On 2013 Feb 23 Sat, at 5:20 am, Erik Richard Sørensen wrote:

>> regarding G4 MDD 800FW successful repair with power-supply from  
>> Andy Cuffe <[log in to unmask]>]
>
> … Regarding the CD/DVD drive you can get a compatible dual-layer  
> 22x CD/DVD ATAPI/ATA DL-drive from OWC for - if I remember right -  
> apprx. 30USd +pp. The best and most reliable for a MDD is the  
> Pioneer DVR-117D (same as DVR-127A SuperDrive) or DVR-118D. You can  
> also use the Pioneeer DVR-115D 8x DVD-DL drive.

Thanks Erik.
And in case it may be of interest or use to others:

Unfortunately, it seems that none of those model CD drives can be  
purchased.  Not at OWC, nor Amazon, nor anywhere I could turn up.   
I'm reluctant to resort to used, since their life-span seems so poor  
to begin with...

OWC's MacSales offers a solution which involves
a $25 LG Electronics serial ATA drive  (OWC SKU: LGEGH24NS95)
and a $23 Addonics adapter  (OWC SKU: ADDADSAIDE)
bundled for G4 Macs for $46  (OWC SKU: LGEGH24NS90ATA).

I suppose that will work, but it is disgruntling to be forced into  
essentially a wasted adapter for near the price of the drive... and  
without assurance this drive will last any longer than the myriad  
other broken ones.

Does anyone know what fails on them?  They just seem to gradually and  
sporadically become more unreliable.  It seems head cleaners (disks  
with brushes) only rarely help.  There seems to be more deterioration  
with time than due to actual use or wear.

	Ben Andrus in Montana
	(observing fleeting hints of spring)