E6500 TravelLite Module Part Numbers

I received two of the incorrect travellite modules from Dell so far and the third one seems a bit sketchy as it rattles around in the bay as if isn't quite tall enough. The part numbers don't match up with what I see on the accessories site either. The latest one I received (on the left) looks like the one for the E6400 and carries a sticker with 0M011C-38561-87M-05FT-A00 on it. The ones on the right which didn't fit had 0H022G-69400-88U-01C0-A00 on the sticker. Can anyone confirm if the one on the left is in fact the proper one for the E6500?

 

Sorry to hear that. I've read before that this was a problem. For some reason even Dell doesn't know which is the right part.

Another alternative which *might* work is to find one for the Lenovo T400. If you look at the sticky on this subforum, the T400 2.5" media bay hard drive closures fit almost perfectly in the E6400. Since the T400 has been out for a while, I'm sure you can get a generic module equivalent on eBay or online.

 

Since the E6400 and the E6500 use the exact some kind of optical drive, a TravelLite module that works in an E6400 should also work in an E6500. In both cases, the optical drive is just a standard 9.5mm tall optical drive, so you can indeed try using a ThinkPad module or a generic module as well.

Do tell how it goes. I've been poking around trying to get one of these things for a bit now...

 

I believe the part number M011C is the one for the E6400, but I'm not sure if it's the same with the 6500. Regardless, the optical drives are exactly the same so they should be interchangeable.

 

It doesn't explain why the picture is different on the accessories site or why it rattles around in the slot as if it were not an exact fit. Sloppy product management?

 

I just checked the part list (which I didn't have before) and the part numbers are the same for the 6400 and 6500: M011C.

The picture may be different because they changed design. As I recall, Dell had a bumpy launch with the travelite module (the supplier did not make parts that fit) so they cut the part availibility until now. Now, they probably decided to make them again, and are using the old photo for the new part.

The rattling may be due to crappy build tolerances.

 

The global parts guys called me this week and sent me another one. This time with a slightly different part number:

0M011C-38561-87J-007S-A00

It still rattles around, video showing it rattling - http://vimeo.com/5144008

 

I get the feeling that now I know why they discontinued them for those 6 months. Their manufacturer for these has tolerances that are utter crap.

But in the vid description, you say that one you got was for the E6400. The E6400 and E6500 have the same bays, so what will work for the 64 will also work with the 65.

 

I am beginning to suspect that the guy who received one for the E6400 which I used as a reference also received the wrong one or, as you suggest, a poorly designed one. This sort of crap is unacceptable. If you aren't going to do it right, then you shouldn't sell it.