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New Power Mac users struggle to fit drives

updated 06:10 pm EDT, Fri August 23, 2002


Although a key selling-point of Apple's latest Power Mac G4 is its ability to house two optical drives, some owners are already reporting shortfalls. The new Power Mac case layout is reportedly able to house optical drives no larger than its OEM offerings. This shortcoming presents itself when users attempt to install third-party CD or DVD drives -- which can have trays up to 20% larger than Apple's standard drives. MacNN reader Jim Richter explains that he attempted to install a Pioneer DVR-A03 (DVD-RW) drive from his "Sawtooth" Power Mac in his new dual-867MHz unit. Mr. Richter was unable to fit the drive into the case, even with the drive doors removed. Apple Tech support has been unable to offer assistance to users with this problem.


by MacNN Staff

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  1. MacNN.com Reader

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    Joined: Jul 2001

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    08/23, 06:25pm | report spam | Reply |

    How do you eject?

    How do you eject a second drive?

  1. MacNN.com Reader

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    08/23, 06:33pm | report spam | Reply |

    Re to "How do you eject?

    > How do you eject a second drive?

    Option+Eject key. Non-Apple Pro keyboards would use Option+F12.

  1. DannyMac

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    08/23, 07:53pm | report spam | Reply |

    ...

    You've been STEVED!

  1. MacNN.com Reader

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    08/25, 08:57pm | report spam | Reply |

    Why doesnt it fit ?

    I would like to know how the drive is too big?

    You say...
    "The new Power Mac case layout is reportedly able to house optical drives no larger than its OEM offerings"
    Are other drives too deep, or is the tray too wide or in the wrong location to line up with the opening?

    I was surprised by the oval opening behind that large square door, but thought they would have made sure most drives would fit.

  1. MacNN.com Reader

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    08/25, 09:16pm | report spam | Reply |

    why me ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

    You spend thousands of $ and you can't even add a simple second drive. Apple tech support sucks. The thing does not even run fadter than my friend computer which is over a year old

  1. alittle158

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    08/25, 09:51pm | report spam | Reply |

    Tray bezel?

    I wonder if this person has removed the tray bezel? (you know, the cover that keeps dust out of the drive when it's closed) Apple removed these on all the optical drives in the Quicksilvers and the FP iMacs to prevent the bezel from catching on the door. They're doing the same thing with the optical drives on the new "Mirrored Drive Doors" Power Macs too (yeah, it's a cheezy nick-name).
    BTW, when you press the eject key, it opens both drives.

    -A

  1. MacNN.com Reader

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    08/26, 12:20am | report spam | Reply |

    this makes no sense

    if the new macs use the "SuperDrive" which IS the A04 - which is the same size as the A03, how the h*** can't it accept a A03?

    I think that there is just some operator error.

  1. MacNN.com Reader

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    08/26, 05:36am | report spam | Reply |

    Lame News Items..

    Why doesnt MacNN check their news before posting this kind of c***? one drooling vegetable not being able to install an optical drive doesnt make Apples new system a piece of c***... so relax people, he hasnt been Steved... We've just been MacNN'ed again!!!

    great reporting...

  1. MacNN.com Reader

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    08/26, 02:04pm | report spam | Reply |

    Me too

    This also happened to me when I attempted to install the Pioneer A03 drive into the second optical bay. The opening is tall enough for the door to open but it catches on the rounded corners of the opening. I was able to get it to fit by removing the spring-loaded 'door' on the front of the drive.

    Another problem I had is that the DVD-R is about a half-inch longer than the CD-R that my Mac shipped with. This makes it impossible to re-install the metal piece that covers the back of the drives _and_ causes the IDE cable to catch in the heatsink when the case is closed.

  1. MacNN.com Reader

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    08/26, 03:51pm | report spam | Reply |

    Specs?

    Does anyone have specs on the bay, and the maximum allowable dimensions of drives for it?

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