Ugrade to a DVD Burner

I want to install a DVD burner in my laptop that currently has a DVD reader/CD burner. I have a 3 or 4 year old Compal CL51 (like this one http://www.topmicrousa.com/coclincela1.html ). I've upgraded the ram to 1GB and had a 120GB hard drive installed, so I'm not ready to replace the laptop just yet. I do have a DVD burner on my desktop, so it's not critical, I just thought if I could do it fairly cheap I'd do it. MDG, where I bought the computer, wants about $150 to do it, but I think I should be able to easily swap it out myself. I'm just concerned about compatibility issues and drivers. I'm running Windows XP SP2.

I've found a bunch of "Sony/NEC AD-5540A slim DVD Burner" on Ebay for less than $50 but they don't come with any software. Any ideas on how I can determine if it would be compatible with my laptop (the picture looks the same as the one I have in the laptop now; I took it out to look at it, so physically I think it should fit), and whether I would be able to get any appropriate software to make it run? Or does anyone have any better ideas?

 

You won't need any drivers or software to swap as long as the basic interface is correct (IDE vs SATA). I'd cosider getting a nice USB external if I were you though. Full size drives are a lot more robust than slim type and can you really imagine a situation that would require you to burn a DVD on the road?

 

Actually, yeah. I spend quite a bit of time out of town and have run into a few situations where I wanted to do some burning. It just happened again over the holidays which is why I'm looking into this now.

Any idea how I would determine if what I currently have is IDE or SATA? Thanks!

 

Ok, I did a search by model number. The drive I currently have (LSC 24082K) is IDE. The Sony/NEC AD-5540A is E-IDE/ATAPI. Do you think that would that be compatible? The Sony is dual layer, which made me wonder if it may be too new for my older computer.

 

Since most laptops use industry standard 12.7mm high optical drives with the industry standard JAE50 interface connector, one can swap in most any laptop optical drive. That is, unless the laptop is a ThinkPad or some ultraportable laptop that requires a 9mm height optical drive with a proprietary interface connector.

That said the two most important things to watch out for are the IDE master/slave setting and the optical drive's front bezel (i.e. the plastic deal with the eject button, emergency eject hole and activity LED).

Some laptops require the optical drive to be set as an IDE master or slave and won't boot if the optical drive is set in the default IDE cable select mode. Some optical drives can be flashed to act as an IDE master or slave. For those that can't, since there's no jumpers to switch the drive's IDE mode, the JAE50 interface connector will have to be modified directly. This is a somewhat involved procedure that will void the drive's warranty and naturally isn't for the faint of heart but it's doable nonetheless.

As far as the front bezel goes, older laptops usually have a proprietary bezel that's cut to fit a particular laptop case and will only fit a particular optical drive. New laptops with the traditional full rectangular flat bezel don't have this problem so any newer drive can fit without modification. In the case of older laptops, sometimes it's possible to swap out the front bezel of the new drive with the original drive. Other times it makes more sense to whip out a Dremel and cut the new drive's bezel to fit the laptop's case.

 

If the existing optical drive has one IDE channel for itself then the master / slave setting is not an issue. Look in Device Manager, IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers and see if one channel has only a device which has UDMA 2 (or possibly PIO) as the current transfer mode. If one IDE channel has both UDMA 2 and UDMA 5 (HDD) then the master / slave setting is important.

The bezels are hooked onto the drive and the fixings are standard. I have managed to unhook bezels and transfer them, but it needs a little care.

John

 

Well this may be over my head after all. The specs posted on the Sony don't say anything about Master or Slave. Under my device manager I have 4 items listed under IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers:

• Intel(R) 82801DBM Ultra ATA Storage Controller - 24CA
• Primary IDE Channel
• Secondary IDE Channel
• Winbond Secure Digital Storage (SD/MMC) Device Driver

As far as "bezels", do you mean the plastic mounting hardware for the drive? As far as physical compatibility, when I take the plastic "frame" off of the drive I currently have (six tiny screws) it looks exactly like the one pictured for sale.

Here's the link for one of the drives on Ebay that shows its specs (I know the auction will likely be over before this discussion is done but at least I'll know if I'm on the right track):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110210539921

And here's the drive currently in the laptop:

http://www.ciao.co.uk/LiteOn_LSC_24082K__5770942

 

@ Jacqui I have the same laptop and did the same thing some time ago with NEC ND 7550 drive. It be a ride in the park for you that easy.. You'll have the drive sitting back about 3mm or so from the front as the bezels on the drive does not match the original one. just make sure you place all components ( housing rail and daughter board &metal retainer strip) from old drive onto new one. There are many free software on the market to burn DVD's.. Good luck happy DVD burning..
Is your old drive the SBW-242? Bloody good drive at reading (ripping DVD's)

 

So I just need to physically swap it out and don't have to worry about any drivers or installation software? Right on. I'll go ahead and order one then.

I already have burning software as I have a burner on my desktop. I can back up dvd's on the laptop, just can't burn any. If I can put one in cheaply it would be worth it for the convenience.

Thanks for the help everyone, I'm off to buy a burner!

 

The bezel is also caused the fascia. ie the bit of plastic on the front of the HDD which matches the computer. It is normally held on by several plastic hooks (see the attached photo) which can be unhooked with a small screwdriver once you have removed the drive and opened the drawer (use an un-bent paperclip to trigger the emergency release).

The existing ODD probably has some fixing brackets and maybe a plug adaptor which will need to be swapped over onto the new drive.

John

 

@Jacqui thats right you dot need any drivers just go ahead with the swap. Also download ForceASPI 1.7 if not they have a new version just out but I have never tested it v1.8 just run the bat file install once installed reboot PC and use aspichk.exe to check that they have been install ok. Here is a link to do some reading http://force_aspi_18.w.interia.pl/
@John Ratsey the bezels don't always aline to the new drive ie: eject button wrong location etc etc.
@Jacquci if keep the old SBW-242 thats if it's the same unit and house that in a USB housing as it a very good reading drive or place the new drive in a USB housing I know its a bit off topic but it's well worth it.. Have a good weekend to all

 

You may be correct that some don't match, but I've successfully swapped several during the past few years.

John

 

Thanks guys. I've ordered one, now I just have to wait for it to clear customs and show up at my door. I'll let you know how I make out.