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M4400 Optical Drive upgrade

Discussion in 'Dell Latitude, Vostro, and Precision' started by Dabeer, Jan 12, 2009.

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  1. Dabeer

    Dabeer Notebook Evangelist

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    My question in the M4400 Owner's Lounge might be getting lost, so I'll ask again here...

    I'm buying a refurb M4400 that comes with a DVD-ROM drive. I'd like to upgrade it to a DVD-RW.

    Dell sells an IDE and a SATA drive. I'm not sure which one I should be getting. I'm hoping M4400 owners here might be able to give me more info - do all M4400s have IDE drives, all have SATA, or is it a mix? Can I safely order one or the other, or will I have to wait and see what my system has before I can order?

    Thanks in advance...
     
    Dabeer, Jan 12, 2009
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  2. LPTP-LVR

    LPTP-LVR Notebook Deity

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    The dvd is SATA...very sure of it. There's an option in the BIOS to switch off the SATA modular bay and that'll cause the DVD ROM or RW, or the 2nd HDD to stop working. It has to be a 1,8" device to fit in there
     
    LPTP-LVR, Jan 12, 2009
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  3. Dabeer

    Dabeer Notebook Evangelist

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    It's the one Dell sells as compatible with the M4400, so I'm pretty confident about the physical compatibility... curious, why would they sell an IDE if the M4400 can't use it? No matter... thanks for the input!
     
    Dabeer, Jan 12, 2009
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  4. SpeedyMods

    SpeedyMods Notebook Deity

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    IDE is not compatible. It should not be listed by Dell.

    Greg
     
    SpeedyMods, Jan 12, 2009
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  5. Dabeer

    Dabeer Notebook Evangelist

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    Thanks for all the inputs. I may have found a different system that will not require me to purchase the drive separately, so this may not be an issue after all.
     
    Dabeer, Jan 12, 2009
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  6. Siggi!

    Siggi! Notebook Enthusiast

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    On ebay there is an universal drive bay available for 2.5" HDDs. Search for item number 200301938020
    They are also developing a special version for the Dell E-family.

    newmodeus.com is developing a 2.5" HDD caddy that should be available end of february.
     
    Siggi!, Jan 22, 2009
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  7. Weegie

    Weegie Notebook Deity

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    I hope so,external eSata suck's big time.Too many cable's!

    Wonder if the transfer rate's will be affected,I remember someone saying that the drive bay uses a type of special mini sata connector.
     
    Weegie, Jan 22, 2009
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  8. SpeedyMods

    SpeedyMods Notebook Deity

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    Mini as in size. Just as eSATA is a different shape SATA port, it's still full speed.

    Greg
     
    SpeedyMods, Jan 22, 2009
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  9. Weegie

    Weegie Notebook Deity

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    Excellent....roll on,the end of Feb:)
     
    Weegie, Jan 23, 2009
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  10. Siggi!

    Siggi! Notebook Enthusiast

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    I received my caddy today (ebay item 200301938020)

    It works perfectly. Now I can install a 2.5" SSD AND a 2.5" HDD in my M4400! :)
     
    Siggi!, Jan 30, 2009
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