G4 Mac Mini replacement optical drive

[Fizzbinn]

My G4 Mac mini's superdrive seems to be on its last legs (CDR burns failing, weird noises...). Anyone have any hints on how to look for a replacement (CD-RW, combo or superdrive, DVDs aren't that important to me). Know any OEM model numbers? Seems like finding a non-Apple labeled model might be easiest?

 

[jimjimx]

@Fizzbinn

Apparently this is supposed to work. Check for yourself, and let us know how it works out for you...

https://eshop.macsales.com/item/Panasonic/MMINISL8XDL/
 

 

[trag]

My G4 Mac mini's superdrive seems to be on its last legs (CDR burns failing, weird noises...). Anyone have any hints on how to look for a replacement (CD-RW, combo or superdrive, DVDs aren't that important to me). Know any OEM model numbers? Seems like finding a non-Apple labeled model might be easiest?

I think I've installed this one, but the memory is dim:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001B7XYZO

$15 shipped from Amazon.

G4 has a PATA interface, correct?

You might also consider this one for $10.

https://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-gsa-s10-ranura-portátiles-MacBooks/dp/B0019WIVS6

 

[Franklinstein]

Most slot-loading PATA optical drives will work since New World Macs generally don't care about Apple ROM'd drives like the old beige models did. I recommend only Matsushita/Panasonic or Pioneer though, maybe TEAC, Hitachi, or LG if you get one cheap enough. There are other brands but they're not as reliable and some may not cooperate with OpenFirmware so they may not boot.

 

[cheesestraws]

My G4 Mac mini's superdrive seems to be on its last legs (CDR burns failing, weird noises...). Anyone have any hints on how to look for a replacement (CD-RW, combo or superdrive, DVDs aren't that important to me). Know any OEM model numbers? Seems like finding a non-Apple labeled model might be easiest?

Probably not worth the posting from the UK but if you get desperate I have a couple of slotloading combo drives here out of iBook G4s free to a good home for postage (I can't easily test them at the present but they worked when I took them out of the machines they were in).

 

[Fizzbinn]

Thanks for the feedback. I decided I might be overthinking this and picked up a cheap Apple OEM labeled PATA drive on eBay. $9 BIN shipped for a tested working “UJ-857-C GENUINE APPLE DVD DRIVE IDE“. What could go wrong?

...so that’s apparently a 9.5mm height drive and I need a 12.7mm one for a G4 Mac mini.  Tried to make it fit but the mounting screw holes don’t line up at all. :-(  
 

The original flaky drive is a UJ-845. 
 

Found this ifixit guide:

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac+mini+(PowerPC)+Optical+Drive+Replacement/265

which notes UJ-875 as a replacement part. 
 

And this which says the UJ-875 is the Panasonic replacement for the UJ-845:
https://www.thebookyard.com/product.php?cPath=91_30_24_180&products_id=5388

Looks like an Apple labeled UJ-875 can be found for around $10 on eBay as well. Think that’s my next step...