Replacement DVD-RW for defective MATSHITADVD-R UJ-846

[monkeynuts*]

Hi everyone,
I'm new here, but I really need some help and guidance. I bought an older iMac from a friend, for a really great price. It's the iMac 17" iSight G5 1.83 Intel Core Duo version. (922-7243 ~ 2104 model MA199LL, A1173) Unfortunately the only problem with it is the DVD RW, which from what I've been reading up on, isn't that good and has many faults. The MATSHITA DVD-RW's seem to be really problematic! Mine's the UJ-846 version.

So my question is this... After viewing many slot loading SATA DVD-RW's and Blu Ray ones, I am really confused as to which one to buy to exchange it with? Will any SATA DVD-RW/Blu Ray do, or must I be more careful than that?

Sony-NEC have the AD-5630A DVD±RW or the 7630A, but I'm wondering, how far I can 'jazz' it up. If, with money not being a problem, is the best drive I could go for.


Oh, please DON'T persuade me not to open up my iMac, I've done it already and it was relatively easy. =D

Thanks all and please help!


Monkeynuts

 

[harryb2448]

G'day and welcome to the forums.

Be aware iMacs like laptops use a minaturized optical drive and if you go through these threads you will see many concerning failed optical drives on iMacs and MB and MBP. Go over to OWC and have a look at their G5 iMac optical drives,. Make a choice from there.

http://eshop.macsales.com/search/iMac+G5+optical

 

[monkeynuts*]

Thanks for the reply ~

[G'day and welcome to the forums.]

[Be aware iMacs like laptops use a minaturized optical drive and if you go through these threads you will see many concerning failed optical drives on iMacs and MB and MBP. Go over to OWC and have a look at their G5 iMac optical drives,. Make a choice from there.]


So your saying these are the only drives I can go for? None of the new ones on ebay will do? Also, I need help with one other thing please. I was thinking of also putting a bigger H/Disk in my machine. the 160gb disk is too small. Could I put a 2tb H/Disk with 32 or even 64mb of cache in there?

Thanks again.

 

[dtravis7]

The iMac uses a full sized 3.5" SATA Hard Drive. I just installed a 1TB WD Black in an iMac 2 months ago. The hard drive will not be an issue.

But the DVD drive is a special one and a laptop drive. I have been told there is a Pioneer that will fit in the iMac also but do not remember the model. Try google and search for Pioneer DVD RW for iMac. I am pretty sure that just any Slot Load drive will not work.

Edit: This is the Pioneer I was talking about. According to this page it should work.

http://www.thebookyard.com/product.php?manufacturers_id=24&products_id=4518

I did replace the Panasonic drive in my iMac G5 with a new one from OWC and this one has been 100% reliable so far and I have burned a lot of DVD's and CD's. I bought my replacement from OWC.

 

[monkeynuts*]

Thanks for your help dtravis7 and harryb2448!

I didn't think the H/Disk would be a problem. I wanted to go for the 2TB WD Green, with 64mb cache. Just out of interest dtravis7, is there a massive difference between Black and Green. I mean noticeable?

I know I need to get a special slot loading DVD drive, but I was wondering if there was a large selection of choice, of good quality DVD Drives? I have read in many forum that the Matshita drives really are bad.

Anyway, on ebay, they have drives like this:

NEW AD-5630A DVD±RW Drive Apple iMac G5 Powerbook G4 - eBay (item 320603785687 end time Nov-13-10 20:06:22 PST)

It's a SONY-NEC AD-5630A. I'm not sure if it's very good or not, but when you scroll down and check out compatibility. It lists the UJ-846.
There are other drives like that too. So I was wondering if I am just limited to one from OWC's or even Pioneer. Surely there must be other drives too?!

I know it will be my choice alone in the end, just really wanted as much knowledge as possible before I jump. Oh, is it important if I get the bezel or not by the way?

*Great to know that the OWC DVD-RW is reliable though... humm, food for thought!

Cheers all,


Monkeynuts

 

[harryb2448]

Here is a link advertising a 2TB hdd for your iMac, which takes the standard 3.5" desktop SATA drive as dtravis7 points out. The laptop drive I mentioned is for optical drives:-

iMac 17" 1.83 GHz (EMC No. 2124) Parts - iFixit

 

[dtravis7]

On WD Green drives. I was at Best Buy. There are the Green, Blue and Black. I noticed the Green drives are very light in the same sized box. Came home and read a lot of reviews on New Egg. LOTS of people with Green drives dying. The Green is for Environmental and they seem to be build a lot cheaper than the Blue and especially the Black series.

In my iMac I bought the Blue one. Felt twice as heavy in the same sized box as the green and got much better reviews. The Black are the best performing and built but the most expensive.

That is what I found out. Hope the info helps.

 

[monkeynuts*]

Oh *&%^&$%#!!!

Thanks for your help dtravis & harryb,
I have ordered that SONY-NEC DVD RW, I'll post back and tell you how it is. I also have a new T7600 CPU @ 2.33/4M/667mhz that I'll also be changing out for the 1.83 CPU.

*I accidentally ordered the 2TB WD Green !!! After reading what you said and checking online, it seems it doesn't know what it's doing when it comes to parking it's heads and then just ~~~ burns out!!! Still, I got it from ebay new, with any luck I can re sell it, as I got it for a good price. Been looking at the WD Black. Would you give it the two thumbs up?

I've had sooooo many hard disk issues in the past that I don't know where to begin! I'm glad you pointed that out. I would be really angry if I bought another ^*%^$%#$@# hard disk.


Thanks guys and gals, I'll post back once I've done all my modding.


Monkeynuts*

 

[mufngruf]

Just curious, can you point me to a link to instructions to replace a HD in a MA199LL? I've been unable to find any.
Thanks

 

[indychris]

Just curious, can you point me to a link to instructions to replace a HD in a MA199LL? I've been unable to find any.
Thanks

iFixit has almost everything. That's a 17" Core Duo iMac, right?

iMac Intel 17" Hard Drive Replacement - iFixit

 

[mufngruf]

iFixit has almost everything. That's a 17" Core Duo iMac, right?

iMac Intel 17" Hard Drive Replacement - iFixit

yer a good'un... thanks