Hi everyone,
hope someone out there can help. I've got a powerbook G4 15in that's
out of warranty running OSX 10.2.7 (all sockets are on the side of
notebook). Recently the combo drive (slot loading mechanism) broke. I
have been trying to find a repair shop to get a new drive. The
cheapest in all my searching is £225 inc VAT for a replacement
Mats---a (Mat-shi-ta) combo drive including fitting.

This to me seems ridiculously expensive as a internal Panasonic slot
loading DVD writer (Panasonic UJ-845-BPN Slot Notebook DVDRW Drive) is
£86 inc VAT.
I think i am more than capable of taking the time to fit a new drive
myself, despite what various "apple approved" repair shops tell me.

My gripe is that i just get a replacement combo drive for an
extortionate £225 not a new superfast DVD writer for £100.
Now i'm talking about the internal drive of the powerbook - i don't
want an external drive as that would mean carting around a bulky drive
as well as the lap top.

Can anyone offer me advice as to where to get a new replacement
internal slot drive cheaply?
But firstly inform me which drive would be compatible with a powerbook
(SCSI interface etc..) as i have not got a clue?? Is the panasonic
above compatible??

The apple approved repair shops are all reluctant to tell me more as
they want my money!

Frustrated Maccer!

You can download Apples own service manuals for your PowerBook from http://www.eserviceinfo.com, just enter "PowerBook" and click on search.

The exact link for the list of PowerBook manuals is
http://www.eserviceinfo.com/index.php?what=search2

The files are compressed using the RAR format. You can get a Mac OS RAR expander at http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/RAR_for_Mac_OS_X/1053350629/1

The service manual will be a PDF doc and all you need to do is search for "optical" and you find the step-by-step procedure to replace the optical drive yourself.

Regards

Peter

Go to Powerbook Repair Shop at http://www.powerbookrepairshop.com.

I found a really great powerbook repair site that sells both parts and services (repair/upgrades). The prices are the lowest I've seen anywhere. Ships very quickly domestically and internationally. Takes PayPal and credit cards. Has a high eBay rating.

Fixed my powerbook that I thought was a goner. If you are handy, I would purchase the combo drive and then install it yourself. The shop can direct you to installation instructions online... just need the right tools and you'll probably have a cheap fix on your hands. Best of luck!