CD/DVD-RW optical drive
Most modern laptops are equipped with a CD/DVD-RW drive also known as an optical disc drive which allows it to read and write data from or to a CD/DVD disc. All laptop CD/DVD drives are shaped the same but they all have different face plates also know as front bezels. On the picture above you can see three different laptop CD/DVD drives with different face plates/front bezels.
When you are replacing a failed CD/DVD drive, you have to make sure that the face plate from the old drive will fit your new drive.
On the picture below you can see two different types of connectors found in modern CD/DVD optical disc drives. One drive has a SATA connector and the other one has an older slim ATAPI connector.
An optical disc drive with a SATA connector is not interchangeable with an optical disc drive with a slim ATAPI connector and vice versa. In other words, if your laptop motherboard comes with a SATA connector for the optical drive, you can only use CD/DVD drives with SATA connectors.
On the next picture I compare a SATA connector used in laptop hard drives with a SATA connector used in CD/DVD drives. As you see, these two connectors are a little bit different. The data connector (right connector) is shaped similarly for both drives, but the power connector (left connector) is shaped differently.
By the way, you can connect a 2.5″ laptop SATA hard drive to a desktop computer using same cables as you use for a regular 3.5″ desktop hard drive.
In order to connect a Slimline SATA optical CD/DVD drive to a desktop computer, you’ll have to purchase the Slimline SATA Cable.
If you are replacing the CD/DVD disc drive in your laptop with a new one, make sure your new drive is compatible with the laptop. The best way to find a new optical disc drive is searching by the manufacturer’s part number found on the old drive.
When you install an optical drive which is not compatible with your laptop, it will not be recognized by the BIOS or you’ll get an IDE #1 ERROR on start up.
HOW TO REMOVE CD/DVD DISC DRIVE
In most laptops, the CD/DVD disc drive is secured by one or two screws on the bottom of the laptops. Remove these screws and pull the optical disc drive from the laptop.
On some other models, the optical drive is secured by one or two screws located under the keyboard. If that’s the case, you’ll have to remove the keyboard first. After that remove those screws and pull the drive from the laptop.
Need spare parts for your laptop?
If you are looking for spare parts for your laptop you can find brand new and used parts here. Just search by the part name and laptop model.
February 20th, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Vero,
Usually there is only one screw securing CD/DVD drive on the bottom. Remove these screw and pull the CD/DVD drive from the laptop.
Here’s an example:
http://www.insidemylaptop.com/take-apart-gateway-nx570x-laptop-disassembly-guide/
Take a look at the step 4.
February 20th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
Thyme,
Yes, you can buy an adapter or even better external enclosure to connect your notebook SATA drive to a computer via USB.
You can find some cables and enclosures here.
February 18th, 2010 at 6:42 am
By mistake, I recently bought a Sony Optiarc BD-5730S BD S-ATA optical burner to replace a failed Panasonic / Matshita BD-MLT UJ-220. Windows Vista Device Controller shows the existing model as a UJ-220S, which made me think it is serial ATA or SATA. In fact, it is an IDE/ATAPI or PATA. Now I have to search the aftermarket for UJ-220 drives, which seem to be available only “used” (how much?), “recertified” (by whom?), or from small vendors. I’ll take a risk on one Ebay vendor, but don’t trust the UJ-220 to last any longer than its predecessor. I’ll want to use an external (and easier to replace) burner for most Blu-ray projects.
Which leads to my QUESTION: Is there any adapter cable to connect the Sony Optiarc BD-5730S BD S-ATA to an eSATA or USB2 port on my notebook so that it will work as an external drive? Most conversion cables I see on-line don’t have the distinctive “twin-L” shape (male or female?)of the SATA connector illustrated on this page. Does the right cable exist? Or would none work anyway because the DC power source must be split off and cannot come through the notebooks USB2 or eSATA port? Any advice appreciated.
February 17th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
Hello,
I need some help removing my CD/DVD optical drive from my laptop. I don’t know to remove it, it’s a gateaway laptop, model MX6959. Can you please help me?
Thanks.
February 10th, 2010 at 10:59 pm
cherry,
I think you’ll have to remove the drive and search for the manufacturer’s part number on the drive.
After you find the part number, google it. Hopefully you can find a new drive this way.
Alternatively, you can buy an external USB CD/DVD drive and use it instead of the internal drive. Of course, it’s a hassle but could be a good alternative if you don’t use your CD/DVD drive very often. Also, you can use this external drive with any other computer.
February 5th, 2010 at 5:41 am
Hi,
I have an old ide drive in my laptop, which is also really old (i.e. 2004). The drive is an old matsushita (a.k.a panasonic) uj-815. I think it is the ‘a’ model. It is a slot loader and when the disc goes inside, it seems to just spin and is not recognised. When it is ejected, it does not come out at all, except for a slight edge and I have to pull it out with my nails. Well, I think it is dead and would like to replace it. My laptop is a Mitac 8050d (a.k.a. Evesham, Time, Advent, Novatech, Tiny) and is still working well. If you have any recommendations for a replacement drive, I would really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance,
Cherry.
January 27th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
stephen case,
Are you asking about an IDE (not SATA) DVD-RW drive? Are you trying to connect it to a PC with IDE channels?
Just search on Google for SLIM-IDE-ADAPTER and you’ll find the adapter.
This adapter will help you to connect your IDE DVD-RW drive to a regular 40-pin IDE cable in your desktop computer.
January 27th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
i took my dvd-rw out of my laptop can i put it into my old desktop???
December 1st, 2009 at 7:55 am
This is kind of off topic, but my laptop died after about 5 years and I salvaged the DVD-RW. I was wondering if I can put that DVD-RW into the new desktop PC I am getting?
November 17th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Alex,
Remove the original DVD-Rom drive and search for a sticker with the Sony part number. Google the part number.
If you are not sure which one is the part number, google any number you can find.