5th CDRW/DVD Drive 4th keyboard on T43

[mpcook]

Fortunately still under warranty. Since I have onsite warranty, I had the tech come out this time and replace both and test them. Both new ones look good for now. He claimed they would never send out a refurbished CD drive, but I think they do. This replacement is new. I am so glad I extended the warranty. I have to say though I am happy with my four T43's. The one with the extended warranty is the only one I have had any problems with.

Mike

[killer]

A stroke of luck that you extended the warranty. Well done!

[sktn77a]

The sure do use used (sorry, "refurbished") optical drives as warranty replacements. Just look at the date on the top of the drive - it probably says 2004 or 2005 and I doubt they've had perfectly new drives siting around on the shelf for 4-5 years!

[sktn77a]

The one with the extended warranty is the only one I have had any problems with.

Yeah, mine too - isn't it amazing!

[mpcook]

The sure do use used (sorry, "refurbished") optical drives as warranty replacements. Just look at the date on the top of the drive - it probably says 2004 or 2005 and I doubt they've had perfectly new drives siting around on the shelf for 4-5 years!

The one that just got replaced was Oct 2005. The "new" one says Dec 2008, so maybe it was unused, maybe not. He took it out of a sealed box, but of course, IBM may have sealed up a used one!

Mike

[SkiBunny]

The sure do use used (sorry, "refurbished") optical drives as warranty replacements. Just look at the date on the top of the drive - it probably says 2004 or 2005 and I doubt they've had perfectly new drives siting around on the shelf for 4-5 years!

The one that just got replaced was Oct 2005. The "new" one says Dec 2008, so maybe it was unused, maybe not. He took it out of a sealed box, but of course, IBM may have sealed up a used one!

Mike

Check its part number and specs. I can't imagine that in Dec 2008 M a t s u s h i t a was still making those slow error-prone burners that shipped with the original T43/42 machines.

[mpcook]

Check its part number and specs. I can't imagine that in Dec 2008 M a t s u s h i t a was still making those slow error-prone burners that shipped with the original T43/42 machines.

It is a Hitachi, same as at least two of the others they sent me. FRU PN 39T2675.

Mike

[sktn77a]

The one that just got replaced was Oct 2005. The "new" one says Dec 2008, so maybe it was unused, maybe not. He took it out of a sealed box, but of course, IBM may have sealed up a used one!

Wow, well, if it says Dec 2008 it sure could be new. Does it have the bevelled front fascia or flat one (like the T6x series)? I've never received a warranty replacement optical drive of such recent vintage (mostly 2004-2005).

[mpcook]

Wow, well, if it says Dec 2008 it sure could be new. Does it have the bevelled front fascia or flat one (like the T6x series)? I've never received a warranty replacement optical drive of such recent vintage (mostly 2004-2005).

It has the beveled face, perfect fit. So far it works fine.

The other thing I noticed, the tech said he had to return the old drive, but not the old keyboard. So now I have an extra keyboard (noisy on right side but works fine otherwise). But then it makes you wonder do those old drives go??

Mike

[killer]

When my HDD failed (under warranty) I was sent a replacement by courier. The courier had to be given the old one before handing me the replacement.

I think that is fair. The manufacturer of the HDD would have guaranteed it, so IBM can send it back to them and get a refund.

I never checked if there was a date on the replacement. I must have a look when I have some spare time.

[mpcook]

The one that just got replaced was Oct 2005. The "new" one says Dec 2008, so maybe it was unused, maybe not. He took it out of a sealed box, but of course, IBM may have sealed up a used one!

Mike

An update on the T43 optical drive saga. I am now on my sixth, the aforementioned Dec 2008 drive failed (sounds like a helecopter going over the Rockies in a snow storm). I received overnight another new Dec 2008 replacement. Di not have to send the old one back. I guess they have given up on those. The new one works fine (for now). Still under waranty for about 5 months.

Mike

[RealBlackStuff]

Are you using the open CD-tray as a holder for your coffee mug (not unheard of...)?

[mpcook]

Are you using the open CD-tray as a holder for your coffee mug (not unheard of...)?

Haha, that's a good one but no, my large sized Starbucks mug does not fit! In fact, I really don't use the drive very often. This last time, it's been a couple of months, and I went to start creating some CD's as backups, and the problem became apparent again.

I suspect a "structural" problem with the base. When I had the tech here the last time to replace keyboard, it looks like the area on the right side is not exactly square or lined up the way it should be, so both keyboard and CD drive do not sit exactly right. The tech's solution was to shim under the keyboard.

Mike

[dr_st]

In fact, I really don't use the drive very often. This last time, it's been a couple of months, and I went to start creating some CD's as backups, and the problem became apparent again.

What symptoms exactly are you experiencing?

While I haven't had so much issues as you seem to be having, I did in fact replace the DVD drive once on each of my Thinkpads (one T42, two T60s). One of them was producing coasters, and at some point they all stopped reading certain types of disks. Current ones seem to be working fine (knock on wood), but they truly do seem of quite low quality. The one in my T42 is the Matshita UJ-822, and the T60 had the UJ-842, but was replaced with the Hitachi-LG GSA-4083N.

[irus]

i got a replacement drive - panasonic april 2006 last month under warranty - for post warranty pac.

dec 2008 drive sounds great. mine is a 14" t42 sxga+

probably the best purchase of my life havent felt the need for a new laptop since 2005.