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    Laptop Blu-ray drive in desktop?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by t_bum, Dec 18, 2009.

  1. t_bum

    t_bum Newbie

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    Hello,
    Last week my sony vaio fw died (motherboards the culprit, 600 to get repaired by sony...lol), so I decided I would scrap it and salvage all I could. I know I can use the cpu, but I would also like to keep the blu-ray player that I paid a ridiculous amount for, is there any way I might be able to convert it for use in a desktop?



    Vaio's are beautiful, the cost of their problems are not....
     
    t_bum, Dec 18, 2009
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  2. hendra

    hendra Notebook Virtuoso

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    What is the drive model number?
     
    hendra, Dec 18, 2009
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  3. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    Perhaps you can buy a USB case for it.
     
    ZaZ, Dec 18, 2009
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  4. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Can't see why not - the only thing you have to get sorted is the connection - possibly sata and a power supply...
    (A guess here)
     
    DetlevCM, Dec 18, 2009
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  5. t_bum

    t_bum Newbie

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    Panasonic UJ-120
     
    t_bum, Dec 18, 2009
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  6. hendra

    hendra Notebook Virtuoso

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    OK, that's an ATAPI drive, not SATA. http://products.panasonic-industrial.com/datasheets/en/UJ-120.pdf

    You would need an external PATA/ATAPI to USB Enclosure for an Optical Drive. The enclosure must be 12.7mm since that is the height of your drive. Look for them at eBay. Verify with your seller that it meets all the spec I mentioned in bold.

    Note that some enclosures are for SATA to USB. They won't work with your drive.

    There may be a way that you can use it as an internal drive but I am not an expert in desktop hardware.
     
    hendra, Dec 18, 2009
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  7. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    The only issue with a external case might be the bezel not lining up correctly. What notebook do you have? It may be possible to buy a bezel and swap them. It might be worth a look on eBay for a used board for your machine and do the work yourself.
     
    ZaZ, Dec 18, 2009
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  8. t_bum

    t_bum Newbie

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    I was thinking about doing that, but I know nothing about disassembling the motherboard and I haven't brought it to a professional to have it diagnosed. I just diagnosed it from similar issues that people had with there vaios (powers up but screen stays blank, hardrive spins, so I don't think thats the problem). Followed the steps to fix problem (reseat ram, remove hardrive, make sure power is alright) but nothing worked, so I assume the motherboard has failed.

    Found a motherboard for 200 on ebay, should I go for it and hope that I can assemble it properly?
     
    t_bum, Dec 18, 2009
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  9. hendra

    hendra Notebook Virtuoso

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    Removing the original bezel is piece of cake. At least with FW as I had done it myself. Just remove the original Sony bezel and replace it with a generic bezel (there are tons of them at eBay).

    Just follow the instruction here http://www.laptopdvdburner.org/replacement-procedure/how-to-replace-a-bezel-on-a-laptop-dvd-burner
     
    hendra, Dec 18, 2009
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