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PBG4
#901 08/11/09 10:12 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
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Joined: Aug 2009
Several year old PowerBook G4 15", 1.5 GHz.

Couple months ago (after a trip to the shop to have a 160GB HDD installed) the SuperDrive began acting up. I am unable to access any disc inserted. No read; no write. BooHoo.

It shows up on the "About this Mac" dropdown, but otherwise doesn't work.

Model: MATSHITADVD-R UJ-825
Revision: DAM5
Serial Number:
Detachable Drive: No
Protocol: ATAPI
Unit Number: 0
Socket Type: Internal
Low Power Polling: Yes
Power Off: No

Any suggestions?

Also, if it comes down to me replacing the drive, is there a PRAM battery inside somewhere that should also be replaced?

Thanks in advance.
Cap'n Steve

Re: PBG4
Cap'n Steve #927 08/12/09 03:10 AM
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Welcome to these Forums, Cap'n! laugh If you haven't yet tried a drive lens cleaner disk, I'd give that a shot. If it doesn't work, the drive is probably history and may need to be replaced. Before you do that, make sure it's properly hooked up; perhaps something got dislodged when the HD was replaced (does it show in System Profiler?). Edit: Oops, I see you mentioned it did, which renders loose wires less likely.

As to the presence of a backup battery in your PB, that depends on exactly which model 15", 1.5GHz you've got. See Apple Portables: Identifying the right battery--US for battery ID numbers. The 2004 PB5,4 model used a 922-6007 backup battery, while the 2005 PB5,6 model sported the 922-6714 battery. For the latter PB model Mactracker doesn't list a battery at all.

Last edited by alternaut; 08/12/09 07:43 PM. Reason: Added comment about missed detail

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Re: PBG4
Cap'n Steve #934 08/12/09 05:58 AM
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> I am unable to access any disc inserted.

It's possible that all your reading lasers have gone south at the same time, but it's a bit unlikely, so definitely give alternaut's suggestions a shot.

(Are you in NYC?)


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In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire
Re: PBG4
Cap'n Steve #950 08/12/09 01:00 PM
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If the drive was working properly before being opened to install the new hard drive I would suspect the drive cable was dislodged during the installation. Check all connection cables to make sure they are seated properly.

Re: PBG4
htrebor #972 08/12/09 06:50 PM
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Tho the odds of the drive detecting but not running makes a loose cable highly unlikely. (tho not impossible)

Possibly a bit of debris in the connector though. Unplug it and check the pins on the cable and on the board with a magnifying glass. Look for anything foreign. Even a fleck of dandruff could cause problems. Bent pins surely are trouble.


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Moderated by  alternaut, dianne, MacManiac 

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