New DVD-RW drive?? R61

[Insomniac1971]

Hi, Ihave an ThinkPad R61 (7738-A52) based on 7738-1GG and I need a new DVD-RW drive, now I know that this model has ATAPI/IDE 50 pin, but besides that is it possible for me to uses drives of this type not just the ones certified by Lenovo?

I have my eyes on Sony OptiArc AD-7560A + some pioneer slot-in drives. Or maybe Samsung.

Is there anything different in the interface from other ATAPI/IDE drives? I really H..e Panasonic:(

Hope someone can answer this and please provide info about your own drive:)

Any recomendations?


With kind regards
JBJ

[RealBlackStuff]

The T43/R52/T60/R60/T61/R61 can all use the same drive.
Many other laptop brands use the same drive, except they have a different shape frontpanel.
AFAIK that frontpanel can be exchanged between same-brand/model-drives.
The interface is the same (IDE/ATA) for all those brands.
Just look out you don't buy a SATA drive by mistake.

However, I would recommend an external drive with USB connector.
It will work an any other laptop or desktop.

[Insomniac1971]

Its funny you that you say t61 and r61 they can use the same drives, I tried my DVD-RW drive from my T61 and that didn't work, it doesn't even get recognized - Then I found out that the one from the T61 is an S-ata drive and not IDE/Atapi. Its an UJ-862 39T2851/42T2506
http://img.weiku.com//waterpicture/2011 ... 7193_6.jpg

The one in the R61 is UJDA780 39T2667/39T2857 and suppose to be IDE/Atapi.
https://www.itcreations.com/images/prod ... A780_4.jpg

The interface look the same though:(???

Which drive is in yours, or can you give a recommended list - external drive is not what I'm looking for:)


With kind regards

JBJ

[ajkula66]

Its funny you that you say t61 and r61 they can use the same drives, I tried my DVD-RW drive from my T61 and that didn't work, it doesn't even get recognized - Then I found out that the one from the T61 is an S-ata drive and not IDE/Atapi. Its an UJ-862 39T2851/42T2506

This is incorrect.

Both of these have IDE/ATA interface. The only difference is thickness. And a drive from a T6x most certainly should work in a R6x.

My take would be: why not just purchase a proper Enhanced Ultrabay DVD RW...can't be more than $20...

[Insomniac1971]

Ok, guys could you provide some FRU numbers since the ones I have found so far cost whole farm:(

What model number of DVD-RW drive is in your R61?


With kind regards

JBJ
PS. Funny that my UJ-862 didn't work in the R61 - it works fine in the T61.

[ajkula66]

Ok, guys could you provide some FRU numbers since the ones I have found so far cost whole farm:(

What model number of DVD-RW drive is in your R61?

39T2721