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    DVD drive is not reading disks

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by Razeruk, Dec 15, 2008.

  1. Razeruk

    Razeruk Notebook Geek

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    My inspiron E1505's dvd drive doesn't work anymore, i ran diagnostics at the boot screen to verify it.

    So is it fixable without buying a new drive and if it isn't is it easy to install?
     
    Razeruk, Dec 15, 2008
    #1
  2. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

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    It's very easy to replace an optical drive. There is a single screw on the bottom that will release it. You can then use the bracket on your new drive and also use the Dell faceplate so that it looks normal.
     
    atbnet, Dec 15, 2008
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  3. Razeruk

    Razeruk Notebook Geek

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    alright, i'll just bring my laptop to circuit city when i go to work or whenever and check if i do need to replace and if i do i'll just buy it from dell and hook it up

    also what's the difference between and IDE dvd drive and an non IDE and how to do i tell if i need the IDE one or not?

    and should i just get a new laptop if i was planning to over teh summer?
     
    Razeruk, Dec 15, 2008
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  4. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

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    atbnet, Dec 15, 2008
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  5. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

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    Up to you. If you don't think you will need an optical drive between now and then, they save your money.
     
    atbnet, Dec 15, 2008
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  6. Razeruk

    Razeruk Notebook Geek

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    yea but how would i know it's compatible with my inspiron e1505? or are most IDE dvd drives compatible with IDE laptops
     
    Razeruk, Dec 15, 2008
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  7. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

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    All of those are the slim form which are for notebooks.
     
    atbnet, Dec 15, 2008
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  8. Razeruk

    Razeruk Notebook Geek

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    ok thanks you very much

    one more question is there a way to find out if my laptop is IDE compatible
     
    Razeruk, Dec 15, 2008
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  9. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

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    Yours is, but you can look through the device manager and it should say ATAPI or something to that effect.
     
    atbnet, Dec 15, 2008
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  10. Razeruk

    Razeruk Notebook Geek

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    yea it does say that,

    thanks again
     
    Razeruk, Dec 15, 2008
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  11. Razeruk

    Razeruk Notebook Geek

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    just wondering should i bother bringing it to circuit city and see if they can fix the drive or is even possible to fix it
     
    Razeruk, Dec 15, 2008
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  12. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

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    It is kind of hard to troubleshoot unless you have a known working part. I suppose you could use them for diagnostic purposes but it will cost a bit I'd guess.
     
    atbnet, Dec 15, 2008
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  13. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    DVD drives usually cannot be fixed internally. Even if it is, fixing it will cost more than buying a new one.

    Circuit city will probably charge extra for a new drive plus labour (which you could train a monkey to do).

    You will save more money buying from newegg and installing it yourself.
     
    flipfire, Dec 15, 2008
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  14. Razeruk

    Razeruk Notebook Geek

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    >_> oh well i work at circuit city and i was just going to ask my coworkers if it was repairable and if they can fix it, since it's not i guess i'll just order the new one and install it
     
    Razeruk, Dec 15, 2008
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  15. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

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    Oh, yes the drive itself it not repairable, but the problem you have it. It would just require you to swap out the drive if that is the problem. There could be other underlying problems that cause the drive not to work. Perhaps you could ask a coworker to borrow a drive and swap it out quickly.
     
    atbnet, Dec 15, 2008
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  16. Razeruk

    Razeruk Notebook Geek

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    um the drive is registered on windows it's just it doesn't read at all
     
    Razeruk, Dec 15, 2008
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  17. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    Reading laser/lens is probably burnt out. So it doesnt read the CD at boot up either? Try inserting a bootable disc when booting up.
     
    flipfire, Dec 15, 2008
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  18. Razeruk

    Razeruk Notebook Geek

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    did that too, with multiple cds
     
    Razeruk, Dec 15, 2008
    #18