NEC ND-3540 in G5

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NEC ND-3540 in G5

Has anyone installed a NEC ND-3540 in a G5?

I've been looking at upgrading my SuperDrive & have seen recommendations here for the NEC ND-3520a, and Pioneer 109 drives - but nothing about the NEC ND-3540 (this is a newer model than the NEC ND-3520a)......

Should any of these 'PC" drives (in theory) work in a G5?
Do I just need to get the correct firmware?

Many thanks for your help!

Posted on May 30, 2005 5:40 PM

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Answer 1

May 30, 2005 6:10 PM in response to Jim Wylie

Unlike the Pioneer 109, NEC 3500AG, NEC 3520A the 3540 is not listed in VendorSupport.drprofile: I suppose that it won't work without patches.

The Pioneer 109 should have firmware 1.40 or 1.50

All the first 3 mentioned drives will work in a G5 - just buy a bulk drive.

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Answer 2

Jim Wylie Author

Level 1

75 points

May 30, 2005 6:23 PM in response to Kay Marczoch

Many thanks for your reply Kay.

By 'bulk drive' do you mean the 'OEM' models listed on the PC hardware supplier sites?

And is the 'VendorSupport.drprofile' that you mention a feature of OSX 10.4 only?
For various reasons, I won't be updating to 10.4 for a while, but will be sticking with OSX10.3.9 on my G5.
So will the NEC 3520A work OK in OSX 10.3.9 - & is it easy to get/install the firmware?

Thanks for you help!

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Answer 3

May 30, 2005 6:27 PM in response to Jim Wylie

Exactly that OEM

If staying with OS X 10.3.9 forget about VendorSupport.drprofile - it's indeed a Tiger feature.

In this case you need Patchburn3 from http://www.patchburn.de - it will add a similar profile fitting your drive.

afaik there is no firmware update needed for the NEC3520A

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Answer 4

Jim Wylie Author

Level 1

75 points

May 30, 2005 6:34 PM in response to Kay Marczoch

Thanks again for the info - that all makes sense.....

So, I could buy a NEC ND-3540, & use Patchburn3 to make it work with my G5 in OSX10.3.9?
And then use Patchburn4 when I finally upgrade to OSX10.4?

Thanks for your help - much appreciated!

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Answer 5

May 31, 2005 12:03 AM in response to Jim Wylie

That should work although Patchburn4 is in an early state at the moment.

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Answer 6

Jun 27, 2005 5:34 PM in response to Kay Marczoch

Hi Kay (or anyone else who would know).

I have acquired a NEC 3540. Can I get it to work with my G3 iMAc (slot loader) running 10.2.8?

regards
Dr M

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Answer 7

Jun 28, 2005 6:45 AM in response to Dr Madvibe

You will need an external FireWire casing; Try OtherWorldComputing as one resource. The casing must be capable of supporting an optical drive, most designed for Hard Drives will not work with optical drives unless specifically stated.

Make sure you don't buy a USB2.0 casing, it is worthless in your situation; you do not have USB2.0, nor can you add a USB2.0 card to an iMac.

Even if you are told it is backwards compatable, this simply means that the new drive will run @ 4X4X6 MAX, as that is the speed limit of the USB1.01 contained in your iMac...

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Answer 8

Jun 28, 2005 4:24 PM in response to Hussein-New-York

Sorry, I should have made it a bit clearer, I do have a FireWire case, its a QPS Que! QPDVRPN1F. The previous owner took out the DVD for his tower.

I hooked it all up (and remembered to turn it on) but it doesn't show on the desktop. Maybe there is something wrong with the electronics. I'm going to try and see if I can see any sign of life using my brother's PC tomorrow.

I believe if I can get it to work, then Patchburn is the thing I need. I've also heard of Binflash but I've no idea how you implement it.

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Answer 9

Jun 28, 2005 7:17 PM in response to Dr Madvibe

QPS cases usually don't work in OSX with the onboard firewire ports, and since you can't add a PCI card, I would look for something else...

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Answer 10

Jun 29, 2005 2:34 AM in response to Hussein-New-York

Ah that'll be it then.
Thanks Hussein

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Answer 11

Sep 2, 2005 2:42 AM in response to Jim Wylie

You may not need PatchBurn 4 in Tiger. Many people have burn capabilities with many drives without it. You should test first.

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