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    eMachines M5309 Laptop DVD Drive Upgrade

    Discussion in 'eMachines' started by eaganfox, Jun 22, 2008.

  1. eaganfox

    eaganfox Newbie

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    I would like to upgrade the CDRW/DVD-ROM drive that came with this unit with DVD +/- R DL if possible but at least be able to write DVD + R media. Not much help from Gateway support on this. I did find a generic notebook DVD writer elsewhere but I am not sure how to open this laptop's bottom and pull out the DVD drive. The drive seems wedged between the top and bottom layers. Does anyone have a service manual or tips on something similar on eMachones? Also, is there anything I have to watch out for when purchasing generic DVD Writers for notebooks.
     
  2. olyteddy

    olyteddy Notebook Deity

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    Two screws from the bottom, spaced about the width of a CD apart is usually what holds them in for most machines.
     
  3. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

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    face plate (bezel) matching the direction of the eject button

    cheers ...
     
  4. x3baddad

    x3baddad Notebook Consultant

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    Two screws is right but first eject the drive,power off, remove batt, then the 2 scrrews The drive will then slide right out (may take some GENTLE wiggiling
    don't worry about matching the face plate just remove the plate on the new drive and the old switch an its all good or, who cares if it works and writes it all good. The lite on dl drive find them at Newegg work great
     
  5. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

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    true about a matching face plate, but matching the direction of the eject button, even though the face plate is not matching (interesting words play :D)

    cheers ...
     
  6. Airdog

    Airdog Notebook Enthusiast

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    I changed mine to an 8x NEC-6650A Dual layer drive last year. It works great. I just Googled it and found several new ones still available on eBay for around $44. You can't swap faceplates with the old drive but even though it doesn't fit perfect it still looks pretty good.
     
  7. eaganfox

    eaganfox Newbie

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    Wow. I checked back after 2 weeks and many helpful replies. Thanks a bunch everyone. Let me try this out and I will keep you posted on my progress.
     
  8. merlin666

    merlin666 Notebook Consultant

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    Did you have any success and find location of srews etc? The optical drive on my M6811 is losing functionality and I am looking for a replacement option. What kind of a drive would I even have to look for?
     
  9. merlin666

    merlin666 Notebook Consultant

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    I have been shopping around for drives and have found that there are two types: with SATA or IDE connections. They cost about the same, so I am wondering which one would be better for an M6811?