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    M15x Optical Drive

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by Laxxi, Nov 18, 2011.

  1. Laxxi

    Laxxi Notebook Evangelist

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    Finally going to replace my duff optical drive!

    Been suffering with this issue for way too long now. Looks like it's going to be a full stripdown though. I was planning on following the guide for swapping the optical drive for a second HDD with a caddy, should be fine right?

    And I was just wondering exactly which make/model of drive I need...

    Would this be ok? I'm not sure that it's the same, despite the fact that it says "Alienware" in the title. Anybody know the exact drive that came with the machine? Would be really helpful!

    Thanks in advance.
     
    Laxxi, Nov 18, 2011
    #1
  2. otosan

    otosan Notebook Consultant

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    u just need to make sure it's slot loading.. :)

    and the guide for changing optical with caddy should be ok, even though u not neccesarily dissasembly the monitor like mentioned in guide...

    btw, why don't u go to change to blu-ray instead? it's only 2 or 3 bucks away from ur current selection.. hehe
     
    otosan, Nov 18, 2011
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  3. ASCI_Blue

    ASCI_Blue Notebook Consultant

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    Can't say whether or not that optical drive is the regular DVD but CA30N is the blu-ray drive.
     
    ASCI_Blue, Nov 18, 2011
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  4. khetik

    khetik Notebook Deity

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    I was under the impression that ca10n was the blu ray reader
     
    khetik, Nov 18, 2011
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  5. xeroxide

    xeroxide Notebook Deity

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    that drive is pre-dell for the area 51 i believe, looks like a tray loader so i don't think it would work.
    oh and yes removing the drive is pretty much a complete strip down, i used the guide and the service manual.

    oh and according to dell drivers site, the dvd drive model is the t633c. the blue ray reader is the ca10n like khetik said.
     
    xeroxide, Nov 18, 2011
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  6. Laxxi

    Laxxi Notebook Evangelist

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    Thanks for replies folks, I went ahead and managed to grab one that I think should work nicely. Made sure it was a T633C so we'll find out when it arrives!

    Very much looking forward to having the drive working again. It's been far too long since I was able to read discs! A complete disassembly will also give me a great chance to really clean everything out too, so it's win / win by the look of it.

    :)
     
    Laxxi, Nov 19, 2011
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  7. ASCI_Blue

    ASCI_Blue Notebook Consultant

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    May have been a previous revision. I checked my device mangler and it's a CA30.
     
    ASCI_Blue, Nov 19, 2011
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  8. xeroxide

    xeroxide Notebook Deity

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    hah, not surprised at all with how many of us had the ca10n die on us.
     
    xeroxide, Nov 20, 2011
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  9. dutchess63

    dutchess63 Notebook Consultant

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    my blu ray hardware_id :

    IDE\HL-DT-ST_DVDRWBD_CA10N__________________A110____
     
    dutchess63, Nov 20, 2011
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  10. saadleo

    saadleo Notebook Consultant

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    saadleo, Nov 20, 2011
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  11. luigimario01

    luigimario01 Notebook Geek

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    I just bought one and it is CA10 which is the 4x bluray reader. I think the CA30 is the newer 6X bluray reader. By the way i bought mine off of ebay for $45. The ebay seller was buynotebookparts.
     
    luigimario01, Nov 23, 2011
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  12. ASCI_Blue

    ASCI_Blue Notebook Consultant

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    Damn nice deal. I found a link that had parts and the drive was damned spendy. Would be better off buying a Sony of the egg and yanking the face plate off.
     
    ASCI_Blue, Nov 24, 2011
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  13. luigimario01

    luigimario01 Notebook Geek

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    On their actual website they sell it for around $110 but on an ebay auction by them they sell buy it now price for $45.
     
    luigimario01, Nov 25, 2011
    #13