How to open CD/DVD drive on G4?

tendim · Jul 2nd, 2005, 09:01 PM

Hello group.

I recently received a stripped down (no HD, no airport, no RAM) third-hand G4 Digital Audio (733 MHz) from a friend who wasn't sure if it worked. I installed some RAM and an old 1GB IDE HD I had lying around, and managed to get the machine to start up to the flashing question mark/system folder icon, indicating that there was no OS.

Since I have no USB keyboard at the moment, I could only plug in a mouse. I did some poking around on the 'net, and found that if I hold down the mouse button while powering up, the CD/DVD tray should open, and it did. Dusting off my 10.2.3 install box, I managed to get a bare minimum 10.2.3 system installed on the computer. (Of course, once I get to the registration screen I am still stuck since I have no keyboard.

)

Anyways. The machine seems to run, but for the life of me I can't figure out how to open the bloody CD/DVD tray. On the front of the unit, from top to bottom, are:

CD/DVD door
"fixed" door (probably for a zip drive at one point, but there is nothing in the bay now
Power button (circle with line in it)
Reset button (small triangle)
Programmers button (I think; it reminds me of the small button from older mac's for programmers, to send an NMI or similar).
Speaker

That's it. There is no eject button anywhere on the front of the machine.

So, can someone tell me how the heck I open the door? I can't see myself holding down the mouse button and resetting every day to open the thing. Is it something that would be on the keyboard? I seem to remember one of my friends iMac keyboards having an eject button I think.

Tks,
Patrick

CubaMark · Jul 2nd, 2005, 09:16 PM

Patrick,

You nailed it - you need a USB keyboard with an eject key. There is another way to open the tray, but it involves the terminal - and obviously a keyboard! :p

M.

CubaMark · Jul 2nd, 2005, 09:17 PM

Actually... Look more closely at the CD try door. There should be a "paper clip hole" - a tiny hole through which you can push a straightened paper clip against the manual eject lever.

M

tendim · Jul 2nd, 2005, 09:22 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by CubaMark
	Actually... Look more closely at the CD try door. There should be a "paper clip hole" - a tiny hole through which you can push a straightened paper clip against the manual eject lever. M

That was one of the first things I looked for, but couldn't find it! This is the digital audio 733 which is supposed to come with a DVD-R/CDRW drive. Any chance this particular drive didn't have the emergency eject?

tendim · Jul 2nd, 2005, 09:31 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by CubaMark
	You nailed it - you need a USB keyboard with an eject key. There is another way to open the tray, but it involves the terminal - and obviously a keyboard! :p

Good to know I'm not blind!

The Apple pro-keyboards are beautiful, but a little pricey (some places had them for $49.99 CAD). Any recommendations on the cheapest compatible keyboard, and where to pick it up in the Toronto area? I was looking at the MacAlly website and they have the iKeySlim for $19.99 MSRP (USD).

Gerbill · Jul 2nd, 2005, 09:56 PM

There's always an emergency eject somewhere. It's usually on the front, but occasionally it's on the rear.

Chookaboom · Jul 2nd, 2005, 10:04 PM

well, once you get into the system, you can configure a menu bar eject button if you don;t get the Apple Pro keyboard (details via the linkie):

http://www.osxfaq.com/dailytips/08-2002/08-27.ws

simon · Jul 2nd, 2005, 10:17 PM

I think you all are missing the obvious - the optical drive is a standard drive and all you have to do is access the eject button on the front of the drive.

It's been a while since I have a QuickSilver machine but I believe you can do one of two things - access the drive panel by opening it with your fingernail and you should be able to see the eject button to the bottom right of the face of the optical drive. If this can't be done then just remove the optical face plate to access.

Simply press this button and the drawer will open ... tada ..

tendim · Jul 2nd, 2005, 10:34 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by simon
	I think you all are missing the obvious - the optical drive is a standard drive and all you have to do is access the eject button on the front of the drive. It's been a while since I have a QuickSilver machine but I believe you can do one of two things - access the drive panel by opening it with your fingernail and you should be able to see the eject button to the bottom right of the face of the optical drive. If this can't be done then just remove the optical face plate to access. Simply press this button and the drawer will open ... tada ..

As I stated before, I can't seem to find the magic emergency eject button. If it is there, it is incredibly small. But taking a flashlight to the drive with the little face panel pulled down by my fingernail shows that the button isn't there.

farfisa · Jul 2nd, 2005, 10:41 PM

Once you do get a USB keyboard, try holding down F12 if it doesn't have an eject key.

If this is the digital audio model though, it should have a button right in the middle of the optical drive door, like this pic here:

For comparison, the quicksilver (which also came in a 733) looks like this:

...and there are no buttons anywhere.

If it is a quicksilver and you can't get a disk out, you may have to actually remove the optical drive to access the paper clip hole in the front.

But I'd try a keyboard first...