DVD burner for X24?

[DaddyLongLegs]

Hey guys. I have an X24 with the very basic docking station (has only parallel, CD-ROM and floppy ports) and was wondering if there's any way I can take out the CD-ROM drive and put in a DVD burner. I've searched ebay but everything seems to be really expensive, like around $100.

Can someone link me to a site where I can buy a DVD burner that would work? It doesn't need to be dual layer (but if it is that's great). I figured I'm having a hard time finding this because I search for "X24 DVD burner" and there's probably a more standard name for these types of drives (you know like IDE, SATA, slimline, etc.)

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[andyP]

If you search for Ultrabay 2000 you will have a great deal more success. (The bay in the X2 slice is Ultrabay 2000)

EDIT: X4 changed to X2 - Ray's right in his next post -typo

[DaddyLongLegs]

If you search for Ultrabay 2000 you will have a great deal more success. (The bay in the X4 slice is Ultrabay 2000)

Are you sure? I'm pretty sure my Ultrabay is listed as an X2, not a 2000.

Also, shouldn't this work with my laptop/docking bay?:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0220010571

Moderator edit: Shortened URL to prevent horizontal scrolling

[rkawakami]

I think andyP made a typo and meant X2 slice when he typed X4. In either case, the X2 media slice accepts Ultrabay 2000 devices; the same ones used in the T2x systems, for example. You can certainly install any 12.7mm DVD burner into the bay as long as:

- it has the correct connector at the back which fits the Ultrabay 2000 adapter ( http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=37741 )
- the other two pieces of the Ultrabay caddy are mounted to the sides
- the front bezel is replaced or modified with the notch in the bottom right corner ( http://www.rkawakami.net/ibm_t2x/u2k_bezel_mod.jpg )

I generally install drives such as UJ-820, UJ-840 or UJ-850 from Panasonic (M a t s u s h i t a), although I've also used some from Pioneer (DVR-K16 and DVR-K17) and Toshiba (TS-L532).

Here's several threads where I've talked about Ultrabay 2000 conversions:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=36226
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=47890
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=51956
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=55002
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=55628

edit: Not sure about that NEC drive you referenced. It might have a different type of connector on the back (see link I posted above).

[DaddyLongLegs]

Thanks for the reply, rkawakami. However, every model number you listed will not work in my bay; they appear to be a 50 pin layout maybe an inch in size. The connector on my CD-ROM in my Thinkpad looks like it is over 2" in length and is more in the middle of the drive than at one side like the 50 pin layout.

Your adapter PDF seems like it will convert those drives to me but I can't find it for purchase anywhere.

[Raceboy]

Ray was talking about it how to use those drives. You have to remove the backplate (Ultrabay 2000 adapter) and install it to new drive. Then you can use it in Ultrabase.

[DaddyLongLegs]

Ray was talking about it how to use those drives. You have to remove the backplate (Ultrabay 2000 adapter) and install it to new drive. Then you can use it in Ultrabase.

Wow, I'm an idiot. I took the plastic off the back of my CD-ROM and sure enough, it looks like every other drive I see on ebay.

So is it safe to say using this little piece I can use virtually any 12.7mm drive in this thing? Or hell, even ones on newegg listed under "Slim DVD burners"? I always thought "slim" optical drives were meant for those really skinny Dell desktops; didn't know they were for laptops.

[rkawakami]

Can't use the "slim" drives if they are 9.5mm high. You need to stick with the 12.7mm optical drives. Most of those do have the necessary connector at the back end which mates with the Ultrabay 2000 adapter. This post:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 123#251123

and the one following it shows you what to watch out for. It appears that some of the 12.7mm high drives have a different type of connector than what the Ultrabay 2000 adapter uses. And again, you also have to transfer the side rails and replace/modify the front bezel to fit the opening of the Ultrabay. Not all front bezels can be swapped from one drive to another. They use different mounting tabs and/or screws. Some of my earlier optical upgrades were done by cutting out the notch in the bezel with a Dremel. The latest ones were done by buying the matching bezel for the drive I had off of eBay.

[DaddyLongLegs]

Thanks! But since I have the CD-ROM drive already, isn't all of this a moot point? Can't I just take everything from the CD-ROM drive, including the front bezel, and put it on the burner?

What's the cheapest one you recommend that fits the docking bay fine? (Preferably if I don't have to buy it off ebay!)

The best I found is this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6827106224

Though I can't tell if it will be problematic (even with the very high resolution images newegg provides).

[rkawakami]

Can't I just take everything from the CD-ROM drive, including the front bezel, and put it on the burner?

Re-read my post above... "Not all front bezels can be swapped from one drive to another.". Depending upon the burner you select, the front bezel from your existing CDROM may or may not fit properly. The two side pieces will fit. However, concerning the back connector...

What's the cheapest one you recommend that fits the docking bay fine? (Preferably if I don't have to buy it off ebay!)

The only ones that I have bought are from eBay. The models I posted a few inches up the screen work because they have the proper connector which the Ultrabay 2000 adapter fits. You will have to do your homework and make sure that whatever you decide to buy has the same connector. My understanding is that there are at least two types being used for 12.7mm optical drives.