Writer malfunctions in R51e

[alanr51e]

Hi Group,

Looking for some feedback regarding the DVD writer in my R51e.

Long story short - after a couple of single layer DVD burns (using Nero8) the writer starts to malfunction with error messages, either

a) focusing problems reported - or
b) power supply fault

or somesuch. I'm guessing that b) is referring to the writer power supply rather than the laptop as the laptop continues to work normally except that the writer will not burn. It isn't the discs either because one that failed in the R51e got burned quite happly in my desktop machine.

Another peculiarity is that when writing DVDs (single layer) the only option is 2.4x write speed.

Yesterday when this occurred the laptop was running on batteries (9 cell) with 70% capacity left and a reported 2.75 hours of duration remaining.

The computer has 2MB of RAM and a 250GB HDD - otherwise as it left the factory with XP Professional as the OS - SFAIK. The writer is a M a t s u s h i t a/Panasonic UJ830B as stated on the writer frame but reports as a UJ 830S in device manager.

If anyone else has experienced similar effects and can provide opinion or information I'll be most grateful. I'm guessing I'm looking at a new writer - but SWMBO says a new laptop is OK (Up to $1500 I guess - christmas is coming!). Any opinions as to what might be bought are most welcome.

I rather like the R51e having gotten used to its quirks and the very good build quality, so I'm like to stck with Lenovo, but some of the more recent Samsungs look attractive in terms of specs and price.

TIA and Cheers.

Alan

[RealBlackStuff]

That drive is just a crappy, tricky, picky piece of work, one of the worst.
It's also probably more than 5 years old.
Get a new drive from e.g. HL Data Storage (= Hitachi LG) such as Model: GSA-T50N, FRU: 42T2537, ASM P/N : 42T2590.
Look for the model GSA-T50N on eBay, much cheaper than the same item with an IBM label!
Only caveat: you may have to modify the bezel if it's a model for a different brand laptop.

[alanr51e]

That drive is just a crappy, tricky, picky piece of work, one of the worst.
It's also probably more than 5 years old.
Get a new drive from e.g. HL Data Storage (= Hitachi LG) such as Model: GSA-T50N, FRU: 42T2537, ASM P/N : 42T2590.
Look for the model GSA-T50N on eBay, much cheaper than the same item with an IBM label!
Only caveat: you may have to modify the bezel if it's a model for a different brand laptop.

Hi RBS and thanks for the feedback.

I've searched for the type number but all the items that appear seem to be SATA interface.

I'm pretty sure that my drive is a PATA (IDE) interface as the connector is flush with the back face and has a single set of connections and not the double "L" shaped pair that signify a SATA interface.

Are you (or anyone else) aware of a PATA alternative that isn't "Crappy, picky or tricky"?

And you are correct the drive was manufactured in october 2005.

I've discovered a couple of sources for an alternative type number UJ-860 but I wonder if they suffer from the same problems as the 830?

Thanks again for the response.

Alan

[jronald]

I have always had outstanding luck with Sony......
Try some of these:
http://www.geeks.com/search.asp?SH=A%3d ... =10&Grid=0

Ron

[RealBlackStuff]

Sorry about that, I meant the GSA-T40N which is IDE/PATA

[alanr51e]

I have always had outstanding luck with Sony......
Try some of these:
http://www.geeks.com/search.asp?SH=A%3d ... =10&Grid=0

Ron

Hi JR - thanks very much for the heads up.

Alan

[mediasponge]

One of the other things you can do in Nero is do a simulated burn to determine max burn speed. That should reduce the errors. Burning at a slower speed than the default also helps. I would never do a burn running on batteries.

[alanr51e]

Sorry about that, I meant the GSA-T40N which is IDE/PATA

Hi again RBS

Thanks for the clarification.

I've managed to find a source of a lot of different drives which could do the job at an online outlet in Hong Kong (The USA sources seem to want to charge the earth for postage/freight) Among them is the type number you have provided above.

Thanks for the help.

Alan

[alanr51e]

One of the other things you can do in Nero is do a simulated burn to determine max burn speed. That should reduce the errors. Burning at a slower speed than the default also helps. I would never do a burn running on batteries.

Hi Mediasponge,

I agree, it was an experiment, but I have seen the same problem when running on mains power, I'm not sure how much work the burner has done prior to my getting it, but having demounted the thing I'm not convinced it was original equipment, but may have been retrofitted.

Ordinarily I don't try to burn at maximum rate, indeed at the moment the drive only offers 2.4x as a speed. I suspect RBS is on the ball and the drive is on the way to drive heaven.

Time for a replacement.

Thanks for the input

Alan