DVDRW Upgrade

I have a zv5000z notebook and like an idiot bought it without a DVDRW drive[V]. Is there an OEM replacement that is available for my laptop that anyone knows of?

 

I'm sure HP has one they will sell you, but that will probably be expensive. The cheapest route to go, if you are not moving your notebook much, would be to get an external one. It will be faster. The fastest laptop drives burn a full DVD in about 13 minutes. A 16x desktop drive will do it in about six minutes. A couple issues you might run into are the bezel on the drive you purchase might not be the same shape or size as the old one. It may be possible to swap or reshape the bezel depending on your skill level. Secondly firmware can sometimes cause problems. Laptop drives don't have jumpers like desktop drives. It is set by the firmware or dip switches in the drive. If you laptop wants slave and the drive is set to master, you are going to have problems. You won't get much help from the manufacturer cause the drives are sold as OEM. I did replace combo drive on a Presario with a NEC DVD burner. I didn't have any problems, but the bezels were the same shape. I think the bezel on the zv5000 is curved at the bottom. Possibly getting a DVD burner that is the same manufacturer as the combo drive will help. Good Luck.







I know things, things that could get me killed


Thinkpad T41:
* 1.6Ghz Pentium M * 768Mb Memory * 40Gb Hitachi 7200RPM * Panasonic UJ-845-B DVD+RW *

 

You are right the drive is contoured to the laptops overall shape and I would probably not be able to find a aftermarket drive that could fit properly. I'm fairly advanced and could probably make it work but one reason I got a laptop was to keep myself from messing with my computer so I am going to keep things simple. Your suggestion of using an external drive is what I have been thinking. I am looking for some portability so I was considering the LaCie Slim DVD±RW Drive. Has anyone had any luck with these?

Here is a link to the drive http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?pid=10515

Thanks

 

I am asuming that the face plates pop off and are interchangeable for the drives (If you know)? I am trying to maintain the look of the notebook as best I can. Ive never switched a drive so I am new to this.

 

A dual layer one from Pioneer should fit. Read in this thread from here on to the end.

http://www.notebookreview.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=713&whichpage=34

 

I don't know, but take a look at this:

http://www.notebookreview.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2712&SearchTerms=Toshiba,4x,Ultradrives








I know things, things that could get me killed


Thinkpad T41:
* 1.6Ghz Pentium M * 768Mb Memory * 40Gb Hitachi 7200RPM * Panasonic UJ-845-B DVD+RW *

 

No the face plate on the built in drive doesn't come off from what I could read. Some of the replacement Toshiba drives had the option to add a face plate which was for the Pavilion N5000 series. It fits but isn't exaclty like the original.

I'm looking at the newest Pioneer drive http://www.directron.com/dvrk14.html which has Dual layer capabilities. It looks like the newest Toshiba with the same specs cannot use that optional face plate anymore.

If you read the topic I left you again, towards the end you can read that the Pioneer drive fits even though it's face plate is straight. It's just recessed. I don't think it's too big of a viusal issue. It would bother me if it stuck out.

 

I just picked up a Panasonic UJ-845-B drive on ebay and put it in a case found here:

http://www.centrix-intl.com/details.asp?item=6zxxzEX-BLK-02

The case is little platicky and was a little tough to put together because of the wires on the USB connector. I performs well. It will work with any slim optical drive. The nice thing about it is, it is USB powered so you don't have to lug around the AC adapter. You can probably get a drive for around $120, maybe cheaper on ebay, plus the cost of the case. That will make it a little less expensive than the Lacie. Won't get any software though. Good Luck.






I know things, things that could get me killed


Thinkpad T41:
* 1.6Ghz Pentium M * 768Mb Memory * 40Gb Hitachi 7200RPM * Panasonic UJ-845-B DVD+RW *

 

Hey guys thanks for all the advice. I think that I am just going to pickup a USB external DVD writer. For the amount of DVDs I would actually burn (Probably none on the go) and the fact that I really dont want to mess with the look of the notebook I think that is the best option for me.[ ]

Thanks for all the time and effor though!

 

Hi all, look i just bought a new internal dvd-rw and an ide-usb connector to use with my laptop. it will read disks fine but will not write dvds. i have tried it at all speeds and still no joy. it also messes up the mouse which makes it hard to play around with options. Any ideas what my problem may be??

Thanks
MM

 

Might want to try to update your usb drivers. Is this in a case or without? DVD burners generate a lot of heat. A case with a fan might be a good idea.