So last year, the 20x CD-ROM drive on my Powerbook G3 PDQ 233mhz stopped working while I was trying to install 10.4 using Xpostfacto. It started when it simply wouldn't eject, but after disassembling and reassembling the drive several times it started to sort of receive power. By that I mean that it can eject and close, however the disk does not spin. I have been on the lookout for a replacement drive for some time now however they seem to only be getting more expensive as time goes on. Essentially, I am wondering what options I have to replace the interal drive.
While I have considered an external SCSI drive or a using a Firewire drive connected via a Cardbus adapter, I'm not sure if I can boot a Wallstreet/PDQ via Firewire Cardbus, and I feel like an external drive would defeat the purpose of having a laptop with an internal CD drive and potentially be too expensive for a temporary measure until I find a replacement module. However, I am not entirely opposed to the idea since I probably wouldn't be installing any software while travelling, though It would make it more difficult to play CDs or games with audio tracks on it due to the need for another outlet available to power the drive.
Now I have heard of people replacing the drive in a Pismo or Lombard with that of a PC laptop since they both use the same ATA bus, however I haven't't seen anyone do this with a Wallstreet/PDQ, I'm pretty sure they they have different connectors, and I don't know what the internals of the CD drive of a later model G3 look like and am yet to find any teardowns of the mechanism itself. Now I do also have the CD drive from a 1400 that I am willing to use for this, but I not sure about the comparability of the internals on that one either So I suppose my second question would be: Is it possible to replace the CD-ROM drive or mechanism with that of a PC laptop, or am I stuck with a finding the entire module?
While I have considered an external SCSI drive or a using a Firewire drive connected via a Cardbus adapter, I'm not sure if I can boot a Wallstreet/PDQ via Firewire Cardbus, and I feel like an external drive would defeat the purpose of having a laptop with an internal CD drive and potentially be too expensive for a temporary measure until I find a replacement module. However, I am not entirely opposed to the idea since I probably wouldn't be installing any software while travelling, though It would make it more difficult to play CDs or games with audio tracks on it due to the need for another outlet available to power the drive.
Now I have heard of people replacing the drive in a Pismo or Lombard with that of a PC laptop since they both use the same ATA bus, however I haven't't seen anyone do this with a Wallstreet/PDQ, I'm pretty sure they they have different connectors, and I don't know what the internals of the CD drive of a later model G3 look like and am yet to find any teardowns of the mechanism itself. Now I do also have the CD drive from a 1400 that I am willing to use for this, but I not sure about the comparability of the internals on that one either So I suppose my second question would be: Is it possible to replace the CD-ROM drive or mechanism with that of a PC laptop, or am I stuck with a finding the entire module?
Last edited:
