dvd drive TS T633A not working

Hi all!

I own a Samsung Q320 since one year and a half. I have a serious issue with the dvd drive since months; i'm not bothered that much, since I seldom use optical media, but it is there, so I expect it to work!

basically, it is recognised but not working. as soon as a cd or dvd is insert, it just reads, reads, reads, spins it faster and then says there is nothing.

This happens with all kinda of media (cd/dvd, original/burnt, rw/w), with all kinda of OS (ubuntu, win7 64/32, and also doesn't read at boot, tho the drive is recognised).
I also tried to update the fw, with no success

I already contact Samsung support, but the only helpful answer is that I should call a PAY number to have some sort of assistance.
The thing is, I really can't give it back, is the only pc I have, I'm also writing my thesis.

to me it looks really like a hardware failure.
do you have any suggestions, both in terms of trying other software tricks and how to deal with the samsung customer care centre?

Many thanks!

 

Have you tried to carefully clean the lens? That's about the only maintenance you can do. Do you think that the burner is still in warranty? I managed to get one replaced some years ago by contacting the Samsung optical drive people ( samsungodd.com ) instead of the normal Samsung support. However, it was only a month or so old at the time.

Alternatively, you go out and buy a replacement burner. These are standard components and the specs for the TS-T633A are here. That shows it is 12.7mm thick burner with a SATA interface. Any other burner (personally, I prefer Liteon) conforming to those specs should fit although you will probably need to swap a fixing bracket and bezel from the old to the new unit.

John

 

Dear John, thanks for the prompt answer.

Actually I forgot to mention that I also used a cd with the tiny brush to clean the lens, with no result.
The whole laptop (and so the optical drive) should be in warranty for 2 years, so yeah it is still covered.
The one you managed to get replaced, did you just send the drive or the whole laptop? Because if the latter holds true, then I guess I have to take into account at least 3 weeks of laptop-lack, and I can't afford that.

Buying replacement stuff on my own, yeah is a solution. but you know, since it is still warranty, you always would like to get for free what you are entitled to; and indeed I would go for a disk bay !

Many thanks for the link and your suggestions!

EDIT: btw I can't find this product in the Samsung ODD website inquiry form, though some google hits reported Samsung itself as the manufacturer. Might be a Toshiba then...

 

OK. If it's still in warranty then you should avoid buying one. Another way to try to contact Samsung is the email option that used to be at the bottom of each FAQ. I used to get a reply within 24 hours. If you can first discuss the problems and get agreement to a replacement and then demonstrate some level of hardware competence, you should be able to get Samsung to send you a replacement optical drive for you to swap. It's usually held in by one screw either on the bottom or under the keyboard. The screw is probably about 5" / 12.5cm from the edge of the computer. This thread may help (it's SATA so no need to worry about the master / slave issue).

John

 

thanks again for your assistance, had an hectic week.
Couldn't find the email at the bottom of each FAQ option, so I am contacting the customer service like usual.
I will try once again to state my point and see what is their reactions.
The replacement per se doesn't scare me, as I already tore down my laptop to pieces and, well, I am currently typing from it

will post an update as soon as I get a reply from them.

 

hi again!

nonetheless I said that I have the skill to open it, cos I already upgraded laptops in the past, I can't separate from my laptop cos i'm currently writing my thesis, they asked me to call them to book a pick- up day.

After I replied to them, again, that I can't separate from it, and I can even open it, send them the drive and wait for a new drive back, I was told that it can't be done in another way.

Do you personally think there are some workarounds (like are there regulations around that it is not compulsory to send your whole laptop is just the dvd drive is defective, or writing to another country (I wrote to Netherlands since I am living here)?

Or shall I just swallow this and keep this defective drive?

Many thanks again!

 

In the circumstances it may be easiest to shop around for a compatible burner with an SATA interface with 12.7mm thickness (often called "slim". You then need to switch the bezel and fixing bracket to the new burner. Or wait until you have time to send the computer for repair (but back up all your user files first).

John