replacement optical drive for R50e?

Message

Andrew · #1 Post by **Andrew** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 8:46 pm

is it possible to replace my CD-RW/DVD-ROM optical drive with a slim DVD burner? on Lenovo's site for replacement optical drives, it says that none apply to the R50e because it's a fixed UltraBay. i know you can remove the drive as there are instructions for just the R50e and also movies on how to install/remove the drive. so is it possible to replace it with a different?

if possible, recomendations?

thx

FRiC · #2 Post by **FRiC** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:16 am

Yes, the e series use regular Ultrabay drives, they just lack the eject mechanism.

lowie · #3 Post by **lowie** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 5:35 am

Indeed, it is just like the previous R40e systems (I had one of those as my very first ThinkPad). The R50e's drive bay can be used with different optical drives, but the swapping process is just not as easy as with non-"e" thinkpads

I upgraded my R40e from CD-ROM to DVD-CDRW, it is not that hard to DIY. See also this post.

Andrew · #4 Post by **Andrew** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 10:32 am

well that's great to know! thanks guys.

lowie · #5 Post by **lowie** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 10:58 am

Andrew wrote:well that's great to know! thanks guys.

No problem, that's what this forum is for. If you need specific advice on how to swap the ultrabay, just let me know.

masterus · #6 Post by **masterus** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 2:18 pm

Hi

As I know R50 uses 12,5mm optical drive..so you can only change to other 12,5mm drive..lucky you there are lot of dvd burners with 12,5mm size so you can choose the best budget model which fits you..9,5mm dvd burner will not fit to your R50..

Regards

masterus · #7 Post by **masterus** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 2:19 pm

Hi

As I know R50 uses 12,5mm optical drive..so you can only change to other 12,5mm drive..lucky you there are lot of dvd burners with 12,5mm size so you can choose the best budget model which fits you..9,5mm dvd burner will not fit to your R50..

Regards

Andrew · #8 Post by **Andrew** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:07 am

well, now people said on notebookforums.com that it's 9.5mm and won't accept anything but IBM branded drives because of the special ultrabay connector.

is it definately 12.5mm?

FRiC · #9 Post by **FRiC** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 11:52 pm

The slimmer 9.5 mm drives will also fit, but there will be a gap. The regular R series that have ejectable Ultrabay drives have a rubber flap that flips down and closes the gap if thinner Ultrabay devices are inserted.

R series can use both 9.5 and 12.5 mm drives.
T series can only use 9.5 mm drives.

replacement optical drive for R50e?

replacement optical drive for R50e?

Who is online