Forums | MacLife

Make sure you get a slot load and not a tray load.

-mark

definitely not Radio Shack.

Try Newegg.

But call Other World Computing first. See if they sell anything. It'll be more expensive, but they're a mac-centric business, so chances are pretty good it'll work.

Is drive firmware and bootability still an issue post-Intel?

Here is a pictoral take-apart of (I think) your model of iMac. This guy is replacing the hard drive, but this should get you into the area.

Here is another pictorial take-apart. If not the correct model, there are take-aparts for several other Macs here.

You should probably read these notes that Accelerate Your Mac put together on taking apart the Intel-based iMacs.

Other World Computing has these slot-loading SuperDrive options. I have to say that I'm NOT ABSOLUTELY sure that these are the same drives that are used in the Intel iMacs (OWC does not list these models among those that can be replaced), but judging from this picture from my second link above and these pictures from iFixIt.com (which is for the various laptops), I think that they are the same. You should get the first SuperDrive option offered at OWC as that is the one for the aluminum PowerBooks.

EDIT: added "slot-loading" to differentiate the OWC options from the tray-loading options also available at OWC (but not through the link above).

Last edited by D'Eyncourt (2008-01-07 3:32 pm)

dvpierce wrote:

D'Eyncourt wrote:

Other World Computing has these slot-loading SuperDrive options. I have to say that I'm NOT ABSOLUTELY sure that these are the same drives that are used in the Intel iMacs (OWC does not list these models among those that can be replaced), but judging from this picture from my second link above and these pictures from iFixIt.com (which is for the various laptops), I think that they are the same. You should get the first SuperDrive option offered at OWC as that is the one for the aluminum PowerBooks.

You should call them and ask if it will work. Seems like an alien concept in this age of web-based everything, but it works.

WHAT!!! You mean, talk to p-p-people? What are you, some kind of freak???

D'Eyncourt wrote:

Here is a pictoral take-apart of (I think) your model of iMac. This guy is replacing the hard drive, but this should get you into the area.

Here is another pictorial take-apart. If not the correct model, there are take-aparts for several other Macs here.

You should probably read these notes that Accelerate Your Mac put together on taking apart the Intel-based iMacs.

Other World Computing has these slot-loading SuperDrive options. (snip)

Thanks a lot guys for the info. I have already looked at those same two dissasembly websites and  Yes my iMac is the same type portrayed there so I'm on for a tough ride changing the drive but I have done it before for my iMac G4 flat panel so it cannot be worse that that dome shaped thing...

I will be calling OWC and request their help on which drive to buy from them that will fit my iMac. But seems that no electronics stores sell this type of items in the US... that is quite surprising

I hope that OWC can send the item to my hotel while I'm in the US during the next week.

Thanks again for your help

Just an update,
I called OWC and talked with the sales representative there. The good news is that he said there is no problem to send the drive to my hotel in LA, but after explaining to him the model and asking exactly if the drive they offer will fit my iMac, his answers gave me the impression that he was not really qualified. I will take the info on the OWC page as true, but I was expecting some sort of "expert" sounding answers, but that was not the case.

Thanks a lot for your help