Mid 2010 optical drive alternative?

[Davey29]

Hi all, im new here and relatively new to the mac world. I bought a second hand mini (mid 2010) around 2 months ago. I went to insert a cd yesterday and the drive would not accept it. The mac still sees the drive in system info so i dont think its a software issue. Im fairly certain it needs a new drive.
Im considering undertaking the repacement myself as the quote i have had to get it done is extortionate.
I belive the drive thats in there is a GA32N but have not opened the mac up to check this, does anyone know of any other compatible drives or does it have to be this specific drive?

[Smithcraft]

I believe it just has to be a compatible drive. What about other discs?

SC
_________________
Grumpy old man of computing.

[Desktop] G4 mini - 1.5Ghz 1GB 80GB HDD - Newer miniStack v2 500GB - 10.5.8

[Media System] Intel i5 mini - 2.33Ghz 8GB 500GB HDD - 4 x Hitachi 2TB HDD in a qBOX-SF - 10.7.5 (Thanks Phil!)

Make sure it has pins!

[geeji]

Before you replace your ODD, you should attempt some cleaning of its lens, using a dedicated cleaning CD.
If that does not work, you will need to replace your LG GA32N with a SATA slot-in (aka sload-load) Superdrive, 12.7mm high.
Compatible drives are :

Pioneer DVR-TS08
Matshita UJ-868A (RPC1)
Matshita UJ-875A
Matshita UJ-880A
Sony Optiarc AD-5670S (RPC1)
Sony Optiarc AD-7670S (RPC1)
Sony Optiarc AD-5680H (RPC1)
Sony Optiarc AD-5690H / AD-7690H (RPC1)
LG GA31F

(RPC1) means the firmware drive can be flashed to make it region-less.
Use iFixit Mac Mini teardown Guide.

[Davey29]

Thanks for the replies guys. The disc will not even slot into the drive, it only inserts a couple of inches and will not be drawn in by the mechanism. I cant hear any noises coming from it at all. Could it still be the lens that needs cleaning, is it the lens that also detects the disc is being inserted into the drive? or does this indicate that its the mechanism thats faulty?

[macmanmacman]

Actually what happens is two things.

1. the cd goes in and then comes out and the cd drive mechinizm malfunctions and sticks shut no cd can be inserted.

2. the same thing happens again but the mechinizm gets stuck half way and wont read or accept disks

in each case replacement of the drive is required sorry...

and yes i know it's spelled wrong auto correct sucks

[Davey29]

I thought that might be the case. I forced a disc in yesterday in the hope of something clicking into place and it springing back to life, well something did click but I think it was the click of something breaking further lol. I did hear a motor spin though but it still won't draw the disc in. Anyway I have ordered a new drive. Are the minis as awkward as they look to take apart? I had a look at the ifixit guide, the ribbon cables and plugs on the logic board concern me but I guess I will just have to be gentle and take my time.

[geeji]

[Davey29]

I ended up ordering the same model drive off eBay from china, took a while to come but i wasnt in too much of a rush. Anyway i finally got round to fitting it today, it was alot easier than I thought, took me about 45mins and is now working like new. Got me thinking has anyone replaced theirs with a blu ray drive, Is this even possible?

[geeji]

[geaclaesson]

Ok, so my drive in my imac has been dead for a while and I've made it without one.. but now it's getting frustrating so I figured I'd replace it.

I have a GA32N right now and it kinda' worked.. but it was slow sometimes so I figured I'd try and get a faster drive now since I've got to replace it anyways.

1) What drive would you guys use to replace it?
2) Am I going to have to configure anything in the system if I replace it with a different drive or is it just plug and play?
3) Is it a complicated process to upgrade the firmware of a drive to become region free?

Any help will be greatly appreciated
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-geaclaesson
imac 27" 2.93 i7 quad-core

[geeji]

[geaclaesson]

Thanks! Yes, I've read your post with the alternatives to the GA32N but I was wondering if anyone knew if any of them trumps the other superdrives.
_________________
-geaclaesson
imac 27" 2.93 i7 quad-core

[macmanmacman]

[Brendan]