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    3rd Party Optical Drive for Asus Z63A?

    Discussion in 'Asus' started by LaoWho, Oct 9, 2005.

  1. LaoWho

    LaoWho Newbie

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    I'm thinking to buy a Asus Z63A barebone laptop, and trying to find out whether a 3rd party optical drive will fit in the laptop.

    If not fit, is that because of any of the following reasons?
    1. special dimensions of the optical drive.
    2. special connector.
    3. the location of the connector.
    4. the special shape of the front plastic bazel.
    5. needs a modular bay to use a 3rd party optical drive.

    I have been surfing around. Some resellers sell completely-naked Z63A, while others offer ones with DVD or DVD/CDRW combo. I have a spare DVD/CDRW combo (Toshiba MD-R2102) for laptop, and wondering if it can save me some bucks.

    Many thanks.
     
    LaoWho, Oct 9, 2005
    #1
  2. coriolis

    coriolis Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    It would fit but there will not be any bezel, unless you modify it physically to fit...

    I don't think its worth the amount saved though...
     
    coriolis, Oct 9, 2005
    #2
  3. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    Master/Slave is also sometimes as issue.
     
    ZaZ, Oct 10, 2005
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  4. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    The Z63A / W3A takes a standard 1/2" high optical drive mounted into the media bay carrier module.

    If you source the optical drive separately then you will need the optical drive carrier module for the W3 series. I don't know if this can be purchased separately at a reasonable price.

    Regarding the fascia plate, I know from personal experience that the Liteon SOSW-852S has fascia mountings compatible with the Toshiba/Samsung TS-L532A that came in my W3A.

    Hope this helps,

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Oct 10, 2005
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  5. LaoWho

    LaoWho Newbie

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    Thank much for all the answers.

    It may be a good idea to include this piece of information with coriolis's Asus Notebook FAQ. Other parts such as CPU, memory, hard drive and mini-PCI wireless card are all very standard. The optical drive may be the only tricky component.
     
    LaoWho, Oct 10, 2005
    #5
  6. madmike23

    madmike23 Notebook Deity

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    I would just spend the extra money and buy the barebone with the drive. At least it would be current (up to date speeds). It would then be "fool" proof (no need for trouble shooting), less/no physical work, and you'll have the bezel ready & already installed.
     
    madmike23, Oct 10, 2005
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  7. LaoWho

    LaoWho Newbie

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    It is confirmed by ASUS that a housing (or optical drive carrier module) is required to use a 3rd party optical drive. Additionally, the ASUS part numbers for Z63A are

    1. DVD/CDRW combo, 90-NCA1G1010
    2. DVDRW, 90-NCA1W1010

    in case that you have to order them separately.
     
    LaoWho, Oct 10, 2005
    #7
  8. universal sea

    universal sea Notebook Enthusiast

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    any word on where to obtain this from?
     
    universal sea, Nov 21, 2005
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  9. coriolis

    coriolis Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Probrably call up ASUS Taiwan...
     
    coriolis, Nov 21, 2005
    #9