T40 and NEC ND-6500A

[migel628]

Newegg has the NEC ND-6500A (Slim 8X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive) for sale for $117 shipped. I did a search to see if this would fit in my T40, but all I found was something about this drive & the T42. On Newegg's reviews of this item, someone said that:

"This works fine in my T30 thinkpad. I took a few parts off the original IBM drive and screwed them onto this NEC so that it matches the IBM bay. I also modified the NEC faceplate to match the Thinkpad opening."

So, does anyone know if this will fit in a T40? If modification is needed, is it worth the effort (& how would I do it)? Thanks in advance for no flaming the noob

[asiafish]

It will not work, it is a 12mm drive and the T40 requires a 9.5mm drive.

[migel628]

Thank you very much for the reply...You just saved me from a $117 mistake
So would any 9.5mm drive work? Any suggestions, or am I stuck w/ IBM's implementation?

[Leon]

yes

[MadeInJapan]

Leon is absolutely correct.

By the way, if you want a Multi-burner (which the ND-6500 is) for a T4* series Thinkpad, you are limited to only 2 choices in the entire world (that we know of...if anyone finds something else, then please, please, please let us know). These are the Panasonic/Matshita UJ-812 and UJ-822. There are no other choices for a drive that is 9.5mm tall.

[kanate]

Just buy something like this
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 5179556870 and put that drive in, connect to usb, and it's ready to use.

[MadeInJapan]

Very Interesting! Does it work?...Drawing power only from the USB does concern me especially with high speed burns. If you bought one, tell us of your experiences with it. I do like the black color though...goes well with Thinkpads.

[kanate]

It should work. I don't have this one. I have Lacie Slim 8x DL Burner which looks about the same and should work the same.

Just connect one USB cable to your computer, enough power to use it in read mode. In write mode, if not enough power just connect another USB cable (It's USB at one end into computer and power at the other end into the burner)

With this setup, it should cost you less than $150!
That's much better price than getting slow (2.4x) ibm internal one for $300+

[MadeInJapan]

Ah....2 USB connections. That should work!

[migel628]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'd like to get an internal solution, so I guess I'll either look into IBM's Multi-Burner or the Panasonic/Matshita UJ-812 and UJ-822. If all else fails, then I'll go external.