Replacing MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-845E

[Frances144]

I think my MATSHITA DVD-R   UJ-845E has died!

It keeps spitting dvd's and cd's out without opening them.

The rest of my iBook G4 works fine so I want to buy a replacement drive.  Do I have to get an identical model?  My partner, who is good at this sort of thing, will have a go.

Or is it too much trouble and I should just bin the iBook?  Is there anything else I can do to clear the problem without surgery?

Thanks
Frances

[Mayo]

My G4 iBook drive has also died; the original drive was replaced under warranty and the current drive has had minimal use... Go Figure. I doubt that I will spend the money to fix it and I am certainly not going to attempt the repair myself because you essentially have to dismantle the iBook.

There are online guides that provide illustrated step-by-step instructions; your partner should check one out before committing to the project... Here is a guide for replacing the optical drive in a 12" G4 iBook.

The best idea that I have read is to print each page of the repair guide and use clear tape to stick the tiny screws to the appropriate page; you then remove the screws as you reassemble the iBook.( I think there are around 40 tiny screws of varying sizes that must be dealt with, so you certainly need a system in order to keep things straight.) ifixit provides a "screw guide" to help you keep the screws organized.

I think that you can install different drives than the one that came with the iBook; I recall seeing a DVD burner option at Other World Computing. The drive costs around $100 and OWC will repair the iBook for an additional $50.

You can also connect an external optical drive to the iBook.

[Paddy]

QUOTE

I recall seeing a DVD burner option at Other World Computing. The drive costs around $100 and OWC will repair the iBook for an additional $50.

And shipping from the Shetland Islands would be a tad prohibitive!

The model that OWC sells is a Panasonic one and it's available on eBay in the UK:
New Panasonic UJ-875

Shipping is a tad steep...you might do better here:

http://www.mini-itx.com/store/?c=5#p2133 or maybe not - shipping to the Channel Islands is a jaw-dropping £29.

Ah - here we go - free shipping!!

http://linitx.com/viewproduct.php?prodid=12056

Frances, I didn't know which model iBook you have, but it looks like the Panasonic drive is compatible with all of them.

[Mayo]

QUOTE

And shipping from the Shetland Islands would be a tad prohibitive!

I realize that OWC isn't an option; it was just the most recent price that I could remember.

[krissel]

If portability isn't an issue, do consider the idea of an external drive. They aren't that expensive and will work with other machines.

[Frances144]

Good idea!

I am now looking at external hard drives.  Any thoughts or preferences or experiences with one?

Thanks
Fx

[krissel]

I've had an NEC 3540 for three years (FW and USB ports) and it has worked flawlessly. Of course there are newer models available.

[Mayo]

I thought that you wanted to be able to use CDs/DVDs...  

[Frances144]

I do! I meant to write external dvd/cd disc burner/player/optical thingy

I want what I already have but working either internally or externally.

Note to say that partner has read fixit guide and reckons he is up for a challenge - he makes electric guitars and so what is there to lose?  Just all my emails (must back them up first).

Fx

[Mayo]

Ohhh... This confused me:

QUOTE

I am now looking at external hard drives.

An internal optical drive would certainly be more convenient to use...

[krissel]

Good point, Mayo.  

Just to be clear, the NEC drive I was referencing is a CD/DVD external burner, not a hard drive.

[Frances144]

Well...... I bought a new Panasonic drive from a very nice place in the UK (The Bookyard - The BookYard.  They are helpful and definitely know their stuff.

Anywho, I backed up my stuff and handed over the iBook to my OH.  Now he makes guitars, is quite technical minded and has a steady hand!

He did it!!!  With the help of the iFixit Guide, my OH changed my optical drive and everything works fine.  There was a slight panic with some clip thingy which he thought he had broken, but actually hadn't and it is all perfect (apart from a small crack on one corner of the casing - I forgive him that!).

So..... it is not impossible if you have my partner!!!  Thank you Richard.  You are the best and it only took 4 hours!

He says the screw placement map is invaluable too.

[krissel]

[gunug]

QUOTE

apart from a small crack on one corner of the casing - I forgive him that!

Tell him not to feel too badly about the plastics.  I think even machines that are 1-2 years old can suffer from
plastic fatigue and the thinner the piece the more brittle it can be!  I've got 12-14 year old printers that parts
will break on just by giving them a harsh look!

[The Bookyard]

Thanks Frances144 for the endorsement. I thought it worth mentioning that it's really not that hard to get the iBook case open without damaging it once you know how and if you have the right tools. The most important item is a strip of fairly stiff, thin plastic, like the kind used on many blister packs that you often see products hanging up in in supermarkets. This is perfect for separating the clips between the top and bottom case because not only is it non-abrasive, so does not mark the casing plastic, but it is flexible enough to run around that tricky front left hand corner which is the one that is so easy to crack if you are using thicker tools like spudgers or case pry tools. Anyway, start by removing all the screws from the lower case then ease off the thin part of the bottom case around the battery compartment. You've need a small flat blade screwdriver to release the case from a tab at the back of the battery compartment. Then with the bottom case tensioned by pulling it away from the top case gently, insert your plastic strip in the crack between then and slide along. This will allow the bottom case to come away from the top case. Do this all the way around.

I should also say that if you are really not up for it, we do fit the drives as well as supplying them.

Keep your Mac alive!