Question : Problem: Need a DVD-RW replacement for an iMac G4, 17" Flatscreen, 1.25 GHz computer

My iMac optical drive is not working and need a DVD-RW replacement for an iMac G4, 17" Flatscreen, 1.25 GHz computer (the white hemisphere iMac). The disks I am trying to read work fine when I attach an external USB DVD-RW drive so I know its the drive and not the disks. I am running Leopard 10.5.2 with 1.2GB of RAM.

I was wondering if there is anything special I have to purchase or if most IDE DVD-RW drive will work. Are there any special instructions that I need to replace the drive myself?

Answer : Problem: Need a DVD-RW replacement for an iMac G4, 17" Flatscreen, 1.25 GHz computer

Yes those are the drive you have to use.  On the Base of the G4 there may be some screws on the bottom of the base that would release inards of the MAC