I want to replace the optical drive in my iBook with a SATA-SSD.

I want to replace the optical drive in my iBook with a SATA-SSD (using a HDD-caddy PATA to SATA) and use that as my OS disk. Is there a speed difference between the ATA connections of the optical drive and the hard drive? Mactracker tells me that the Hard Drive Bus is Ultra ATA/100 (ATA-6), but there is no information to the Bus of the optical drive. Is it the same?

There may be a kit from OWC to replace the optical drive in the old iBook G4 with an SSD. They have similar items for other portable Macs of the era where optical drives still were inside.
They do have what they call a 'legacy' ATA/IDE SSD series of portable computer drive for use in older type architecture, but I don't see the kit to replace the optical drive with an SSD on the same page... They do offer a live chat on the page, though. So it is possible to ask questions and hope you get matching results...
•OWC Mercury Legacy Pro:
For all laptops that use a 2.5" IDE/ATA Drive
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/SSD/OWC/Mercury_Legacy_Pro
I'd considered upgrading my iBook G4 (mid-2005) 12" 1.33GHz computer with an SSD because the original 38GB HDD is rather tight with Leopard OS X 10.5.8 installed and some applications. And it has the max RAM at 1.5GB. Plus it would need a new battery since both batteries from Apple failed early on with low use cycles. I do like the idea of wear-leveling technologies in their Mercury Legacy drives. And some of the external enclosures look durable enough.
Hopefully they can answer some questions.
Good luck & happy computing!

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(2011 13" Macbook Pro Model 8,1) I want to replace my 320GB HDD and replace it with a 6gb/s 120GB SSD. I also want to replace the optical drive with a 7200RPM HDD 750GB.

I want to use:
The SSD and enclosure to replace the optical drive with the new HDD
So basically, I want to use the SSD in the link above. I want to set this up as either preferrably a fusion drive. If not the smoothest most stable configuration. I have a Macbook Pro Early 2011 13" with 8 GB of ram, 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5, 320GB HDD.
I want to install the SSD directly to the SATA port where the 320 GB HDD is currently. I then want to install the new HDD, preferrably a name brand 750 GB 7200RPM hard drive where the optical drive is now. I want the storage to work in a way in which the OS, and my most used programs and files get stored on the SSD, and everything else gets stored on the larger hard drive. My most preferred method would be Fusion drive, or a SPAN drive.
I would like to use a Seagate Momentus XT, but I learned that there might be issues with compatability with this. I dont mind using the 3 gb/s 500GB option, but would like to know if it would even be smart to do it. I also have no problem settling for a regular 7200 RPM hard drive.
I have read a bunch of stuff online but I still am not sure if this is even possible. I want my machine to run as fluid as possible so any info would be appreciated.

bump

Can I replace the optical drive in my iMac with a 2.5" HDD?

mid-2007 Intel-based iMac
optical drive is shot
cant install winxp on bootcamp without it
thought it'd be easier to have a separate (already windows-formatted) drive (pulled from my laptop) and choose to boot to either at startup.

possibly, but you need an adapter like this for example: http://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/ADPTADRV/
Message was edited by: shldr2thewheel---not sure about how this would work with putting it in the optical drive slot. It should work if put in the spot reserved for the HDD.

Can i replace the optical drive in my G5 with a HDD

I have a G4 and I was thinking of using the HDD from it to try to repair my G5, but it is IDE, and the only place it would go in a G5 is the superdrive slot. I know I could use target disk mode, but I seeem to have misplaced my FireWire cable.
Cheers.

What OS is on the G5? You can't do a Disk Utility repair on the hard drive you are booted on. Besides it's unlikely the G5 will boot using the OS installed on the G4 HD. Get another Firewire cable.
Do you have the G5 Install/Restore DVD? If so, boot using it & use Disk Utility on it to do the repairs
 Cheers, Tom

How much would it cost to replace the optical drive

I have a 48 month old mac pro. I use the optical drive quite a bit for listening or downloading music from my cd's. There is now a loud mechanical noise coming from it , and it is now very choosy about what cd's it wants to play. It is also getting very difficult to eject without having to restart it several times as well as pressing subsequent buttons.
        I have read several discussions on these pages and have gone through several elimmination processes . Including cleaning discs.
          Now i fear that there is no option but to replace the optical drive.
       How much am looking at spending and although its not a perfect remedy , is it cheaper to buy an external drive as much as that would pain me.
Thank you.
Ray.

Optical drives for 2008-2012 Mac pro desktops use the standard SATA connectors.That drive
http://www.lg.com/us/products/documents/GGC-H20LSpec.PDF
has those connections. Thus is should be directly replaceable with your original drive.
http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/macpro_2009_opt/
For earlier Mac Pros
https://eshop.macsales.com/tech_center/manuals/cdinstall/macpro_optical_install. pdf

Can I replace the optical drive on a 2010 mac mini with a second hard drive?

i was just wandering how easy it would be (if at all) to replace the optical drive on my 2010 Mac Mini with a second hard drive
we use it as a media server only, and the DVD is almost never used

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/drive_bracket/datadoubler/

I have a HP G71 Model#G71-329WM. I need to replace the optical drive. What is the part Number?

My HP G71 Model#G71-329WM will not load a CD or DVD so I need to replace the optical drive. What is the correct Part number? Thanks
This question was solved.
View Solution.

Hi:
Below is the link to the service manual for your notebook.
http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01713747.pdf
Replacement optical drives with HP part numbers can be found in Chapter 3, page 33.
You can also read the instructions in chapter 4 on removing the drive and getting the part number off of it which will be normally found on a white sticker. A 6 digit-3 digit part number (123456-001)
You can search by the part number on eBay for a used but working device or you can probably buy one new from HP by entering the part number at the link below.
http://h20141.www2.hp.com/hpparts/Default.aspx?mscssid=6287767FBDD34F3696CF3D0837BDBC96
Paul

Question on Replacing the Optical Drive on my G5?

I'm trying to replace the Optical drive on my G5 Power Mac. The instructions are very clear.
1. unplug your G5
2. open it
3. open the two latches below the drive
4. slide the drive out of the bay
5. disconnect all cables
6. detach the sliders on the bottom of the drive
7. attach them to the new drive
8. connect the cables
9. slide it into place and close the latches
10. close cover
But my optical drive is stuck solid in the little slides.. It wont budge.
Has anyone got any suggestions who has done this before?
Thanks,
Steve

Hi Steve,
Yes, some can seem frozen in place, you need to pry or tap it gently to not so gently to break it loose sometimes, I had to use a screwdriver to jiggle mine loose, have you seen the installation video?
http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/powermacg5opt/

IMac's optical drive fan is loud after replacing the optical drive with an SSD?

Today I removed the optical drive from my late 2009 iMac and installed an SSD in its place. Everything works perfectly, except for one thing...my optical drive fan goes crazy when I turn the iMac on. It goes to full blast and it sounds like my computer will blast off into space at any time. I'm aware that this is a common issue when replacing/upgrading hard drives, and so I did some research and found an app called SSD Fan Control that fixed the problem for the most part.
In a nutshell, the fan runs at normal speed and is quiet when I'm logged in and actually using the computer, thanks to SSD Fan Control. However, when I turn the iMac on and it's at the white boot-up screen with the Apple logo, the fan goes up to full blast. Once the computer logs in, the fan quiets down because SSD Fan Control is set to launch at login.
I was wondering if there's a way to make it so that the fan is quiet at the boot screen too...it's quite annoying turning my iMac on and hearing that obnoxiously loud whirring sound as it's booting up. Is it possible, or can it just be controlled while I'm actually logged in?

An iPad is a great device, but it's no computer replacement. It lacks the file sharing/structure that comptuers have and the ability to easily get files onto/off it without the internet.
That said, if you still have your desktop and use it for most of the computing work and basically just want a photo viewer, check your e-mail device, then it may work for you.
The networked harddrive will be the hard part. Since the iPad lacks a file manager anything you use on it must have an app so that you can access it. And that app also must be allowed to 'send' your files to another app. So that may be what you really need to research. The ability and ease of using a network drive to do the file sharing you want.

How do I remove the display glass on an imac7.1 to replace the optical drive?

I have a 2007 iMac 24inch which has a bad optical drive. How do I remove the display glass to get to the optical drive?

Replacing anything in the newer designed iMacs is not a job for someone inexperienced or a novice.
If you don't like the idea of having to use an extrernal optical drive, It might be best to take your iMac to an Apple store or authorized Apple repair center for repair/replacement.
If you damage anything else while trying to do this replacement yourself, it will cost you even more cash to repair at a repair center later.

MacBook pro boots to prohibited sign and apple has replaced the Hard drive and it's still didnt fix. They want to replace the hard drive AGAIN?!

I've had this issue for almost a month now, and they have tried multiple things to fix it from software re-installs to wiping the drive and they replaced the hard drive and cable but now that it is still not working they are suggesting installing another hard drive after it clearly didn't work the last time they replaced it. Help! I've contacted customer relations and the only thing she told me over and over is that they are working diligently to fix it. I'm a music teacher and that is currently the only computer i have and I use July to prep all my lesson plans and music. School starts august 18th and I feel like I'll be back in the store with the same problem again right when school starts. Any suggestions, ill probably be writing a letter very soon, any other suggestions?
Btw I have tried not backing up from time machine to rule out the possibility of something of mine corrupting it and it still did it.
Thanks for your help apple community!
David

Wholly Crap, No Joke, the lady from the apple store called me up at like 5pm and said "You know what?" and my reply was....... "what" and she goes, "You've been very patient and we understand you've been in and out in the last 3 weeks so we've decided to just give you a brand new computer" She gave me a brand new MBP! SO FREAKIN STOKED, my 2008 macbook pro for a new 2011 2.2ghz with 4 gigs of memory (Upgradeable to 8!!) The only downside is that since I use this for recording audio with Pro Tools well as recording audio with Pro Tools I needed the 7200rpm drive like my last one, and with her eyes i felt the "Beggars Cant be choosy" look flow upon me. But I shrugged it off and She actually told me to take this one, use it for the next week while the one she is ordering for me comes in!! So Bottom line IMHO (first time i've ever used that acronym in a forum) Apple Definitely has some awesome customer service!!
--this is one of those posts that I usually read and say "***, why cant that be me!!"
I <3 Apple.
David

I recently replaced the hard drive in my Ibook but am having trouble loading OSX onto the disk. Using Mac install dics 10.5.2 but won't book up. Any one have suggestions?

After replacing the hard drive and memory in my ancient Ibook I tried to install OSX from older install dics- OSX 10.5. Pressed C key after putting in the disc and started up the computer and just get spinning clock and a bunch of whirling from the disc drive but no boot up. What am I doing wrong? Am I missing a disc or is there some other magic that I'm not aware of? I could really use some help on this one.

Here's the proper sequence of events:
Booting From An OS X Installer Disc
1. Insert OS X Installer Disc into the optical drive.
2. Restart the computer.
3. Immediately after the chime press and hold down the "C" key.
4. Release the key when the spinning gear below the dark gray Apple logo appears.
5. Wait for installer to finish loading.

Replace the logic board in my iBook with any processor speed?

I need to replace the logic board in my iBook G4, 933 MHz, 14", dual USB. Are the boards with the faster G4 processors interchangeable? I have not opened this machine is some time and the images I have come across in my minimal search this evening seem different for different processors.

No, they are not interchangeable.

Replacing the Optical Drive on my iMac G4

Disclaimer: Apple does not necessarily endorse any suggestions, solutions, or third-party software products that may be mentioned in the topic below. Apple encourages you to first seek a solution at Apple Support. The following links are provided as is, with no guarantee of the effectiveness or reliability of the information. Apple does not guarantee that these links will be maintained or functional at any given time. Use the information below at your own discretion.
Some of the earliest DVD burners went in to the +iMac (Flat Panel)+ model Macs and many users are now reporting problems with their original drives.
Your initial fault finding should include:
Using a drive cleaning disc to ensure there isn't dust build up on the lens.
Try functionality in another OS X user account.
Ensure that the media you are using is suitable. For example, the maximum write speed for the original drives is 4x DVD-R and these drive cannot burn DVD+R or DVD+RW media.
Revert to a recent, known good, clone of your system (i.e. from a previous software state).
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If it becomes apparent that a replacement is required outside warranty there are two broad options:
Internal.
Most replacement optical drive models should work under Tiger/Leopard fine. Patchburn will enable operation in Panther/Jaguar.
The DVR-115 (20x DVD±RW DL for $35) has been proved good by several users and is great value.
It's fiddly to work inside an iMac G4 so you must be very cautious, especially around the video cable. Always take anti-static precautions. Here are two options for guiding you through the procedure:
MacWorld
xlr8yourmac
There are also some additional photos which you can find here.
Its worth reading the reports on the xlr8yourmac drive database to get other people's experiences before you commence.
You must replace the Thermal Paste when you close the iMac up or it will overheat.
It's probably worth replacing the PRAM Battery whilst you're in there as these have a finite life (once they fail to re-charge you may start to run into problems - it's only a $5 part).
External.
Certainly a whole lot less effort to install. Should you upgrade to an Intel iMac / Mac Mini / MacBook / MacBook Pro / MacBook Air in the future you'll have access to this faster desktop-spec tray loading drive rather than the slower laptop-spec slot drive installed in these current Macs. This means you'll get 20x burning versus 8x and be able to use small-size and mis-shapen discs.
Here's one example - 20x DVD±RW DL burner again:
OWC - External Optical Drive
Links provided are examples and not specific recommendations of a particular product or retailer.
mrtotes
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You can probably just tape it down with package sealing tape. I would just re-use the old stuff. On my recent upgrade, my tape just barely had enough sticky left.
Edit:
Here is a source I found:
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,pickups/Supplies:_Shielding/Conductive_CopperTape.html
Pretty cheap, too.
Message was edited by: Keith Barkley

Replacing the optical drive in a hp pavilion dv6t-7000 notebook (warranty replacement).

The replacement drive comes with a cable (OPTICAL DISK DRIVE DVD RW FX - Includes cable). What is the cable used for? and/or where does it go when replacing the drive?

I think they made a mistake, I am guessing that the cable is a laptop SATA hard drive cable.
If you took a picture of it I could tell you what it's for.

I want to replace the optical drive in my iBook with a SATA-SSD.

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