Upgrade that PowerBook 1400 CD-ROM (also the PB 2400 & 3400) by Keith Benicek, Managing Editor

page 2
Upgrade that PowerBook 1400 CD-ROM

Turn the CD-ROM module around and take a close look at the connector on the back. The CD-ROM module you have to find must be the exact same configuration.

Here are the original Teac made 8x CD-ROM (on the left) and the CD-224E 24x module (on the right) that we found on eBay, which originally came from a Toshiba Satellite notebook. The housing looks nearly the same; forget what the tray and the front panel looks like. It’s the size and shape of the housing and the connector, which is important.

Original Apple 8x CD-R on left, Teac 24x CD-224E on right

The front panel with the eject button has three screws that attach it to the tray. You’ll need a jewelers Phillips driver to get the tiny screws out. Swap the front panels on the two drives, reassemble the drive with the new replacement CD module and you’re off and running.

Only three screws hold on the front panel piece

Pop the updated 24x CD-ROM into your PowerBook 1400 and fire out the revitalized puppy. You’ll notice that the System Profiler now recognizes the new Teac CD-ROM by model number (the system profiler doesn’t know the speed, but you’ll immediately see the difference when you spin your first CD.