I believe the Pismos only came with model M7931 of the CD/DVD ROM drive (24x CD and 6x DVD). There are; however, two different flavors of the M7931 drive with mechanisms from different vendors. You, as you have noted, have the Matshita mechanism which is denoted by the full model number of "M7931 (MKE #SR-8174-C)". The other model that came with Pismos is model number "M7931 (DRN-8080B)" which has a mechanism manufactured by LG Electronics. In my experience, the Matshita mechanisms are much more reliable as nearly all of the LG mechanisms which we have have failed and been replaced. This distinction is important when you replace these drives if you want to transfer the Apple faceplate to your new drive as these two different mechanisms attach to the actual drive itself in completely different ways. See xlr8yourmac.com for details on replacement (or upgrade) mechanisms.
I also believe that the 2x DVD drive, model number M5505 that you mention, is actually from a Lombard rather than a Pismo. Some Lombards did have an optional CD/DVD drive that operated at 2x DVD and 20x CD. That 400MHz "Pismo" you bought may in fact be a 400MHz Lombard! In case you are not aware of the differences between these two machines, the most obvious way to distinguish between a Lombard and a Pismo is that the Lombard has a SCSI (big 30-pin square port right in the middle of the ports on the back of the machine) whereas the Pismos do not have SCSI but have 2 Firewire ports in the same location on the back panel. Also, the model name of the Lombard on the bottom of the machine starts with "Macintosh Powerbook G3 Series" whereas the Pismos begin with just "Powerbook" ... then followed by the technical specs.
Beware... these two machines, although similar in appearance, have very different innards which are, for the most part, not interchangeable. For example, the Pismos have 100MHz busses whereas the Lombards were still 66MHz. I have heard that the expansion bay modules are one item that you can interchange; however.
Good luck! ... Eric
From: "Tekno Liber" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Pismo DVD player ? Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2003 14:16:08 +0200 Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
In my quest to get myself a decent PowerBook I ended up buying two Pismos, one early 400 and one late 500.
I am now putting together the best parts to keep and then sell the rest. However, my question pertains to the DVD players.
One has:
M5505 (year 1999) "Macintosh PowerBook G3 Series 2X DVDxROM Module"
The other:
M7931 (year 2000) "PowerBook DVD-ROM Module"
Sounds strange to me that it has G3 Series" as this was the Wallstreet range, and the unit doesn't fit that PowerBook, nor is the DVD supported in the Lombard...
Is the second unit also a 2X ?
Is there any difference ?
I am planning to keep the M7931, is that the best one ?
Laurence
-- G-Books is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and...
Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Check our web site for refurbished PowerBooks | & CDRWs on Sale! |
Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html>
G-Books list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-books.html> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-books%40mail.maclaunch.com/>
---------------------------------------------------------------
The Think Different Store
http://www.ThinkDifferentStore.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
