DVD-RAM drive not detected

Question

Hello :]
I recently bought an old Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics) off of eBay. The only problem I am having with it is that the optical drive is not detected entirely (and isn't shown in System Profiler). I am pretty sure that the current drive is the original DVD-RAM one.
Thanks :]

Answer 1

Hi, sburton0 -
The lights indicate the drives are receiving proper power; the optical drive's external button will open the tray regardless of whether the Mac 'sees' the drive.
Since the Zip drive is also not shown in System Profiler, that could indicate an issue with the built-in controller for that bus.
However, it is not unusual for a cable to work loose when a machine is moved around and jostled, as can happen a lot during shipment and related movement. Check the data cable where it connects to the main logic board - unplug it and re-insert it, making sure it is well seated. Do this with the machine powered down, of course, and avoid touching anything on the main logic board.
It is possible for the data cable to get pinched inside the machine when the side panel/door is closed - if this cuts into the cable, it can cause a short or interruption. Make sure that has not happened.
In theory one of the jumpers on the optical or Zip drive (if either uses jumpers) may have become dislodged, altering the config of the drives' addresses such that the Mac can't read them. This is a remote possibility - once inserted, a jumper is not easily worked loose.
If it does appear that the built-in controller for that ATA bus has failed, a PCI ATA card should work as a replacement; the alternative is to replace the main logic board, which is far more expensive.