[loren s]

I have here a powerbook 12" and the dvd drive seems to be nuked. It constantly spits out discs of whatever I put into it now.

Hardware MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-816 I read alot of the same stories about it but have not found a vendor for its part yet optical drive

Does anyone know of either a good replacement or same hardware at where I can purchace it ???

[Timetheus]

This should work, I've never ordered from them myself, but I think they just dissect Mac laptops and sell the parts:

iFixit - iBook & PowerBook Parts

[Sherman Homan]

iFixit is great, try Blue Raven also:
Blue Raven

[mfbernstein]

PowerBook Guy has a used combo drive that's compatible with your machine for $80.

[romeosc]

MCE has new Superdrives for $99
http://www.mcetech.com/pbg4dvdr8dl.html

[wubrew]

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/optic...ves/powerbook/
http://www.welovemacs.com/disks-stor...om-drives.html
http://www.applepalace.com/scripts/default.asp
Go for the newer OD. Cost less than the older one. Especially the DL version. Might find it @ a PC store for less. Make sure you know whether your 12" PB is configured as Master/slave or master/master for the HD/OD config. So the OD you get can be configured accordingly. I went through immense amount of frustration realizing that my 15"PB the last rev/HR/DL is configured as M/S instead of M/M as in the pre last rev 15" PB.

[daystartech]

There are a number of places where you can get replacement DVD drives. eBay often has the best prices. We offer them at Daystar as well.

But, most importantly, if you are going inside the 12" PowerBook and removing the optical drive, be sure to change the optical flex cable a the same time. The little bugger is only good for one or two removals. And will cause all types of problems. Daystar has the new cable with a kit (the EMI shield, screws) for $25.

[wubrew]

Originally Posted by daystartech 

But, most importantly, if you are going inside the 12" PowerBook and removing the optical drive, be sure to change the optical flex cable a the same time. The little bugger is only good for one or two removals. And will cause all types of problems. Daystar has the new cable with a kit (the EMI shield, screws) for $25.

Gary, that is a great advice. Get a new one, not one pilferred from another PB.

[loren s]

Sweeet! Thank you all. This sounds great, and I will get the new cable as well. Many thanks