S96J Optical drive options

Hey so TSST-L632D is clearly junk, but when I bought my S96j I didn't have many options.. anyhow I can't burn cd's with it (sick of trouble shooting now)

So I'm wondering what drive's I can use..
In particular (since I live in Vancouver) I am looking at this:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=25038&vpn=72330130001&manufacture=Intel

Since it is also VBI I thought that it will work with the s96j, but I can't find a definitive answer. So does anyone know if the Compal HEL-80 uses the same optical drive "bay" as the s96j. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

The TS-L632D is a standard 1/2" (12.5mm) thick "slim" notebook optical drive and there are plenty of others using the same form factor and connector. The only variable is whether the firmware is set to make the burner a master or slave on the IDE channel. However, this is irrelevant for most notebooks where the ODD has one IDE channel for itself. [Look in Device Manager, IDE ATA/ATAPI Devices, and see if there one channel with only UDMA-2 current transfer rate (which is the normal setting for the ODDs)]. The notebook may have a special fascia / bezel to suit the chassis, but it is possible (with a little care) to unclip this from the old burner and put it on the new one.

That burner for the Compal is probably OK, but I would be much happier to see something with a make and model number. What about this Sony burner?

John

 

I actually have been very happy with my TSST-L632C (not D). I tried 3 different slim drives for my S96j and stuck with the TSST-L632C. Any slim optical drive will work but you will have to take the brackets off of the old drive. I really do not think you will gain that much in performance though.

 

Here's some literature you might find useful describing the barebones:

http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/res...ucts/mobile/vbi/interchangeability/345212.htm
http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/res...ucts/mobile/vbi/interchangeability/345302.htm
http://cache-www.intel.com/cd/00/00/29/45/294569_294569.pdf
http://cache-www.intel.com/cd/00/00/28/42/284265_284265.pdf

Since they are CBB, they are supposed to be compatible. However, you might need to remove mounting brackets and/or adapters on the unit to make it fit.

At the bottom of the table on the first link, there are a number of models which are CBB, so you should be able to use those on your S96J. When I had my Z96J long ago (before I sent it back and got a V1J), I had a LiteOn burner on it instead of the TSST because they were backordered (but I sent the LiteOn back because it was too damned noisy).

I have a TSST-L632D on my V1J and I don't have a whole lot of problems. However, I don't use it often (ie: I use it when I can't use a desktop burner).

Meanwhile, I have a 532 on my Z63A and it seems to have issues. It's either they don't last long or they can't deal with the travelling that's involved in laptops, since I've seen a fair bit of them break.

In any case, for most burning you're better off with an external enclosure with a desktop DVD burner simply because "everyone else" is using them, meaning they can't put it on the backburner for firmware updates and you're less likely to get stuck with a lemon or a dud.

 

thanks guys for those replies. I was pretty harsh on the drive I have but it might just be a lemon. Its good to know that I've got alot of options. I'll probably just go for the next deal that comes along and offers the best price/reliability combo - its not a pressing need right now. Thanks again - and thanks AlexF for those links.