MacNN reader Alex Koralewski notes that he (and several other readers) have successfully upgraded their PowerBook SuperDrives--using a Windows version of the OEM firmware--to support 16x CD-R write speeds (versus the 8x currently supported), 2x DVD-R write speeds (versus 1x), DVD-RWs, and also DVD-RAM disks, although he warns that there are obvious risks involved with the "hacked update" that he provides via a simple package installer.

"I recently was playing around with a firmware flasher written for a PC
to be used on the UJ-815-B, the 2nd revision of the superdrive that
came with my Powerbook. I spliced it into an existing OS X UJ-815

firmware patcher using a hex editor and flashed my firmware for my
SuperDrive. The results are that it upgraded the drive to OEM capabilities []. I've been testing it over the last week and a few days ago released to
a small group of people for testing. Here are some results.



"I thought maybe your readers would find this interesting, but I
understand if you feel this isn't newsworthy information as it has
risks involved. Or maybe you may want to wait a few days and watch the above thread for any horror stories. In any event, if you decide to post this on your site, please include a disclaimer (there's one on my page, the first link)."

by MacNN Staff