[Walker]

Hello everyone,

I've owned this b/w G3 400 for almost a year now, and I've yet to use the zip drive. I've got an external scsi cd-r (with adaptec scsi card) that I use if I need to backup or transport data.

I was disappointed to read that scsi cd-r will probably never be supported in OS X, so I'm examining my options. If possible, I was hoping I might be able to replace the zip drive in my tower with a cd-rw. But this cd-rw would have to be compatible with OS X, (itunes, disk burner, etc.). Also, would I be able to get a matching cover so it looks good on the front of my computer?

Every once in a while, there I will see a cd-rw from a G4 tower for sale. Would these cd-rw's work in my computer?

I realize the easiest solution would be to get a firewire cd-rw, but the idea of clearing off some desk space is very appealing.

Thanks for your help,

Walker

[lothar56]

i think your kind of G3 would have an internal FireWire port, so you could probably rip the guts out of a FW CD burner and somehow put that in your case, but I don't know where you'd get a matching cover.

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[etphonehome]

Why not just replace the CD-ROM drive?

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"It will be a great day when schools get all the money they need and the air force has to have a bake sale to buy a bomber."

[Walker]

Because I like to copy cd's on fly from a cd-player to cd-rw. This way I don't have to copy the contents of a cd I want copied onto the hard drive.

lw

[Hakintosh]

Walker -

As long as the internal drives on your G3 tower are using IDE and the CD-RW drive from the G4 is also IDE, you should be fine. I often times see Zip Bezels for G3 cases for sale on ebay, all you would need to do is a get a duplicate of the one you have for your current CD-ROM.

- Hak

[cElls]

I think the B/W G3 only has one 5.25 inch bay and one 3.5 inch bay, therefore a CD-RW wouldn't fit in the bottom.

-Chris

[cschmelz]

Originally posted by cells:
I think the B/W G3 only has one 5.25 inch bay and one 3.5 inch bay, therefore a CD-RW wouldn't fit in the bottom.

Exactly right, but if you are willing to void your warranty (or in your case, just modify your case) you can do it.

A lot of people use a hacksaw to widen out the 3.5 inch lower hole and then use steel plumbers tape to hold both drives up. Make SURE beforehand that you can close the case without the second CD impinging on the CPU heatsink.

BTW this ISN'T a problem with the new 2001 digital audio PMG4s with their great new motherboard setup...

[Mark Herbert]

If you do a search of Mac Modification you will see it has been done before by modifying the case. From my understanding the Heatsink is not a problem with the B&W G3s only with the earlier G4s (pre-digital audio).

I am thinking about doing this with a SCSI burner but am trying to work out a way to cover the drive as I there does not seem to be any way you could mount another CD flip down "door" in the bottom slot.

If you work out how to make it pretty I would like to know.

Mark

[Mark Herbert]

If you do a search of Mac Modification you will see it has been done before by modifying the case. From my understanding the Heatsink is not a problem with the B&W G3s only with the earlier G4s (pre-digital audio).

I am thinking about doing this with a SCSI burner but am trying to work out a way to cover the drive as I there does not seem to be any way you could mount another CD flip down "door" in the bottom slot.

If you work out how to make it pretty I would like to know.

Mark

[blue]

THe only way I found to make it pretty was to paint the lower drive blue to match my case. I considered attaching the old plain bezel to the drive tray of the lower drice + making a s mell hole + jury rigging a button to open it, but I'm lazy as sin so I just busted outhe blue paint. Yay for being slack.

If anyone wants to know how to fit a second drive, just e-mail me+ I'll put together a little faq.

b.

baumaus@mac.com