Anonymous CD-ROM

hughvane · hughvane #1 (**permalink**)

12-08-2008, 03:45 PM

I pulled a quite modern (2 years) optical drive from an old Win PC. I posted its model number on Google and found the manufacturer to be someone named Generic

, made in China, Hotlink Corporation. There is no brand name on the unit's case, nor is it actually identified as a CD-ROM. Its retail price new is US$4.75!!!

I connected the 'bare' drive to my Mac via IDE-USB adaptor. The unit powered on, the drive bay opened, I inserted a commercial music CD, and ... absolutely nothing. I tried different connection sequences, no joy. I can only assume the unit worked in the Win environment.

Not that it's vitally important, and the unit will finish up at the recycling centre anyway, but can anyone shed light on why it doesn't work? [I have 4 other 'bare' units, Lite-On, Matshita and Pioneer, all pulled from dismantled computers, they all work via the adaptor.]

chscag · chscag #2 (**permalink**)

12-08-2008, 05:32 PM

About the only thing I can think of - it isn't receiving enough power from the USB connection to turn on the optical light??

Regards.

hughvane · hughvane #3 (**permalink**)

12-08-2008, 06:09 PM

Thank you chsaq, it's a mains-powered unit. It would appear that the CD-ROM needs cable connection out to a sound card (as it was in its original configuration). I thought the USB factor would take care of that, but apparently not.

chscag · chscag #4 (**permalink**)

12-08-2008, 06:48 PM

Ah. Yea, I remember now I had an older "Generic" (no name made in China) drive in a desktop PC I used for awhile. It came with a small two wire cable which hooked to the sound card. But that was ages ago. I would have thought a recent (two years old) drive had no need for a sound cable and could function without it by using the digital signal.

Regards.

hughvane · hughvane #5 (**permalink**)

12-08-2008, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chscag

I would have thought a recent (two years old) drive had no need for a sound cable and could function without it by using the digital signal.

Agreed, which is why I posted the question, even though the drive is destined for recycling. I couldn't fathom why such a modern unit (Oct 06) simply would not work. Must be something in the controller that requires interface with a sound card (which is also destined for lesser things). The IBM machine from which the components came is old, perhaps ten years. See http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/any...5-what-do.html
Cheers!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
powerbook won't boot from CD Rom drive	emslloyd	Apple Notebooks	0	03-01-2007 09:17 AM
cd rom installation	Boro	Apple Desktops	0	02-16-2007 12:50 PM
Upgrade Wallstreet ROM	Leondis	Apple Notebooks	1	01-02-2007 09:04 PM
DVD ROM wont work help please :)	andysparx	Switcher Hangout	0	01-04-2006 06:56 AM
:dummy:CD ROM	ByHisGrace	Apple Notebooks	2	12-22-2005 12:15 AM

Anonymous CD-ROM

Internet Services

Web Development

Digital Marketing

Consumer Tech

hughvane #1 (permalink)
Member Since: May 18, 2008 Location: Banks Peninsula, New Zealand Posts: 3,244 Mac Specs: MacMini 2.4, 4 Gb, OS 10.6.8; MacBook 2.4, 2 Gb, OS 10.5.8; G4 eMac 1.25, 2 Gb, OS 10.4.11	12-08-2008, 03:45 PM I pulled a quite modern (2 years) optical drive from an old Win PC. I posted its model number on Google and found the manufacturer to be someone named Generic , made in China, Hotlink Corporation. There is no brand name on the unit's case, nor is it actually identified as a CD-ROM. Its retail price new is US$4.75!!! I connected the 'bare' drive to my Mac via IDE-USB adaptor. The unit powered on, the drive bay opened, I inserted a commercial music CD, and ... absolutely nothing. I tried different connection sequences, no joy. I can only assume the unit worked in the Win environment. Not that it's vitally important, and the unit will finish up at the recycling centre anyway, but can anyone shed light on why it doesn't work? [I have 4 other 'bare' units, Lite-On, Matshita and Pioneer, all pulled from dismantled computers, they all work via the adaptor.]
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 32,017 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	12-08-2008, 05:32 PM About the only thing I can think of - it isn't receiving enough power from the USB connection to turn on the optical light?? Regards.
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 32,017 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	12-08-2008, 06:48 PM Ah. Yea, I remember now I had an older "Generic" (no name made in China) drive in a desktop PC I used for awhile. It came with a small two wire cable which hooked to the sound card. But that was ages ago. I would have thought a recent (two years old) drive had no need for a sound cable and could function without it by using the digital signal. Regards.
	QUOTE Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)