W3J - Removing modular bay? (again?)

I have a W3J here in front of me, and despite reading both previous threads and having long experience with swappable drives, I can not manage to remove the optical drive. I pull back the lock switch, pull forward on the "CD/DVD" bar, wiggle and pry and cajole and ease, but despite the plastic flexing like you wouldn't believe that drive ain't budging. Is the bay particularly stiff, or does the W3J have a screw like the V1JP? Does the computer need to be booted up or something? Any other tips or suggestions? Already tried elbow grease, not quite ready to try WD-40...

 

well you got it all right. unless you are pressing the battery release switch there is nothing else you are missing. it does not come with a screw like v1j. Just press and pull. Try this. Press on the spot right around the release knob and pull at the same time. it comes out you may not be using enough elbow grease.

 

Err... screw? I don't remember seeing a screw on the optical drive keeping it in the system on the V1.

I had no trouble removing the optical drive from my Z63A, though it is similar more to the W3A than the W3J.

Also, I noticed that the V1 and the Z63A modular bays connectors appear to be the same, but the retention plastic on the optical unit seems to have an extra notch on the Z63A, meaning it won't fit nicely into the V1 without some minor surgery... same size, but the plastic sticks out more...

 

Thanks - we finally managed to get it out with two of us prying at once! Guess it was just very sticky, hopefully it will loosen up... (the travel bezel pops fine)

 

Don't get too violent.I know mine makes some kind of metal "squeak",everytime I take it off.

 

Bizarre - I just push the switch and pull with very little force required.

~ Brett

 

I just push mine and it comes out without alot of force.

 

where is this "lock" switch you guys speak of? do all w3j's come with swap feature?

 

All W3Js have it.

It's on the "belly" of the notebook, it's a biggish button (bigger than the battery release) with the picture of a CD and lock/unlock to the respective sizes. A spring keeps it in the "lock" position. You pull it to "unlock", and then pull the optical drive, putting your fingers around the plastic front (you can see the separation edge). It should come out.

If the NB is running, be sure to 'unplug' it first from Windows system tray.