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24-06-2008, 11:02 PM
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Stuck in IKEA. Send help.
Group: Administrators
Location: St. Albans, Melbourne
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Hack MacBook Air external SuperDrive to work on any computer
Apple have apparently added firmware to the IDE-USB bridge to make it only work on the MBA. Replace the bridge with a generic one and *boom* - works on any computer 
More info: MacBook Air SuperDrive for all tnkgrl Mobile |
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24-06-2008, 11:37 PM
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Regular
Group: Regulars
Location: ...
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I was just wonderating the other day how long it would take someone to figurate this out. I speculatered that it was not a custom driver, otherwise someperson would have discoverated it already. I surmised incorrecterly it was a pin reversal or some sort of hard-wired jumper, or somesuch.
But now, in hindsight of course, it all seems so simple. Very clever find (and some neat solderating/desolderating and Klapton tape work in the photoset, too.)
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24-06-2008, 11:43 PM
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Regular
Group: Forum Leaders
Location: Sydney
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Not worth the effort. Nice find though.
__________________
MacBook 2.4Ghz C2D Superdrive w/ 4Gb ram, 160Gb HDD (White)
iMac 20" 2.16Ghz C2D w/ 3Gb ram, 256Mb video ram (White)
iPhone 3G 8Gb
1Tb Time Capsule
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25-06-2008, 12:16 AM
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Regular
Group: Regulars
Location: Adelaide, SA
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Good to hear its been worked out; but yeah, too much effort for me to be honest |
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25-06-2008, 01:37 AM
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It's a cruel, cruel summer
Group: Regulars
Location: NSW
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Don't forget it would be warranty voiding too.
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25-06-2008, 01:55 AM
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Regular
Group: Regulars
Location: Adelaide, SA
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Why Apple didn't allow it to work on any computer I don't know.
Surely they'd sell more of them then (duh!). I have a combo drive Mini and would've bought one in a heartbeat. Now I might.
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25-06-2008, 05:52 AM
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Still stuck in 1984
Group: Regulars
Location: Inside your head
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The reason why Apple have locked the MBA SuperDrive to the MBA is for reasons of power.
A normal USB port can supply a maximum of 500 mA. The USB port on a MacBook Air can put out almost double that, 950 mA. The MBA SuperDrive's power requirement is 900 mA, and can only be powered via USB.
Sure, you could patch a Superdrive and plug it into any other Mac's USB socket and it would be found, and could be used to read discs with, but as soon as the drive tries to burn a disc, the power draw of the SuperDrive will exceed the 500 mA limit and your computer will shut down that port immediately.
__________________
Tune into Psymbiensis, 24/7 chill music streaming straight to your desktop.
Cornell Univiersity says, "Watching TV shows makes you stupid." Break the addiction, visit White Dot today.
Wi-fi is a health risk, please use sparingly and with caution. |
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25-06-2008, 08:20 AM
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Regular
Group: Regulars
Location: Adelaide, SA
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Ahh, so the power issue still comes into play. Pity, it's a sexy little thing that would've matched the Mini relatively well.
I wonder if you could somehow attach it to two usb ports like some portable HDs...?...
Too much work probably.
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25-06-2008, 08:24 AM
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Regular
Group: Regulars
Location: Hobart, Tasmania
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Ah! I suspected that was the reason! Is there anything you don't know Brains?
__________________
If it is hidden, it is the flower - Zeami, Noh playwright
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25-06-2008, 08:58 AM
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: hopelessly addicted
Group: Regulars
Location: destined for sea-change
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Sooo, would a two-into-one USB cable fix this power problem?
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25-06-2008, 08:59 AM
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Regular
Group: Regulars
Location: Melbourne
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brains
The reason why Apple have locked the MBA SuperDrive to the MBA is for reasons of power.
A normal USB port can supply a maximum of 500 mA. The USB port on a MacBook Air can put out almost double that, 950 mA. The MBA SuperDrive's power requirement is 900 mA, and can only be powered via USB.
Sure, you could patch a Superdrive and plug it into any other Mac's USB socket and it would be found, and could be used to read discs with, but as soon as the drive tries to burn a disc, the power draw of the SuperDrive will exceed the 500 mA limit and your computer will shut down that port immediately.
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I can see only one recent use for this a dvd drive for the ATV that looks sleek
thanks decryption, atvpatch.com is pushing for USB DVD drive support in the next patch stick release.
I wouldn't mind the ability to play DVD's on the ATV it doesn't happen that often but i'd like to. |
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25-06-2008, 09:13 AM
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: hopelessly addicted
Group: Regulars
Location: destined for sea-change
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