Burner for T23

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steveg47 · #1 Post by **steveg47** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 9:15 am

I am considering upgrading the DVD drive on a T23 to a burner. The NEC drives recommended in previous posts are no longer readily available from suppliers like Newegg and Meritline and I prefer not to purchase from Ebay. Has anyone recently had success with newer burner models. Anything you might be able to recommend and where to purchase it would be greatly appreciated. tia

steveg47 · #2 Post by **steveg47** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 11:02 am

Knowing which burners you have tried that did not work in a T23(or any T2x or X2x media slice) would also be very helpful.

Anyone????

I did try an LG Electronics GSA-T20N 8X Slim DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive from Meritline and though the driver loaded ok and I could interrogate the drive with Nero and eject from explorer the drive refused to recognize any DVDs or CDs and responded as if there was nothing in the tray. I am going to rma it back to Meritline. It could have been defective or incompatible. I will try a Sony NEC Optiarc AD-7530B next from Meritline unless I hear from someone in the forum to the contrary.

ajkula66 · #3 Post by **ajkula66** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 11:14 am

I understand that you don't like eBay (neither do I) but that's still your best bet apart from the Marketplace here...

Google for UltraBay 2000 DVD burner (DVDRW, etc), and put the same term in the eBay's search engine, it will yield quite a few results.

Good luck.

#4 Post by **rkawakami** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 12:01 pm

I've had fairly good success at installing Panasonic (M a t s u s h i t a) DVD burners in T23s. They are the UJ-820, UJ-840 or UJ-850 models. Don't use anything that ends with a "2" (i.e., UJ-842) since those are 9.5mm (slim) drives and won't fit inside an Ultrabay 2000 without another adapter. I buy bare drives or ones designed to fit other laptops (Toshiba, HP, etc) and simply remove any extra hardware needed for those laptops and install the Ultrabay 2000 rails (caddy). I then run a series of read and write tests to make sure the drives are fully functional.

However, my source is eBay. If price is not really an objection, you should be able to find other on-line dealers of these types of drives. Expect to pay around $60 to $70.

steveg47 · #5 Post by **steveg47** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 1:19 pm

Thanks ajkula66 and Ray your info is really appreciated.

I'm going to try and avoid ebay (and paypal) and since I will probably get an instore credit from Meritline I might as well try another one of their drives. They used to have a much better selection.
The ones I'm looking at are the Sony I already mentioned and the Panasonic UJ-875 8X slimline, slot loading Super Multi DVD Burner.

Have you had any success with slot loaders? Is trimming the bezel with a slot loader to fit the drivebay going to be an issue?

#6 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 2:33 pm

The only thing you may need to trim (if all else works) would be the front bezel. You probably need to make the bezel narrower over the whole length, and you may have to cut out a corner for the drive-release (RH side).
A steady hand with a Dremel works wonders, and you can use an Xacto knife to trim the fine bits.

Another one that will work after adding the caddy-kit and trimming the front bezel is: HL Data Storage GCC-4240N CD-RW / DVD

steveg47 · #7 Post by **steveg47** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 7:49 pm

Thanks for the response RealBlackStuff. I am aware of the need to trim the bezel to clear the release lever. The reason I asked is that I am unfamiliar with slot loaders and had no idea if there were additional obstructions that might prevent installation.
Unfortunately the GCC-4240N does not write DVDs and that is the functionality I am looking to add.
In any event whatever drive I try I will report back with the results so others may profit from my experience.

steveg47 · #8 Post by **steveg47** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 8:42 pm

Final update: I ended up purchasing a Sony NEC Optiarc AD-7530B 8x DVD+RW/-RW DL Notebook Drive at meritline.com for $47. After trimming the bezel for the release level and shaving a bit off the top edge the drive worked fine with Nero...a little slow at burning but acceptable. It takes about 20 minutes to burn a full dvd from an iso image. It's currently in my x23 base but will soon be switched to a T23 where I'm hoping it will run a little faster. Initially it was running extremely slow as the ide channel access mode was pio. After deleting and adding the ide in devmgr the access mode changed to dma..much better

Only time will tell how the drive holds up but for $47 what the heck

nikki605 · #9 Post by **nikki605** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 12:19 am

Would the Sony NEC Optiarc AD-7530B work in a T21, with the bezel trimming, of course? I've thought about upgrading my original DVD-ROM drive off and on and this topic peaked my interest again.

#10 Post by **rkawakami** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 5:52 am

As it appears that steveg47 has gotten his to work in an X2 Ultrabase, by extension, it should also work in a T21's Ultrabay 2000.

steveg47 · #11 Post by **steveg47** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:10 pm

nikki605 wrote:Would the Sony NEC Optiarc AD-7530B work in a T21, with the bezel trimming, of course? I've thought about upgrading my original DVD-ROM drive off and on and this topic peaked my interest again.

I'll be trying it in the T23 this weekend and will report back the results.

nikki605 · #12 Post by **nikki605** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:53 am

steveg47 wrote:I'll be trying it in the T23 this weekend and will report back the results.

That would be great - Thanks!

steveg47 · #13 Post by **steveg47** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 6:41 pm

It worked just fine in the T23. Didn't even have to change the access mode. It went directly to dma.

nikki605 · #14 Post by **nikki605** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 8:34 pm

That's great to hear. Do me a favor though, and explain "change the access mode." Where do you check/change it?

#15 Post by **rkawakami** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 10:06 pm

Under Windows XP, launch Device Manager (right-click My Computer, choose Properties then click the Hardware Tab to find Device Manager). Click the + next to IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers to expand that section. The T2x Ultrabay devices appear as the Secondary IDE Channel. Right-click that entry and again choose Properties. Click the Advanced Settings tab and check the settings for Device 0 (Master). The Transfer Mode dropdown box has options for PIO (Programmed I/O - slower) or DMA (Direct Memory Access - faster).

ref: http://www.pctechguide.com/32CD-ROM_DMA_vs_PIO_mode.htm

nikki605 · #16 Post by **nikki605** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 10:42 pm

Thanks, Ray. Now I remember (brain cramp).

I'll have to see if my wife will let me spend some money for that DVD burner.

I wonder how big the honey-do list will grow?!?

EDIT: Just placed my order with Meritline.com (after some some problem with the java script their checkout page had trouble running on my desktop PC and locking it up, twice).

Looks like there was a price drop - $43.99 with free ground shipping.

nikki605 · #17 Post by **nikki605** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 5:31 pm

In anticipation of installing the DVD burner when it arrives, I started looking at taking apart the rear connector and side rails that I'll need to move to the new burner.

So, its stupid question time

I don't have a precision phillips head screwdriver small enough to fit in the screws - how hard is it going to be to buy one locally? I'm not sure I'm going to find one at a Home Depot or Ace Hardware. What about Radio Shack? Any other ideas?

#18 Post by **rkawakami** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 5:45 pm

I use this set:

http://www.generaltools.com/Products/18 ... 63518.aspx

I think I got it at a local Orchard Supply Hardware store (not a national chain). You can certainly try Radio Shack, ACE Hardware or Home Depot. You can either get just a single #00 or #000 Philips screwdriver or get an entire set. From what I've seen taking apart several Thinkpads, there's only a few times where you need a flat-bladed screwdriver.

BTW, you only need to take out the two outermost screws from the back end of the Ultrabay connector. The two closest to the actual brown connector holds that piece to the black plastic. The side rails are typically held in place with double-sided tape so it might take a little bit of a tug to free them.

sparta.rising · #19 Post by **sparta.rising** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 5:49 pm

Do NOT get this set:
http://www.generaltools.com/Products/16 ... 51016.aspx

The bits always fell out and the bit holder (plastic) broken after a short time. Definitely make sure the bit holder is metal.

#20 Post by **rkawakami** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 5:55 pm

The set I linked to does have a metal bit holder (just checked with a magnet). As I don't change the bits all that often, I really haven't noticed up till now. If you envision frequent swaps of the bits, then I'd suggest getting a tool set that has individual drivers and not a single handle.

nikki605 · #21 Post by **nikki605** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 6:34 pm

Based on the multiple detailed replies, maybe it wasn't such a dumb question.

A quick search of Ace & Radio Shack don't look promising. Most have a #0 as the smallest phillips. I assume the more zeros, the smaller the tip.

Thanks and I'll keep searching.

EDIT: Hold on, this set from Home Depot looks like it will work.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... =100074336

#22 Post by **rkawakami** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 6:48 pm

Radio Shack:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... 062783&cp=
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... 062778&cp=

Lowes:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=p ... lpage=none
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=p ... lpage=none

Or that one from Home Depot would work too....

Cheaper!

nikki605 · #23 Post by **nikki605** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 7:25 pm

Considering that I don't plan on doing this type of work as much as you do Ray, cheaper is better.

Besides, when I told my wife what I was doing, she asked me how long I planned to hang on to that old piece of cr__ and keep putting money into it, refering to my T21. Hey, its only 7 years old

Maybe I should take her comment as the go-ahead to buy a new TP

Of course, she's looking at the $400 advertised specials in the Sunday newspaper flyers.

Thanks for the info!

nikki605 · #24 Post by **nikki605** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 8:13 pm

Well, the Sony NEC Optiarc AD-7530B DVD burner arrived today. My Dremel tool made quick work of cutting the notch out of the bezel, followed by a little grinding, filing & polishing. I also took a little off the whole top of the bezel to get better clearance.

I ended up getting the Husky precision screwdriver set at Home Depot. It worked great. The bits have the little locking ball so they are held firmly in place. I ended up using the #000 bit for those tiny screws. I should have gotten the torx set while I was there.

The T21 recognized 'New Hardware' and automatically installed the drivers without any intervention. I checked the secondary IDE channel properties and it was already in DMA mode (Nero Info Tool also said it was in DMA mode). Even though the label on the drive said Sony NEC Optiarc AD-7530B, both Device Manager and Nero Info Tool list the drive as just 'Optiarc DVD RW AD-7530B.'

I burned a CD-R and a DVD-R data disc and was able to read them back on 2 drives in my desktop, no problem. I recently switched from Memorex to Sony discs because most of the time all I got from the Memorex CD-Rs were coasters (burned on my desktop). With the Sony media, I've not made a single coaster.

My thanks to everyone who posted here for their help. Now I've really "over-built" my TP T21.

#25 Post by **rkawakami** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 8:24 pm

nikki605 wrote:My Dremel tool made quick work of cutting the notch out of the bezel, followed by a little grinding, filing & polishing.

I have to do this myself with 8 standard bezels I received yesterday. Easy to do if you use the Dremel drill press stand.

nikki605 wrote:Even though the label on the drive said Sony NEC Optiarc AD-7530B, both Device Manager and Nero Info Tool list the drive as just 'Optiarc DVD RW AD-7530B.'

The drive manufacturer name field is limited to only 8 characters for some obscure reason. That's why "M a t s u s h i t a" shows up as "Matshita".

nikki605 · #26 Post by **nikki605** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 9:30 pm

rkawakami wrote:I have to do this myself with 8 standard bezels I received yesterday. Easy to do if you use the Dremel drill press stand.

I can understand using the drill press stand when you have that many. I did mine hand-held.

Too bad it ends up cutting right through one of the DVD logos. It looks pretty good except for that. But then, how much time do I spend looking at the DVD drive - its on the side.

nikki605 · #27 Post by **nikki605** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:27 pm

As a side note, something I didn't notice until tonight. The original IBM DVD-ROM was assigned drive letter E:. When the TP found the new DVD-RW hardware and installed it, it was assigned drive letter D:. Well, this conflicted with an external USB drive I connect to the TP which has programs set up expecting it to be drive D:.

Bottom line, I had to go in to Computer Management and reassign the new DVD-RW to be drive E: again.

Just something to keep in mind.

EDIT: the other thing I noticed was the difference in weight. The new Sony DVD-RW is 4oz. lighter than the original IBM DVD-ROM. That's a quarter pound less weight to carry around!

dabrooks · #28 Post by **dabrooks** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 8:36 am

I am curious why you all dont use the IBM part number

8x4x24x IBM ThinkPad UltraBay 2000 IDE Internal CD-RW Drive 22P9101 FRU : 08K9644

to order a drive that fits in there. i believe these drives are available all over the place.

Paul Pennington · #29 Post by **Paul Pennington** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 9:59 am

I believe the original poster was looking for a drive that would WRITE to DVD's. The FRU you posted writes to CD's, but not DVD's.

dabrooks · #30 Post by **dabrooks** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 12:09 pm

oh yeah! sorry about that brain fart.

Burner for T23

Burner for T23

The Sony NEC Optiarc AD-7530B Works In My T21

Re: The Sony NEC Optiarc AD-7530B Works In My T21

Re: The Sony NEC Optiarc AD-7530B Works In My T21

Drive Letter Changed

8x4x24x IBM ThinkPad UltraBay 2000 IDE Internal CD-RW Drive

oh yeah! sorry about that brain fart.

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