Source for W3-series DVD Drive?

I have a W3j, and the TSST DVD Multi-drive has been giving me some trouble with some disks (mostly games). I can sometimes borrow the drive from my friends W3v and it'll work, but I can't keep doing that.

Other than the Asus store and eBay, anyone know where I can get a cheap DVD drive (doesn't need to be a writer) for a W3-series that will work in the multi-bay (I don't really want an external drive)? The cheapest one I can find on the Asus store that I know will fit is still $150+, and I didn't see any on eBay.

 

You can pick up pretty much any slimline optical Drive, I would recommend the NEC ND-6500 as that one has the best firmwares and burning compatibility.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-NEC-ND-6500A-SLIM-8X-DVD-RW-DVDRW-DRIVE-DUAL-LAYER_W0QQitemZ250198076816QQihZ015QQcategoryZ31564QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
It's a heck of alot cheaper than the ASUS estore, and you might end up getting another TSST or other crappy drive.

All you then need to do is remove the W3 bezel from the drive using a small flathead screwdriver and place it onto the new drive. They are interchangeable.

I have found that the optical drive internal BIOS jumper settings have no effect on the W3 series, you simply change to Master or Slave (depending on the optical setting) on your main hard drive to compensate. Most optical drives offered on Ebay are slave defaultly, so it should have no problems detecting.

Personally, I had the TSST as well, and I absolutely hated it. I've since tried a couple drives then finally settling on the NEC drive. There are firmware hacks as well for region, media and riplock if your interested for the ND 6500, I can further elaborate what those benefits are...

 

Thanks, D3X. I didn't realize that all slimline drives were the same, and it would be as simple as changing the bezel. I went ahead and ordered the drive from eBay.

 

Well you also have to unscrew the rails and the adapter that's screwed onto the current TSST unit. It's about 6-8 tiny screws surrounding the unit, it comes off real easy and the adapter is secured with 2 larger black screws, just unscrew that and unconnect the adapter. Use the existing rails and adapter for your new drive

Btw, here's the firmware page for the ND-6500A that I found very useful!

http://tdb.rpc1.org/#ND6500A

 

Actually, they are not all the same.

Some of the units use a generic black, flat bezel while others use a special bezel that come in varieties of different shapes and sizes. And then you have Toshiba laptops which need a special one because Toshiba "sabotages" the connector so that it doesn't work with standard ones.

In any case, the actual connectors are usually the same, but you might find that the bezel doesn't line up when you try to put it on. The more recent units have them in a "standard" place, but you should verify that the eject button and the emergency holes are in the same general place.

Also, it should be immediately obvious, but unless you're using the flat, generic bezel type, you can't swap between a slot and a tray type unit.

 

@DTX

So has this been confirmed to work with the W3J? Its just as easy as removing the bezel on the TSST and replacing it with the NEC?

I haven't bothered with the TSST drive anymore, it simply just makes noise and does nothing, but there are times I really need the drive when I'm in a pinch, but ceases to work.

So I'm just looking to buy a new drive now. Will this work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-NEC-ND-6500...5210246QQihZ017QQcategoryZ31564QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks for the help

 

if it's just in a pinch you might consider an external ODD, and use the multibay for an extra harddrive or battery (whichever you need most)

 

I was thinking about an external ODD, but I often utilize my laptop on the go so an external ODD is not to feasible. Unless they make a slim external ODD that runs on USB power.

 

They probably do make such a thing. But it's still better if it's internal if you expect to use it on the go, though.

 

i think they do.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106097

supposedly that will work if you get the dual usb cables.

 

Confirmed to work in my W3V, it's currently running the NEC drive mentioned above. I don't think the W3J is any different when it comes to the drive connectivity since it's the same modular kit.

 

Thanks for the replies, I went ahead and bought the one on ebay. Lets hope it lasts longer than the TSST (<1 yr)