I just picked up a Color Classic and want to hook up an external CD-ROM drive. What is the best option, that will not cost a bundle? Are there some standard vintage external SCSI drives that are preferred, and any more modern external drives I can use?
Thanks for any help.
You're pretty much stuck with an external SCSI drive; drives with newer interfaces (FireWire, USB) will not work under any circumstances with a Color Classic.
I'd try to find an external Apple-branded drive, since those can use the standard Apple CD-ROM drivers that come with the Mac OS. One of these days I'll pick up one of those myself.
SCSI external enclosures should be easy enough to find at the auction sites. Then just get an Apple SCSI CD drive and stick it in the enclosure. No matter what the ports on the back are--Centronics 50, DB25, HD50--there's converter cables or adapters that will change it to DB25 so it will hook up to the CC. You probably know about SCSI ID and termination.
So here's a pop quiz--and no looking at the Apple Museum or LEM for the answer: what was the first Mac desktop to come with a built-in CD drive?
Here's another question: which Mac OS was the first to have those "standard Apple CD-ROM drivers?"
Thank you for the help. I picked up a 600e (like to keep the Apple logo theme going for the hardware)
I'm more of an Apple II collector, but I'll give the quiz a try. I have an LC 5XX with an internal CD drive. Was there one before that, like the SE30?
I have no idea on the drivers question. OX 6?
its a IIvi or IIvx that had it (i think), Either that or the AIO models (like that Mac TV)
As for that one i do not know, but as a guess i would say OS 6 or 7.
But back on topic
I bought a External SCSI LaCie CD burner for my Performa 475, other then being blue i don't have any issues with it. I did have to find drivers that would work with it though. The Apple drivers wouldn't work with it.
Regarding a functional CD Driver for Non-Apple drives, I've had a lot of success with the driver that came with Mac OS 7.6 (I think "Apple CD-ROM 5.3.1 D" is the correct version). This particular extension is able to access pretty much all 3rd party optical drives. I was able to get a brand-spanking new, no-name (HiVal?), 12x External SCSI Drive off eBay still sealed and in the original packaging for for $9,-- It works beautifully with this driver, not to mention it's clean, and in mint/fully unused condition!