iMac G3 DVD-ROM issues...

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iMac G3 DVD-ROM issues...

Hi,

I just bought ($110) a iMacG3 Beige 400Mhz for my kid which comes with a Matshita DVD-ROM SR-8184 running on OS X 10.4.3.

According to the specifications for the DVD-ROM drive, it should read DVD-RAM and also DVD-R. I have a Panasonic DVD-RAM disc which I formatted with UDF 1.5 (including physical format) and copied some Mac games for my kid.

To my surprise, the DVD-RAM is spit out by the drive after few seconds.

I tried to use FujiFilm DVD-R bootable DVD and the drive read it when in Mac OS X. But, while rebooting, it again spit out after a few seconds.

Does anybody know (long term iMac G3 users) what specific brands of DVD-R does the DVD-ROM drive read fine? Right now, I have Apple DVD-R 5 pack which is very expensive ($19.99). I also heard that Apple DVD-R discs are made by Maxell/Verbatim. Is that true?

Btw, I was able to play a DVD movie (Perfect Storm) just fine on the DVD-ROM drive.

Finally, do I need to update the firmware for this machine and why should I do it?

Appreciate feedback.

Thanks.

iMac G3 Blue & White, Mac OS X (10.4.3), Matshita DVD-ROM SR-8184 Firmware: AA31

Posted on Apr 27, 2006 10:25 PM

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Answer 1

scapesuiter

Level 7

27,670 points

May 1, 2006 1:44 PM in response to moved2mac

moved2mac, the Firmware for the slot-loading G3 iMacs should be Boot ROM Version 4.1.9f1 (System Profiler). Also, this article might add some information.

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Answer 2

moved2mac Author

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May 1, 2006 2:00 PM in response to scapesuiter

Thanks for your input.

How do I check the Boot ROM version on my G3? Also, I have a Panasonic DVD-RAM 2x speed disc which I formatted it as UDF 1.02/1.5 etc on Windows XP using DVDForm utility. But, it is getting ejected in a few seconds after I inserted it. I really want to use DVD-RAM as it is the most cost effective way to rewrite stuff and test it on my DVD-ROM. Since DVD-RAM can hold more data than CD-RW, it would be better to use it.

In that DVD-RAM article, under DVD-ROM drives section, it says "Most Generation 3 (or higher) DVD-ROM drives can read Type 2 DVD-RAM discs if they are removed from their cartridge".

How do I know whether my DVD-ROM drive (Matshita DVD-ROM SR-8184 Version: AA31) is a Generation 3 drive and also is my Panasonic DVD-RAM disc that I have is a Type 2 one? On the back of the disc, it says "Revision 2.1".

Appreciate your feedback.

Rgds.

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Answer 3

scapesuiter

Level 7

27,670 points

May 1, 2006 10:17 PM in response to moved2mac

moved2mac, open the System Profiler utility and it will tell you which Boot ROM Version you have in "Hardware Overview:" But going back to your original post, there is no such thing as an iMac G3 Beige. It must be a PowerMac G3 beige, and in that case I don't know what the Firmware should be. Also, I think it is counterintuitive to format the DVD-RAM on Windows XP. Can't you use Disk Utility or some other disk utility on the Mac?

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Answer 4

moved2mac Author

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May 1, 2006 10:16 PM in response to scapesuiter

yeah...I checked out my version and it is the same Boot ROM version that you were mentioning. Oh!! Mine is a iMac G3 DV+ (400Mhz) PowerPC G3 and comes with a Matshita DVD-ROM SR-8184 Version: AA31.

Desperately waiting for any clues/solutions on using DVD-RAM disc (specs in my previous thread).

Thanks.

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