Thinkpads Forum

I want to put a DVD burner into my A31p Utlraport slot. is there any reason why this one wouldn't work as an aftermarket "upgrade" using the frame from an old DVD drive:
http://www.cdrdvdrmedia.com/pioneer-dvr ... drive.html
http://www.directron.com/dvrk15.html
any thoughts?

Jack

Shouldn't be a problem. You may need to modify the faceplate to make it fit though.

I've used this one on my T23:
NEC ND6500A

mysbca wrote:Shouldn't be a problem. You may need to modify the faceplate to make it fit though.

I've used this one on my T23:
NEC ND6500A

Hi! How you fit those in your T23? The connectors at the back...seems to be different. ?

the connector that is there now comes off and behind it is an industry standard type connector.that the IBM connector attaches into. Basically there are 3 side plates and the "bevel" (the side exposed) you can take them off and put them on another slim drive.

Interesting, I might plan to use that for my T43 someday... If I ever need a dual layer drive in a laptop...
But how would you modifiy the faceplate to fit a Thinkpad? That doesn't really look like it would match...

Navck wrote: But how would you modifiy the faceplate to fit a Thinkpad?

If I were to put one of these into my T22, I'd have to use the side plates and the back plate/connector from my existing DVD drive anyway, so I assume I'd just swap the face plate. Any T2x users know if that's the case? I don't know about the T4x series which I believe uses a thinner bay for the drive.

I fear that the bevel (face plate) is the wrench in the works. I'm interested in the slot loading drive and from what i can tell I would have to Dremel Saw off a small part of the face to get it to fit. I've read other posts that indicate if the button and led arent in the same spot you have to do some fudging around. But for $115 to get a dual layer burner in my Thinkpad it might be worth it.

Well I'm thinking you could swap the connectors and modify the bezel from an ultrabay DVD drive. Seems like it has the advantage of supporting DVD+R Dual Layer.

Nolonemo wrote:so I assume I'd just swap the face plate. Any T2x users know if that's the case?

I've tried using the faceplate from the old drive, but the connection points/screw mounts that hold the faceplate on seems to be different. The back and side plates fit perfectly.

You can't use these drives in the T4x series. These drives are 12.7mm tall, the T4x ultraslim drives are 9.5mm tall. As far as I know, there are no alternatives for the ultraslim multi-burners currently.

I put an NEC ND-6500A into my A31 by taking the bezel pieces from the left, right, and back sides from a previous Ultrabay Combo drive that I had from before (that died).

Now as to the front bezel (face plate), a little rectangular notch has to be cut out of it for you to be able to push the drive all the way back into the bay. I first did this with the finest, lightest hacksaw I could find, but have since discovered that the plastic material of the face plate is so soft that it can be cleanly cut with a single-edge razor blade.

It's a shame to cut the thing, but I never could find a way to detach it.

Steve

Weisman you are confirming exactly what i was suspecting. I was just unsure about how much force or tool for the cutout. It doesnt sound too bad if an exacto can do the trick. I'm tempted to get the slot loading version, anyone have some thoughts as to why that would be a bad idea?

p.s. do you have a picture of your alteration?

Hello Guys,
Ok, I recently dropped my R40, and as a result had to replace the LCD, all external plastics, lcd from blisscomputers in the USA, and plastics from local IBM office in South Africa.


The CD-RW drive was a rip-off though, I could not see my way open to pay US $600- for aa simple slim cd-rw. I had a solution though...a short while ago, a friend ordered a new Dell M60 Laptop, which uses the NEC-6** drive..and it came with a spare which he gave to me...a DVD Multiburner.....I had to undo the "cage" surrounding the Dell drive, and remove it's connector at the back...simple, 4-6 screws really.

Then I disassembled the IBM drive, the rear connector, and side bezels, and screwed them in place....drive works like a dream, fits very well....it is really a standard housing...all I need to do now is fit the front of the IBM drive (faceplate) to the new DVD burner.

I can give you exact model numbers etc, if you need them. Maybe take a pic or 2 and post them? Just notify me and I'll do it then.

Br,
MrBean.