Replacement of CD/DVD reader with CD/DVD burner on MAC G4

Was given MAC G4. Added RAM and new drive. Will use mainly as internet computer and backup of digital/scanned photos.
Currently, MAC has only CD/DVD reader.

Here is the question:

Is possible to replace CD/DVD reader with CD/DVD burner on the cheep.
Being just IDE CD/DVD reader, it should be possible to use IDE CD/DVD burner.
Will any PC CD/DVD burner be competible with MAC?
Will there be an issue with driver?

Has any one replaced it with PC version CD/DVD burner and was successful if so what make/model used?

Help will be appreciated and I thank you for it.

Eddie

eddie said:

Was given MAC G4. Added RAM and new drive. Will use mainly as
internet computer and backup of digital/scanned photos.
Currently, MAC has only CD/DVD reader.

Here is the question:

Is possible to replace CD/DVD reader with CD/DVD burner on the cheep.
Being just IDE CD/DVD reader, it should be possible to use IDE CD/DVD
burner.
Will any PC CD/DVD burner be competible with MAC?
Will there be an issue with driver?
Has any one replaced it with PC version CD/DVD burner and was
successful if so what make/model used?

Click to expand...

Yes & No ... you can replace it but it needs to be compatible for it to work. Pioneer was the maker of DVD drives for apple and only a small subset of there drives will work. The "PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-112D" is what I replaced my failing drive w/ and its great. Go to ebay and look for a similar drive, This was the newest version older slightly slower versions are cheaper.

--
Richard Herbert, Monterey CA
Standout from conformity, 'Only a dead fish swims with the current.'

Thanks
Will look in to.
ED

eddie said:

Will any PC CD/DVD burner be competible with MAC?
Will there be an issue with driver?

Click to expand...

I've got a G4/450 Sawtooth that I've upgraded with a 2GHz processor and an additional hard drive. I also have a regular old PC DVD burner in it. I did have an eMachines PC that cooked its motherboard. I scavenged both the hard drive and the DVD burner from it and put them in my Mac. Surprisingly, both worked just fine! No additional driver needed for the DVD burner and the hard drive came up as a regular drive which allowed me to move off the few files I wanted to keep from the PC. The rest of the carcass went to my brother who put other items into his twin eMachines that he had.

What's funny is that the PC DVD burner had a "plate" on the front of the drive to match the box on the PC. So I've got this ugly funky looking piece of gray plastic sticking out of the front of my Mac. I figure I can live with it--it still enables me to burn DVDs and the price was right!

So in my case everything worked fine, but I didn't outlay any $$ for this experiment. I figure it should work, but you might want to buy the drive from somewhere that has a good return policy just in case.

Donna

One other thing I forgot to mention is that iMovie recognized it. I was really surprised at that.

There is a utility that you can download that patches the operating system to recognize almost any third party dvd/cd recorder so that it works with the OS ability to burn disks. Here is the url:

http://www.patchburn.de/

I have used this for years. (You can also buy processor upgrades for your G4, and better video cards. I upgraded my 400mhz to 800mhz for about $200, and I found an ATi 9200 video card on ebay for about $50. Made the thing really hum!)

--
Only my opinion. It's worth what you paid for it. Your mileage may vary! ;-}
http://www.dougwigton.com/

It can be done, check http://www dot macsales dot com
They have a whole selection and will even take trade ins of old drives.

Also Patchburn works great if you need it. If you have Mac OSX 10.4 or 10.3 you should be all set with many drives macsales has.
--
Photography and Graphic Design
Portfolio - http://www.atlanticexpressinc.com
Prints - http://www.atlanticexpressions.com

I'm back on line and see how many people are willing to help.

Once more I thank you all and if I can help some one on this forum or any other,
I will do it with pleasure.

Cheers

Ed

Check out this website:
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com
Has plenty of information on drive compatibility and installation instructions.
I also agree that Pioneer makes the best DVD burners.

We just upgraded 20 G4s with the Pioneer DVR-112D and it's fully supported under OS 10.4.