190
Registered:
Nov 30, 2002
|
|
|
|
Re: dvd / cd drive module just stopped working on g3 pb firewire
Posted:
Jan 5, 2006 5:37 AM
in response to: jpl
|
|
|
MATSHITA is the make.
Thanks very much for all the useful and helpful info jpl.
Cheers,
John
g3 powerbook
Mac OS X (10.2.x)
|
|
Posts:
22
Registered:
Oct 27, 2005
|
|
|
|
Re: dvd / cd drive module just stopped working on g3 pb firewire
Posted:
Feb 14, 2006 10:38 PM
in response to: john cummin1
|
|
|
I have a curious issue with the Sony CRX820E combo drive on my Pismo.
The drive reads and writes fine, but after half-an hour or so of inactivity it needs re-seating to work. It's as if it just goes to sleep and forgets that it's there. Of course, if a disc were stuck in there a paperclip will open the drawer, but the drive won't be seen again by the computer until either a re-boot or the drive is flipped out and re-inserted (fortunately a very quick process with the Pismo).
If the drive is in this state of not working, it will prevent the computer from sleeping and the computer will just hang in limbo, until the combo drive is back and happy.
System profiler is aware of the drive's presence in all cases.
I've scoured the internet checking for firmware updates and performed various (apparently successful) disk permission repairs, etc.
Has anyone else had this issue?
As I said above, when the drive is working it works fine. No burning troubles or DVD reading problems.
Pismo 500
Mac OS X (10.4.4)
|
|
Posts:
4,113
Registered:
Jul 27, 2000
|
|
|
|
Re: dvd / cd drive module just stopped working on g3 pb firewire
Posted:
Feb 15, 2006 10:06 AM
in response to: Alex Wegman
|
|
|
Alex,
If you have not done so, I would first try running the built-in maintenance (cron) scripts and flushing all the caches; this has helped many black G3 powerbooks that have issues with the media bays.
You can download a freeware utility like Yasu or OnyX from VersionTracker and run these tasks. If you use OnyX which has many utilities, run only the maintenance and cache routines to see if this is the problem.
Also, if the drive does not boot a CD while pressing the 'c' key, there is a switch on it for master or slave...set it to master if you have not done so. I have no idea if this drive may behave as you describe if set to slave.
A reply with your results would be most appreciated.
PB 1400/117, PB G3/233 Wallstreet, iBook/800
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
|
|
Posts:
22
Registered:
Oct 27, 2005
|
|
|
|
Re: dvd / cd drive module just stopped working on g3 pb firewire
Posted:
Feb 20, 2006 4:40 AM
in response to: jpl
|
|
|
Thanks.
I've tried Onyx and Yasu's maintenance scripts on several occasions and the problem seems to remain.
Where does one find the master/slave switch on an optical drive? I've heard such a switch mentioned many times but it's not obvious to me.
Pismo 500
|
|
|
