DVD-RW upgrade on Inspiron 1720

Hello. My first post is to find out what alternatives i have for my good old Inpiron 1720. I bought in 2007, so it might be limited to e certain choise. My old one sang its last tune some time ago and i did find some identical replacements on e-bay and such, but i want to know if can i put any other model in it? Such as the ones that can burn dual layer discs.

 

Oh and by the way, my previous model was TS-L632

 

you can put any model as long as it has the same interface (SATA or PATA/IDE) and same height (most likely 12.7mm)
I've replaced Hitachi LG DVD-Combo with a Pioneer DVDRW Dual Layer in my vostro

 

The TS-L632 is a standard 1/2" (12.7mm) thick "slim" burner with PATA / IDEinterface ( specs here). The newer burners are SATA and Newegg lists only one PATA slim burner.

You should check whether your burner has an IDE channel to itself (Device Manager > IDE ATA/ATAPI Devices >). If it share a channel then the burner needs to be preset as slave. One way to find a list of compatible burners is to look at the list of all the optical drive drivers available for the Inspiron 1720. This includes the GSA-T21N, AD-5560A, DS-8W1P, DVR-K17YA and the TS-L632H.

John

 

I see the model lines are the same with vostro 1400..

I replaced my GCCT-10N with Pioneer DVR-KD08 though

you can see the specs here:
http://www.videohelp.com/dvdwriters/
(use search by code)

 

Well, lets imagine i decide to stick in a default model. Am i limited to a DVD-RW that came of an Inspiron 1720? I browsed through eBay and i can see tons of TS-L632's but they came of different laptops.

 

grab whatever suits you..
All that you need is in your Inspiron (backplate, screws, etc)

 

I'm just a bit confused here. My conection is PATA, but apparantly PATA, IDE and EIDE are the same! Which would mean i can stick in a Dual Layer DVD-RW, or am i being a bit greedy?

This could be a good catch:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TOSHIBA-DVD-D...pAccessories_LaptopDrives?hash=item4838fee59b

 

This is true! They are all basically describing the same connector. There are quite a bit of PATA DL-DVD burners avaliable especially on google products.

 

Whoa! For that price, it is the one I would try first.

If it doesn't work, then go for something closer to the original drive you had.

You're not being greedy, just trying to maximize your current investment.

Hope this works for you.

Cheers!

 

Looks like it will work
btw is the front besel flat on yours like the model in the link


Alex

 

Thanks. Since i get PATA's , EIDE's and so on in the ebay listings. Now i'm clear with the technical meanings and it only goes to show me there is still lot's i can do with my old boy. Thank you everyone for your help.

 

I tought yours already a Dual layer??
http://www.videohelp.com/dvdwriters?DVDname=TS-L632&Submit=Search&orderby=Name&hits=50&Search=Search

 

No its not flat, but i guess i could fit my old one.

 

No, mine is not. in 2007, Dell did not produce the Inspiron 1720 with a DL burner

 

correct, the front plate is also detachable, must use your old one.

 

Look for a replacement that has the same shape then, or a least the same brand drive as yours
There is not a single standard for the bezel , some attach without problems

Alex

 

lol.. PATA is long from dead in notebooks. It was used for such a long time even after the desktops had gone all SATA, that there will be lots of parts for your laptop for quite a while.

 

can't do, I know some dells have customized front bezel, like my 1400 in pic below

 

Match the positions of the activity light and eject up to your own drive for the best chance for a bezel swap then


Alex

 

So you think i might have problems with fitting my old bezel? I think wouldn't, since i look only for the model i had before, although they came from the drives came off different laptops.

 

actually the light and eject button position should be the same in all drive

you'll swap the bezel fine,
just be careful not to break any plastic holder on the bezel

 

Thats you best chance then

I have only swapped the flat style and have seen (3) different configurations of the bezel
Its safer if you stick to the same brand


Alex