Forums | MacLife
You are not logged in.
#1 2008-12-11 7:57 am
- VegasACF
- Flogger of Deceased Equines
- From: Knoxville, TN, USA
- Registered: 1999-02-21
- Posts: 4051
MDD 867 no longer recognizes optical drives
I know this machine is a bit long in the tooth. But it's a necessary part of my studio, as it houses my (admittedly antiquated) Pro Tools TDM hardware (that only functions in OS 9).
All of a sudden the computer does not recognize the two optical drives I have installed in it (one the CD burner/DVD player that came with it, one a Superdrive that I installed [well, same model as the stock Superdrive, anyway]).
I've examined the guts and the connections, and all appears well. Is this just a computer showing its age, or am I missing something.
I've got 9.2.2 and 10.4.11 (I think--if not, it's something close to it) installed on it. And neither recognize. I'm thinking something is amiss with the bus these drives are on.
Your thoughts and suggestions are most welcome, so long as they're intended to help, that is.
-VegasACF
***JUMP PAD ACTIVATION INITIATION START***
***TRANSPORT WHEN READY***
Offline
#2 2008-12-11 8:14 am
- VegasACF
- Flogger of Deceased Equines
- From: Knoxville, TN, USA
- Registered: 1999-02-21
- Posts: 4051
Re: MDD 867 no longer recognizes optical drives
Update:
It seems to work intermittently. I started it up just now and seems to work as it should. I bet if I restart it won't.
This lends me to believe that there's a wrench in the signal flow from whatever part of whatever board drives these drives.
*sigh*
-VegasACF
***JUMP PAD ACTIVATION INITIATION START***
***TRANSPORT WHEN READY***
Offline
#3 2008-12-11 10:18 am
- dv
- Negusa Negest
- Moderator
- From: Minneapolis, MN
- Registered: 1999-08-30
- Posts: 18092
Re: MDD 867 no longer recognizes optical drives
Are the drives on the same channel? Could be a dying ATA controller.
"Now commences the process of cutting off the head, which generally takes from an hour to an hour and a half by an expert workman with a sharp blade." -Reuben Delano, Wanderings and Adventures
Offline
#4 2008-12-11 10:25 am
- VegasACF
- Flogger of Deceased Equines
- From: Knoxville, TN, USA
- Registered: 1999-02-21
- Posts: 4051
Re: MDD 867 no longer recognizes optical drives
I believe they are (though my belief is based solely on the fact that they are plugged into the same ribbon controller--my knowledge of such things is lacking, admittedly).
Is this something that is fixable? Or am I better off finding a replacement computer on eBay and stuffing this computer's hardware into it?
Thanks for your response.
-VegasACF
***JUMP PAD ACTIVATION INITIATION START***
***TRANSPORT WHEN READY***
Offline
#5 2008-12-11 10:55 am
- dv
- Negusa Negest
- Moderator
- From: Minneapolis, MN
- Registered: 1999-08-30
- Posts: 18092
Re: MDD 867 no longer recognizes optical drives
VegasACF wrote:
I believe they are (though my belief is based solely on the fact that they are plugged into the same ribbon controller--my knowledge of such things is lacking, admittedly).
Same cable = same channel
Is this something that is fixable? Or am I better off finding a replacement computer on eBay and stuffing this computer's hardware into it?
Thanks for your response.
It's not fixable. But if it really is just the ATA controller, a new controller card would be the quickest, simplest solution - assuming you have a spare PCI slot.
Problem is, a single component failure on a motherboard like this can be the start of a grand collapse.
Knowing what your repair budget is would help me make a recommendation.
"Now commences the process of cutting off the head, which generally takes from an hour to an hour and a half by an expert workman with a sharp blade." -Reuben Delano, Wanderings and Adventures
Offline
#6 2008-12-11 11:27 am
- VegasACF
- Flogger of Deceased Equines
- From: Knoxville, TN, USA
- Registered: 1999-02-21
- Posts: 4051
Re: MDD 867 no longer recognizes optical drives
Yeah... I don't know what the repair budget is. And I'm fearing that cascading failure you mention.
So I'm thinking a new (old) machine might be in the cards. I found a dual 1.25 GHz G4 on eBay for less than $200. That may be the best option. I would rather have spent that money on a couple LCD displays, but the CRTs are still working. Yeah. I know. Old school.
I have zero spare PCI slots, thanks to my PT hardware (which is more critical than optical drives--I can always wifi to my MBP when I need to burn a disk--not quick, but better than sacrificing a PCI slot). If only these machines had all the PCI slots that my 9600 does.
I appreciate your help.
-VegasACF
***JUMP PAD ACTIVATION INITIATION START***
***TRANSPORT WHEN READY***
Offline
#7 2008-12-11 12:36 pm
- dv
- Negusa Negest
- Moderator
- From: Minneapolis, MN
- Registered: 1999-08-30
- Posts: 18092
Re: MDD 867 no longer recognizes optical drives
Firewire enclosure?
"Now commences the process of cutting off the head, which generally takes from an hour to an hour and a half by an expert workman with a sharp blade." -Reuben Delano, Wanderings and Adventures
Offline
#8 2008-12-11 1:26 pm
- mrreet2001
- Member
- From: NW Ohio
- Registered: 2005-05-25
- Posts: 4334
- Website
Re: MDD 867 no longer recognizes optical drives
2.66Ghz QuadCore-Nehalem w/24"LED CD ---2.2Ghz BlackMB---15" 2.4Ghz MBP(work)
Dual 2.3Ghz G5 (4G Ram, 2x 250G HD)(10.5 server)--- 400Mhz G4 PM (10.4 Server)
1.5GHz Powerbook---1.6Ghz G5 iMac
"So he fels down in a poisoning gas."
Offline
#9 2008-12-11 3:18 pm
- dv
- Negusa Negest
- Moderator
- From: Minneapolis, MN
- Registered: 1999-08-30
- Posts: 18092
Re: MDD 867 no longer recognizes optical drives
Too expensive.
http://www.provantage.com/acomdata-dvex … COM01M.htm
Bought a few things from them. Haven't needed to return anything yet so I can't speak to their customer service/returns department. But their prices are typically very good and their shipping prompt.
"Now commences the process of cutting off the head, which generally takes from an hour to an hour and a half by an expert workman with a sharp blade." -Reuben Delano, Wanderings and Adventures
Offline
#10 2008-12-11 4:22 pm
- mrreet2001
- Member
- From: NW Ohio
- Registered: 2005-05-25
- Posts: 4334
- Website
Re: MDD 867 no longer recognizes optical drives
dvpierce wrote:
Too expensive.
http://www.provantage.com/acomdata-dvex … COM01M.htm
Bought a few things from them. Haven't needed to return anything yet so I can't speak to their customer service/returns department. But their prices are typically very good and their shipping prompt.
Owc has one in the 30's but I am not to sure about the prolific chipset ...I love my oxfords
2.66Ghz QuadCore-Nehalem w/24"LED CD ---2.2Ghz BlackMB---15" 2.4Ghz MBP(work)
Dual 2.3Ghz G5 (4G Ram, 2x 250G HD)(10.5 server)--- 400Mhz G4 PM (10.4 Server)
1.5GHz Powerbook---1.6Ghz G5 iMac
"So he fels down in a poisoning gas."
Offline
#11 2008-12-11 10:31 pm
- dv
- Negusa Negest
- Moderator
- From: Minneapolis, MN
- Registered: 1999-08-30
- Posts: 18092
Re: MDD 867 no longer recognizes optical drives
mrreet2001 wrote:
dvpierce wrote:
Too expensive.
http://www.provantage.com/acomdata-dvex … COM01M.htm
Bought a few things from them. Haven't needed to return anything yet so I can't speak to their customer service/returns department. But their prices are typically very good and their shipping prompt.Owc has one in the 30's but I am not to sure about the prolific chipset ...I love my oxfords
$30s? Really? Cool.
I'm just a cheap bastard.
"Now commences the process of cutting off the head, which generally takes from an hour to an hour and a half by an expert workman with a sharp blade." -Reuben Delano, Wanderings and Adventures
Offline
#12 2008-12-12 7:01 am
- mrreet2001
- Member
- From: NW Ohio
- Registered: 2005-05-25
- Posts: 4334
- Website
Re: MDD 867 no longer recognizes optical drives
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Syba/SYU2F5BK/
"Syba FireWire+USB2 to 5.25”/3.5” Aluminum Enclosure Kit, Black, for IDE/ATA/ATAPI Drives. New w/1 Year Warranty. (SYBSYU2F5BK) Same Day $34.95"
2.66Ghz QuadCore-Nehalem w/24"LED CD ---2.2Ghz BlackMB---15" 2.4Ghz MBP(work)
Dual 2.3Ghz G5 (4G Ram, 2x 250G HD)(10.5 server)--- 400Mhz G4 PM (10.4 Server)
1.5GHz Powerbook---1.6Ghz G5 iMac
"So he fels down in a poisoning gas."
Offline
#13 2008-12-12 11:11 pm
- VegasACF
- Flogger of Deceased Equines
- From: Knoxville, TN, USA
- Registered: 1999-02-21
- Posts: 4051
Re: MDD 867 no longer recognizes optical drives
May be the best option. I appreciate your help!
-VegasACF
***JUMP PAD ACTIVATION INITIATION START***
***TRANSPORT WHEN READY***
Offline
#14 2008-12-15 7:33 am
- VegasACF
- Flogger of Deceased Equines
- From: Knoxville, TN, USA
- Registered: 1999-02-21
- Posts: 4051
Re: MDD 867 no longer recognizes optical drives
Question that occurred to me (with a bit of set-up):
I seem to recall there being issues with burning DVDs to external busses in OS 9. But I also seem to recall that only being the case with iDVD. Is my recollection correct that a FireWire DVD burner can burn data DVDs?
Thanks again. I'm (slowly) developing a plan of action and will report back on what it turns out to be, and how it all works out.
-VegasACF
***JUMP PAD ACTIVATION INITIATION START***
***TRANSPORT WHEN READY***
Offline
#15 2008-12-15 10:20 am
- dv
- Negusa Negest
- Moderator
- From: Minneapolis, MN
- Registered: 1999-08-30
- Posts: 18092
Re: MDD 867 no longer recognizes optical drives
VegasACF wrote:
Question that occurred to me (with a bit of set-up):
I seem to recall there being issues with burning DVDs to external busses in OS 9. But I also seem to recall that only being the case with iDVD. Is my recollection correct that a FireWire DVD burner can burn data DVDs?
Thanks again. I'm (slowly) developing a plan of action and will report back on what it turns out to be, and how it all works out.
No, it's an OS X Disc Burning thing, regardless of using iDVD or something else.
The introduction of a Firewire bus shouldn't cause an issue provided the drive itself is supported. If it worked before, it should work after. But failing that, use Patchburn.
"Now commences the process of cutting off the head, which generally takes from an hour to an hour and a half by an expert workman with a sharp blade." -Reuben Delano, Wanderings and Adventures
Offline
#16 2008-12-15 10:20 am
- dv
- Negusa Negest
- Moderator
- From: Minneapolis, MN
- Registered: 1999-08-30
- Posts: 18092
Re: MDD 867 no longer recognizes optical drives
"Now commences the process of cutting off the head, which generally takes from an hour to an hour and a half by an expert workman with a sharp blade." -Reuben Delano, Wanderings and Adventures
Offline
#17 2008-12-16 8:26 am
- VegasACF
- Flogger of Deceased Equines
- From: Knoxville, TN, USA
- Registered: 1999-02-21
- Posts: 4051
Re: MDD 867 no longer recognizes optical drives
Thanks, yet again!
-VegasACF
***JUMP PAD ACTIVATION INITIATION START***
***TRANSPORT WHEN READY***
Offline
#18 2008-12-16 6:15 pm
- Pariah
- James Carville Fan..
- From: Belly Of The Beast, Oklahoma!
- Registered: 2001-05-24
- Posts: 18407
Re: MDD 867 no longer recognizes optical drives
The OS9 disk burning software hates externals and the only way I found to burn to an external was to use Toast.
"and it's not surprising that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."
Barack Obama
Online
