Asus laptop issues

Hey guys I haven't been around in a while. I have a 2 yr old Asus w3j which has been great up till now.

I have two issues:

1) my optical dvd drive (which i believe is switchable for other drives -can anyone confirm this?) no longer plays dvd's. It still recognizes softwhere disks though. Not sure the reason. Anyone had this problem? Solution? if not, where can i buy a replacement drive for this model?

2) It now routinely overheats and runs unbearably slow. I want to reinstall the operating system but do not have my asus drivers for the model or graphics card. Does asus still offer the right drivers for the computer? Can this be done without the origional cd's?

Thanks guys. It's cool to be back here.

-Ted

 

just look at the internet for your drivers

 

Given the age of your W3, first thing to do would be to pull the back covers and clean the insides, fan and heatsink grill. That will probably do wonders for your heat problem, although the W3 gets pretty warm in general as you know with the x1600 in that little chassis.

 

Thanks.

Any idea about the problem with the dvd? Where can i order a new one for the w3j if i need to?

 

Hi, what you're looking for a is a slimline (notebook) DVD drive. About 50 USD, I think. Don't buy the ASUS original, it'll be very expensive and probably Matsh!ta, which are not among the best... (one argument for this is that it broke)

It's best to pick up one in a store, to make sure that the fascia and bezel of your old drive, as well as the connector for hotswap (I think W3 has swappable drive, right?) fit on the new drive.

I did that today, and I found one for which the bezel and connector fit (so I think those holes are pretty standard) but not the fascia unfortunately... it looks a bit ugly but it works. BTW, I had the same problem you have with the drive.

As to heat, yes, definitely, clean up. Check the Info Booth there is a guide by Coriolis.

 

E.B.E. - that post confused me a little. I do believe the drive is hot-swappable. when u say to pick pick it up in a store, you're saying to bring the old drive with me to make sure it matches up at the fascia and bezel (of which i don't know where either are)? Is there not just a known one online that i can order and be sure it fits?

 

Alright, let's take a step back and explain in more detail.

Remove the ODD from the computer (it's hotswappable so this is easy).

Now, the ODD itself is metallic., but it has a plastic bezel surrounding it, and also a plastic fascia which contains the eject button and shows on the outside of the notebook. Both are removable (either separately -- which is more likely -- or as one unit). Take a small screwdriver, remove screws around the notebook, and take the bezel out.

Also, there is a custom connector to the motherboard, which is also removable in hotswappable ASUS drives. That is held by 2 screws, which may also hold the bezel in place. Remove the connector as well.

Now, to the fascia. It's held either by clamps or by screws. You may need to open up the tray to get to the screws.

Once the fascia, bezel, and connector are out, you're looking at the bare DVD drive. That's what you need.

And about the store, yes, I was suggesting you take all these pieces with you when you buy the replacement. Then you can just test whether the holes for the screws and clamps are all in the right places, and whether the connector fits.

In my case, the fascia was held in place by a different system so I had no luck with that... but the bezel and connector fit.

It is very important that the bezel and connector fit because otherwise you won't be able to use your ODD in the laptop.

Fascia is just for prettiness but you can do with the default bare fascia the new ODD comes with (there will be one).

Hope this clarifies.

If you decide to order online, you're taking a chance... there's a good chance the screw locations for the bezel and connector are all standard, but I can't be sure.