PowerBook 3400c CD Drive Problems

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Level 1

5 points

PowerBook 3400c CD Drive Problems

hello there, just recently i bought a PowerBook 3400 (240 mhz) with no os and the 12x CD ROM. I then swaped the hard drive for one with a copy of Mac OS 8.5.1, from my PB 5300. The problem is when the CD drive is inserted the computer hangs at the happy mac. The only time it will boot is if the floppy drive from the 5300 is inserted or nothing at all. I have tried zapping the PRAM and nvram and nothing is allowing me to use the CD drive. Do I have to make a fresh install?

thanks for helping in advance

Posted on Nov 29, 2011 8:57 AM

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Answer 1

dalstott

Level 4

2,639 points

Dec 1, 2011 10:03 AM in response to air97

You may need the Apple CD driver extension that might not be on the 5300 HDD. Also There were some file access extensions that are needed for some disks. You need an Mac installation disk or find another similar vintage PB and copy them from the extensions folder to a floppy and use it.

FYI since these older PBs use SCSI connections you can't hot swap expansion bay devices. You have to shut down and replace item then restart.

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Answer 2

air97 Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 1, 2011 1:56 PM in response to dalstott

thanks for your help. I do know that the 3400c does have a SCSI connecter but that is only for the HDI port on the rear. The hard drive and media bay use ATA, but you are correct in that the 3400 does not have the hot swapability. I did do a re-install of mac os 8.5.1 over IRda (painfully slow) and now the ethernet/ modem port works but the CD drive still prevents the system from booting. ill try some more and see if an other nvram reset works.

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