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    How to turn an optical drive from Master to Slave and vice versa?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by naton, Nov 9, 2008.

  1. naton

    naton Notebook Virtuoso

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    The question is on the title :)
     
  2. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    You would need to flash the optical drive with a different version of the firmware, if available.

    It may be easier to change the HDD to slave since that can (for PATA) usually be done by pitting a jumper between two of the pins on the right side of the connector (instructions on HDD manufacturer's web site).

    John
     
  3. naton

    naton Notebook Virtuoso

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    Thanks John

    The optical drive is a Pioneer DVR-K17RS. I can't find a firmware for it. I'm trying to use it on a Toshiba laptop but can't get it to work. I tryied to jump the HDD (Master, Slave, CSEL) but no avail.

    Question:
    Can I backup the flash drive already installed in the optical drive?
    If yes, what would be the commond switch to turn the drive to slive, because it seems that Toshiba laptops recognise only Slive optical drives.
     
  4. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    Some notebooks use only one IDE channel. You can check this in Device Manager. If there's only one channel then the HDD and ODD have to share (unless the HDD is SATA).

    Here is a Pioneer flash utility, but use it at your own risk.

    John
     
  5. quinielascom

    quinielascom Notebook Enthusiast

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    Others notebook use two channels but in place use the IDE CD/DVD Drive as master they use as Cable Select, under your self risk, you can make a jumper (solder short) between pin number 47 & pin 48 in the internal IDE CD/DVD connector, this for change to CS Mode.

    pinouts.ru/DiskCables/cdrom_40to50_pinout.shtml

    Regards.
     
  6. naton

    naton Notebook Virtuoso

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    Hi guys and thaks for the links.

    I have a question:
    Let assume I have two laptops; one that works with master optical drive only and the other one with slie only. Would an optical drive set to Cable Select work in both of them?
     
  7. quinielascom

    quinielascom Notebook Enthusiast

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    May be, Cable Select for default works as Master when haven´t another drive connected.