Thanks to everyone for their contributions to this minor problem. I don’t feel confident enough to tackle the replacement myself but will study the instructions given and see what transpires. Unfortunately, upgrading the Mac Mini to a new model will not do the job as Apple, and many other computer makers, have dropped the optical drive from their latest models. That would require the additional purchase of an external DVD drive.
Oh Woe Is Me !!! Regards John Thompson > On 4 Feb 2017, at 4:39 PM, David Noel <lis...@aoi.com.au> wrote: > > Hi John -- > > -- I don't know whether there are any problems with attaching an > external DVD drive to the Mac Mini, but doing this with my iMac was a > cheaper and quicker solution than going into the computer box. And > when I upgraded my iMac, I switched the DVD drive to the new model > without problems. > > David > > > On 4 February 2017 at 15:48, Tim Law <t...@peoplehelp.com.au> wrote: >> John I had this problem to with my old Mac Mini and given I hardly used it, >> and my daughter bought an external DVD drive which I could borrow when I >> liked, I replaced the DVD with an SSD drive >> >> The results were not satisfactory and I couldn't get it to load consistently >> from the SSD, so I swapped it all back and run the SSD from an external >> enclosure. >> >> The point of this story for you is that now the DVD drive seems to work >> again, so maybe the exercise in removing and replacing has jolted it back to >> live, or a little twist here and there has resolved a dry joint. Or maybe >> it's just put the wind up it so it's come to its senses and spring back to >> life. >> >> I assume it works now, I still never use it :-) >> >> By the way, running the Mac Mini from the external DVD drive and a USB port >> is WONDERFUL!!! >> >> Regards >> Tim >> >> Sent from Tim's iPhone >> >> On 4 Feb 2017, at 1:00 pm, Ronda Brown <ro...@mac.com> wrote: >> >> Hi John, >> >> Neil's link: >> Super-MultiDrive Upgrades – For all Mac mini models (G4 and Intel Models >> 2006-2007) >> >> NOTE: Not for Mac mini Early 2009 or later. For the Early 2009 or later >> models a SATA 12.7mm drive is required. >> >> Regards, >> Ronni >> Sent from Ronni's iPad4 >> >> >> On 4 Feb 2017, at 12:01 pm, Neil Houghton <n...@possumology.com> wrote: >> >> Hi John, >> >> Well, I guess the obvious answer is replace the drive ;o) >> >> >> Lots of info, including "how to" videos, here: >> <https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/optical-drives/superdrives/Apple_Mac_mini_2 >> 009_2010> >> >> I've used these guys before for RAM and they were quick and efficient. >> >> The thing to do would be to watch the "how to" video relevant to your >> particular model and see if it is the sort of procedure you would be happy >> to do yourself. >> >> If you are happy to do it yourself, it would be a relatively cheap option. >> >> Of course, if you are not comfortable with this sort of exercise then you >> could go to a professional - I guess it depends how much you want to spend >> on an 8 year old mac mini. I'm sure Daniel could give you some advice here. >> >> >> I do understand your desire to keep the old machines going - I'm still using >> my late 2009 core i7 27" iMac and it is a lovely machine :o) >> >> >> HTH >> >> >> >> Cheers >> >> >> >> Neil >> -- >> Neil R. Houghton >> Albany, Western Australia >> Tel: +61 8 9841 6063 >> Email: n...@possumology.com >> >> >> >> >> >> >> on 4/2/17 10:12, John Thompson at jetj...@optusnet.com.au wrote: >> >> Hi, >> >> My 2009 Mac Mini Optical drive has given up the ghost. It does notappear to >> >> be recognised by the computer or disk utility. Is there any fix? >> >> >> Regards >> >> >> John Thompson >> >> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- >> Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> >> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> >> Settings & Unsubscribe - >> <http://lists.wamug.org.au/listinfo/wamug.org.au-wamug> >> >> >> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- >> Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> >> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> >> Settings & Unsubscribe - >> <http://lists.wamug.org.au/listinfo/wamug.org.au-wamug> > -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- > Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> > Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> > Settings & Unsubscribe - > <http://lists.wamug.org.au/listinfo/wamug.org.au-wamug> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> Settings & Unsubscribe - <http://lists.wamug.org.au/listinfo/wamug.org.au-wamug>
