Can I replace Combo Drive With Super Drive?

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Level 2

210 points

Can I replace Combo Drive With Super Drive?

Hi all, I just purchased an IMac G5 1.6Ghz 17 inch off of Ebay. It has a combo Drive and I really want a Super Drive for it. I would rather replace the drive than purchase one to hook up to it. I have replaced drives, processors, graphics cards & memory on my Power Mac G4 as well as the CD Drive, HD, & memory on my iBook-but not as familiar with IMac expansion. I was told you can't do this but I thought I saw on Apple's support site (DIY) that you can-Unless that is just talking about replacing the Combo Drive with another Combo Drive. If I can does anyone know where I can get one besides Ebay-haven't seen any there.
Any help would be appreciated. 🙂
Thanks, Retha

Posted on Oct 28, 2005 6:44 AM

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Answer 1

myhighway

Level 5

7,270 points

Oct 28, 2005 9:10 AM in response to Retha

Easy to do, and they're cheaper than you'd think. Check newegg.com

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Answer 2

Oct 28, 2005 12:12 PM in response to Retha

Hi Retha,

Other World Computing has a Slot Loading DVD/CD Burner with Dual Layer Support for the iMac G5 that sells in the $140 range. Installation instruction links are at the bottom of the page.

Hope this helps.

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Answer 3

Retha Author

Level 2

210 points

Oct 30, 2005 7:22 AM in response to myhighway

Myhighway, Thanks for info-Retha 🙂

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Answer 4

Retha Author

Level 2

210 points

Oct 30, 2005 7:24 AM in response to Tampa Bay Tom

Tampa Bay Tom, Thanks for the info-I purchased the one on OWC-looks easy to install-Thanks, Retha 🙂

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Answer 5

Nov 8, 2005 8:36 PM in response to Retha

A final word on this subject. The drive OWC sells is the Panasonic UJ-845-B which IS the same as the Dual Layer drive in the iMac.

I ordered one. It DOES NOT come mounted in the sled, so the "simple" installation that OWC touts becomes far more complicated as you have to locate a Torx #6 driver to remove six screws, gently pry off the plastic bezel without breaking any of the small tabs, and you have to remove the electrical connector on the old drive and place it on the new drive.

While it is not too hard to accomplish, you ARE removing screws other than the "gold colored" screws that Apple allows so you run a risk of voiding the warranty.

Also OWC's price ($140) seems a little high now that I find that it is not mounted in a sled. A quick search returned prices for this drive as low as $107.

Mine is getting returned and being exchanged for one of OWC's fine external Firewire DVD burners with dual layer capacity.

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Answer 6

Retha Author

Level 2

210 points

Nov 9, 2005 7:00 AM in response to Tampa Bay Tom

Tampa Bay, Your right it is high and does not come mounted in the sled. I found that out yesterday when I installed it in my iMac. My concern though is how hot it seems. The drive seems to work fine and I can burn as well with no problems, but when I eject a disk a disk, the disk is very hot. The outside of the iMac is warm in that area, but not any warmer than the other side(Where the vent is-if thats a vent. the strip accross the back top of the mac.) I am completely new to iMac so I am not sure if this is normal or not. Unfortunately I did not use the original drive long enough to see if its the same way on that drive.
Any info would be great pertaining to this heat issue.
thanks, Retha

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Answer 7

Nov 9, 2005 11:59 AM in response to Retha

The Super Drive (single layer) in the first gen iMac I just sold would also eject discs that were very warm. The drive in my new iMac doesn't seem to make the discs as warm.

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Answer 8

Nov 9, 2005 1:23 PM in response to Retha

Hi Retha,

All my disks come out very hot. That is just the nature of the iMac G5. It apparently is not hot enough to damage the disks, but can come in hand if you want to fry an egg right after burning a DVD. 🙂

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