Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

How to upgrade cd drive on PowerMac G3 B&W

i just got a new DVD drive to replace the old cd drive in my PowerMac. How do I take the old one out and replace it with the new one?

PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.2.x)

Posted on Jan 1, 2015 4:46 PM

Reply
4 replies

Jan 1, 2015 6:43 PM in response to Matthewlopez

Here is a complete "take-apart" guide for the G3 B&W, you can peruse through this to find the optical drive relevant portions: Steps 10, 11, 12


https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Power+Macintosh+G3+Blue+and+White+Teardown/1459


not so great image quality, but you can get the gist of it, you might find a better one with a simple google search on G3 B&W teardown or take apart

Jan 1, 2015 6:49 PM in response to Glen Doggett

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powermac_g3/faq/power-mac-g3-how-to-upgrad e-processor-zif-optical-zip-drive.html#optical

"...Apple declines to provide optical drive replacement instructions for end users, but the not for public distribution service source manuals (if they are still online) for the Desktop, Minitower, All-in-One, and Blue & White models, respectively, may help..."


http://preterhuman.net/texts/computing/Apple_Service_PDF/PowerMac_G3/powermac_g3 _blue.white.pdf

see page 67.

Jan 1, 2015 9:21 PM in response to Matthewlopez

Keep in mind that certain brand DVD-ROM & DVD±RW drives will function while the computer is running, but will not boot the computer when selecting them either by depressing the "C" key at startup or by selecting the DVD drive via the Startup Disk control panel. This was my experience when I installed a Memorex (made by LG) DVD±RW drive in one of my B&W G3s. In a PC, that drive functioned without any problems, but when I attempted to boot the G3 with it, the drive would spin up and then slow down a couple of times, as if it had never read a disk before. It would time out and eject the disk, so that the computer would revert to booting from the hard drive. I could finally force it to boot the computer, if I immediately shoved the tray closed, as soon as it opened. To avoid that headache, I pulled the drive and replaced it with a Pioneer DVD±RW drive, which booted the computer as normally as an Apple-branded drive would do. As for installing the drive, because drives became shorter in length over the years, the back end of the drive may not extend far enough beyond the optical drive carrier, to enable using the EMI shield that's snapped over the end of the OEM drive. You don't need to use it. Also, most new DVD drives come with the configuration jumper set to "CS" (Cable Select), so check before you install it. It needs to be set to "Master," because Cable Select isn't supported in the B&W G3s.

How to upgrade cd drive on PowerMac G3 B&W

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.