Travelmate 240 dvd drive upgrade

Hello,

I would like to upgrade my original QSI SBW 242 combo DVD-ROM/CDRW, with a CD/DVDRW drive.
Dismounting the drive is not an issue, the only doubt comes choosing the drive itself.
Is there any problem mounting either a master or slave ide drive?.
BIOS recognizes HDD as IDE1 an dvd drive as IDE2.
I was thinking in purchasing a Panasonic UJ-8X0 model ( X= 1, 2, 3, 4 , 5, 7) that fits perfectly.

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/netcomdirect_2103_55589027

Thanks in advance.

 

Hi,

The replacement drive must have the same setting as the original drive.
Windows Device Manager is helpful for determining if an existing drive is configured as Master or as Slave.
In Device Manager, open the IDE ATA/ATAPI controller tree. Then check the primary, secondary IDE channel and look at the "Advanced Options" tab. Master drives are shown as Device 0, Slave drives are shown as Device 1.

You don't want a Panasonic drive. Really not.

Michael

 

Thankyou Michael.
Both HDD and dvd drive are shown as Device 0.

As far as I know,laptop dvd drives are set in factory, master or slave, and there is no way to change it. So, is there a way to distinguish a master drive from a slave one?.

I thought Panasonic was a reliable brand in electronics. What more options I have?.

Thanks for your time.

 

That's good since most aftermarket drives come in Master configuration.

You have to rely on what the vendor states

they may produce good TV and other home entertainment equipment, but their optical drives should be avoided.
My personal vote would be some genuine Optiarc (not the recycled QSI models). You may have a look here: http://liggydee.cdfreaks.com/ for some details about certain models.


Michael