Macbook Optical Drive Replacement

dmohalloran

Hi

My 2 year old macbook's optical drive is starting to play up. Rejecting cds and dvds, not playing etc etc. This only happens occasionally, but is getting more regular.

My question is: How much is it to get it replaced at somewhere like Mactivate?

I have emailed the various companies for a price. If it is more than 200 euro, I'll just wait and get the next rev as soon as I get some free cash.

Or is there somewhere I can get the part and fit it myself. I am handy enough around a computer, but the installation process for this looks quite tough?

Any one have any experience with this? I am not sure if it is worth the cost of the time.

Dave

Iomega Man

Hi,

Regarding installation,this should help.

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/MacBook-Core-Duo/Optical-Drive-Replacement/86/9/

IM

dmohalloran

Thanks Iomega Man,

I seen that sight earlier, and the amount of little finicky things to be done, such as removing bluetooth antenna and the like, put me off.

On a related note, does anyone know if a macbook pro superdrive would be compatible with a macbook? there is a new drive for sale on ebay?
http://cgi.ebay.ie/APPLE-MACBOOK-MACBOOK-PRO-SLOT-LOAD-DVD-BURNER_W0QQitemZ270265084890QQihZ017QQcategoryZ80034QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

monkeyfudge

I understand your reluctance. I remember trying to get a hard drive out of an iBook a few years back and it was a total nightmare.

Have MacBook here that a kid jammed a mini CD into the optical drive... so contemplating if I should risk opening it up or not.

Don't suppose anyone knows any tricks for getting mini CD's out of slot loading drives? I blame the Wii for people thinking they can stick small discs in these things.

deevey

Macbook pro has a slightly higher disc drive than the macbook, 10.5mm vs 9.5mm so not compatible I'm afraid.

The macbook drive is a royal pain in the arse to take out (almost as bad as the powerbook 12'), but do-able with patience, you really have to strip it to bare bones to get access - replacing the ibook hard drive seems easy in comparison :-O

Regards the mini CD.. errr... take aparts yer only man I reckon...i dont think theres any easy fix, we get rid of VHS so toast isn't a problem, now were onto kids inserting mini CD's in laptops, how time has changed !

Simon201

Prob just the lens needs cleaning if you can get to it - but not with one of those cd's with the brush things on, better if you can do it lightly with a q-tip and some isopropyl alchohol. Have revived many a CD/DVD drive doing this.

dmohalloran

Simon201 wrote: »

Prob just the lens needs cleaning if you can get to it - but not with one of those cd's with the brush things on, better if you can do it lightly with a q-tip and some isopropyl alchohol. Have revived many a CD/DVD drive doing this.

Hey simon,
Thanks for your advice. I bit the bullet and began the process of taking the macbook apart to get at the optical drive. Unfortunately I got scared, all the screws were out and the keyboard off, I could/would not go further, it was just too finicky.
Anyway, I may try again later, when I have more courage.

Dave