T43p destroys optical drives - is it possible?

[SteveS]

Having gone through a couple of dozen used ThinkPads to equip employees in my office and family members, I have quite a bit of experience with them, especially the T4x and X4x series.

With all these units, I have found the CDRW/DVD-ROM Ultrabay Slim drives to be extremely reliable. However, I am having an issue with one T43p. I think it has “eaten” two optical drives – Panasonic models UDJA 745 and UDJA 755. The motors still spin the media, but drive cannot find any files (or even the CD or DVD) when inserted. It may be a coincidence that both drives just randomly failed, but I am questioning that as these are the only optical drives I have ever had that have failed.

They both worked in the T43p initially, and they are truly dead – showing the same inability to read disks even when used in other T4x series machines.

The only way I could think of that the T43p could damage the drive is a bad power supply. I am not sure if there is a dedicated voltage regulator for the Ultrabay slim slot or not. If I knew what the power supply connections were on the connector, I would sacrifice one of the blown drives to solder some extension wires to the connector to check it with a DMM.

Have any other forum members experienced T4x models that damage optical drives?

The machine is out of warranty BTW.

[Brad]

Steve,

Your ThinkPad is hungry!

I have never seen this before. I guess there is always the first time. If you can I would try another optical drive to confirm. Use a old CD-ROM if you have one.

I have seen a T4x that didn't recognize any optical drives.

If you don't I have an old one I could offer one for your KILLER T43p.

Let me know if you want to try.

Brad

[richk]

The machine could be dirty inside or be used in a smoky or dirty environment. Clean the lens with a soft cotton cloth dampened with denatured alcohol.