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computer madness — Brooklynian

computer madness

lilbangladesh
lilbangladesh
edited November -1 in The Lounge / Random Stuff
The optical drive on my PowerMac G5 crapped out today and I'm having trouble finding someone who will do an onsite repair. I called the Mac Support Store, but they aren't returning my phone calls. I pretty much called every store on the list that Apple.com said was in my area, but it seems that that list is out of date. I ran across a lot of disconnected numbers, or people telling me that they stopped offering onsite repair three years ago. And most of the ones that *did* do onsite repair only did it in Manhattan. :(

The Mac Support Store is the only store listed in Brooklyn. Does anyone know of any others in Brooklyn that offer onsite repair that may have opened recently? The apple.com site seems seriously out-of-date.

I don't know how I can possibly schlep this to Manhattan or ANYWHERE for that matter as I can barely lift it, let alone get it down the stairs. Also, I would have to take a cab, assuming I could wrestle the thing even out of the building. I really would not like to parade my computer around my neighborhood as that just seems to be an invitation to be burglarized. :( So onsite repair is essential.

I did call CompUSA and they were willing to come out, but they wanted $200(!) just for the service call. Ummm.... no thanks. I can tell when I'm being gouged.

Comments

  • doctorj
    doctorj
    What's to stop you from changing it yourself? An optical drive in a stationary is about the easiest hardware thing to DIY.
  • lilbangladesh
    lilbangladesh
    I'm pretty handy EXCEPT when it comes to mucking about inside a computer! And with all this cat hair flying around, I'm not sure I dare.

    My dad suggested that I get an external drive. That and a USB port adaptor (because I've run out of USB ports) would cost me about HALF of what CompUSA wanted to charge me, so that's very much a viable option.
  • doctorj
    doctorj
    Changing a drive is not much harder than changing a lightbulb; you open it up, look at what goes where, replace the piece. You might find a USB optical drive is appreciably slower than an internal one. Cat hair is not much of an issue; it's worth vacuuming a computer every year or two but that's about it.
  • quijibo
    quijibo
    doctorj wrote: Changing a drive is not much harder than changing a lightbulb; you open it up, look at what goes where, replace the piece. You might find a USB optical drive is appreciably slower than an internal one. Cat hair is not much of an issue; it's worth vacuuming a computer every year or two but that's about it.
    you forgot the part where you say how optical drives on Unix boxes
    never fail because of the Wonderfulness of Unix :shock:
  • lilbangladesh
    lilbangladesh
    The only guy to call me back told me he had relocated to Houston(!) so the apple support web page is REALLY out of date! The Mac Support Store never called. They suck.

    Anyway, the guy told me that getting an external drive is a BAD move and that I should just swap out the internal drive. He took me through it and it really is as simple as doctorj says. He suggested that I buy it at CompUSA so it would be under their warranty, so I'm going to do that as soon as I can get my butt there. (So many errands!)

    My dad is an idiot about all things Apple.
  • theoryofpractice
    theoryofpractice
    I think there are directions for how to do it in your G5 operating guide. It's not so bad.

    And while you're in there, pop in some RAM.
  • doctorj
    doctorj
    quijibo wrote:
    you forgot the part where you say how optical drives on Unix boxes
    never fail because of the Wonderfulness of Unix :shock:
    Umm... even supposing the OS could affect the durability of the drive, this Mac is presumably running OS X, which is a type of Unix. If we're going to start pointing the finger, it's more likely to be something to do with the behavior and lifestyle of the Mac owner vs. other OSs.
  • lilbangladesh
    lilbangladesh
    Ok, I have my new optical drive and I got inside my computer to install it and I CAN'T GET THE OLD ONE OUT!!!

    The whole procedure should be easy-peasy. I can see where the optical drive is supposed to go and hook it up, but the old one is screwed in in such a way that there is no way I can get it out, even with my jeweller's screwdriver. One of the screws is behind the fan and there's no space for my tiny hand and tiny screwdriver even to get in there.

    I need help! I don't dare take out other components and it looks like I may have to just to get to the old optical drive. Could someone with more experience in these matters than I do pm me? If someone could come to my house and help me with this, I'd be willing to pay for your trouble.
  • armchair_warrior
    armchair_warrior
    i'm handy with hardware. i haven't built one for 3 years but all hard ware is about the same. if you want :p tell me where you live and on my way back from work i can help you put new drive in.
  • doctorj
    doctorj
    lilbangladesh wrote: Ok, I have my new optical drive and I got inside my computer to install it and I CAN'T GET THE OLD ONE OUT!!!
    Ahh, know the problem. Invariably there will be a fairly easy way to get it out, but it can be extremely non-obvious. Like some infernal 70s coffee table puzzle. Typically optical drives can be made to slide straight out the front, but it can be tricky to release them, or require the application of some force, or removal of something else to get at the clasp or screws.

    Can't give you any specifics; last mac whose drive I changed was G4. Did you try poking around online with your model number to see if you could find some instructions about the ergonomics of the chassis?
  • lilbangladesh
    lilbangladesh
    I think the problem is that this is an early-model G5 and probably later models are probably arranged better. It actually presented a problem in buying the new optical drive in that most sold are for the later models. I had to call customer support at dvwarehouse to make sure I was getting the right one. I'm pretty sure I have the right optical drive because it looks exactly like the old one.

    Anyway, with this particular model, the optical drive does not slide out. It is screwed in. Accessing the screws is tricky as hell.
  • doctorj
    doctorj
    Does this help?

    manuals.info.apple.com/en/PMG5_OpticalDrive_DIY.pdf

    If not, what model is it exactly?
  • lilbangladesh
    lilbangladesh
    It's a PowerMac G5 7,2
  • doctorj
    doctorj
    As far as I can tell, the 7,2 is just a model number referring primarily to the cpu (PowerPC 970).

    Take a look here for step-by-step instructions:
    http://www.apple.com/support/manuals/powermac/

    Apple claims that while different models may look slightly different, the instructions for changing the drive are the same for any G5.
  • lilbangladesh
    lilbangladesh
    Then why are there two sets of instructions depending on when your G5 is made?

    And I got my G5 in late 2003. No instructions for that. :(
  • doctorj
    doctorj
    Well, the instructions for changing the optical drive are (c) 2003 and claim to apply to all G5s. If they don't apply to your box, that's unfortunate. You might try asking on an Apple forum...
  • lilbangladesh
    lilbangladesh
    Ok, *now* you made me giggle.

    I've never managed to get video to work on my iPod, and they pointed me towards the Apple forum, where I basically got to chat with people as clueless as I am. Never did get it to work. Apple products are great, they hardly ever break, but when they do, you're really SOL.

    Anyway, my dad emailed me some instructions and armchair warrior might come over later to help me (once he figures out how to use the telephone! :P )
  • lilbangladesh
    lilbangladesh
    Armchair warrior rocks! Yay, Armchair! :D

    It turned out to be a team effort because while it was a simple thing to swap the drives (and it did turn out to be simpler in a way; those weren't screws, they were levers! D'oh!), it still turned out to be a two-person operation because of the badly designed case. (Early adopters beware!) It took a combo of Armchair's strong manly fingers and my tiny, little fingers to get the job done, plus Armchair's willingness to tinker until the CD tray came out easily.

    But it's done! I now have a working optical drive. Life is better now! :D:D:D:D

    Thanks, Armchair!
  • armchair_warrior
    armchair_warrior
    your welcome, small space hard to fit hands in there to move cable ribbons.
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