iBook G3 cd rom drive wont stay closed

[IlikeTech]

I have an iBook G3 clamshell with a pop out cd drive that won't stay closed.  It works fine and reads cd's if you hold it or tape it shut, but it won't latch.  Can I have some help fixing it?

If not, will anyone sell me a drive for really, really cheap?

 

[IlikeTech]

Never mind, it's broken in a way I really can't fix... 

 

[jack]

Uh oh... I had a feeling that was the case.

 

[IlikeTech]

It has a piece of plastic that is a catch snapped off internally.

 

[EvilCapitalist]

Yup, both the clamshell and the later iceBooks with tray loaders had issues with drives not staying shut (ask me how many drives I had to replace on the iceBooks!) 

The tape, while it doesn't look the best, is probably the best solution you'll find short of replacing it outright.

 

[jack]

(ask me how many drives I had to replace on the iceBooks!) 

...and I'd rather   insert nasty thing here   than open a bunch of iceBooks...

 

[IlikeTech]

It might be completely fugly, but I could probably put another drive in there.  It wouldn't match the faceplace though.  Anyone got a drive?!

 

[jack]

Occasionally they show up on here: http://www.powerbookmedic.com/iBook-Clamshell-Service-Parts----Replacement-Parts-For-Repair-p-1-c-319.html

Or fleabay.

Just wait... one will show up eventually

 

[IlikeTech]

Just got a drive from eBay.  It wasn't cheap, but has all the hardware.

 

[CC_333]

I think I have a spare drive too, if you want?

My clamshell did this after I dropped it one time too many. Then the bezel broke off. Had to tape it with a block of... foam? can't remember.... It read CDs just fine, though. I used it that way pretty much until it fell apart in 2005. Of course, I had moved on to a PC by then (but not for long! I got a MacBook for my 18th birthday about 1-1/2 years later).

Didn't realize this was a common problem. I figured it was simply a result of my dropping the thing so much.

c

 

[IlikeTech]

The drive has been replaced and the system is now working great!