Replacement for UJ-831B DVDRW ODD

Hi,

The drive on my ASUS M6BNe is failing (will only read disks when it feels like reading -- which most of the times it doesn't). It is a Panasonic / Matsush.ita UJ 831B DVD RW/DualLayer drive. I want to replace it, since I'll be replacing this computer soon and the M6BNe will probably go to my sister; and I want her to have a fully functional computer when it goes to her.

I've found it for under 150USD http://www.impactcomputers.com/uj-831b.html# which considering its price on the ASUS eStore (200) is quite OK. However, I remember from my roaming around various forums that people don't look upon Matshush.ita ODDs very favorably.

So, the main question is: Is there a better idea for a replacement for this UJ-831b than another ODD of the same type? I have no idea about these things (like which types have the same port and are physically compatible in size and screw locations for the caddy), that is why I'm asking. One thing to mention perhaps is that this ODD is hotswappable, and a separate connector/adapter is screwed onto the "raw" ODD connector (it can be removed though). That one goes then to the mainboard. Also notice the indent in the drive's corner, I'm not sure they all have it. It has to be the exact same shape for the hot-swappable caddy to fit. Some more pictures here: http://www.netcomdirect.com/pamauj4xdula.html

One more thing is that I don't care about Dual Layer. If it reads and writes DVD/CD+/-ROM/RW, then it's fine with me.

Thanks in advance,

E.B.E.

PS: One more thing to mention, the computer is not with me now, but I think I did clean up the lens and it still didn't work properly. I don't remember clearly whether I've cleaned it though. Will certainly try that again before buying.

 

any slim optical drive should work, assuming that you don't have an oddly shaped bezel.

you should wait for an answer from john ratsey though...he seems rather knowledgeable on this subject.

and just looking at the images from newegg, they all seem to have the indent in the corner.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&N=2010100005+1036508673&name=Slim+DVD+Burner

 

I'm not very knowledgeable - I've just swapped a few notebook optical drives in the past few years.

The picture at Impact Computers suggests that the UJ-831B is a standard 1/2" / 12.7mm thick burner. This can be checked by taking out the existing burner (usually held in by a screw or two on the bottom or under the keyboard).

Look in Device Manager and see if the optical drive has one IDE channel for itself (ie one device with current transfer rate of UDMA mode 2). If so, then you can drop in any burner because it doesn't matter whether it is set to master, slave or cable select in the firmware. If the ODD shares an IDE channel (unusual on the bigger notebooks then the setting does matter). Most burners come set as master but a few are slave. Sometimes different firmware can be downloaded to change the setting. However, running the firmware update if the burner is trying to use the same channel as the HDD could be challenging.

Anyway, channel setting is not a problem most of the time. A year back I was sent an SN-S082D as a temporary replacement for a TS-L632M burner. The former was set to slave while the latter was master, but no problem because the burner had its own IDE channel.

The other possible compatibility problem is the bezel / fascia. All the burners I have swapped in recent years have had standard fixings (some plastic hooks) so this should be interchangeable. There is a technique to unhooking them.

So, after checking the IDE channel aspect, just look around for any new burner. I have always found Liteons to be very compatible (and there is an easy region-free fix), while NEC / Sony / Optiarc and Toshiba / Samsung (the SE and TS mentioned above come off the same production line). Matsh!ta would be low on the list of preferred brands. This Optiarc burner should be OK and has a good price. Shame it's Labelflash and not Lightscribe - I've never seen Labelflash media.

If the burner's fascia is a basic rectangular shape then a slot loading burner could be an option.

Hope this helps,

John

PS: See this about the interface setting for the AD-7543.

 

My bezel and fascia is screwed on. I believe screws are in standard locations.

IDE channel will be fine, the ODD is on a separate IDE channel.

I will look at a Liteon/Nec/Sony burner here in the Netherlands, looks like I should be able to find one for around 50EUR. I will check the exact dimensions of my Matsh!ta against those of the found burner.

I don't really like slot-loading, and not really care about lightscribe, so actually your proposed burner is a good option. I'll look around some more though.

Thanks very much.

 

I'd recommend LG, I've had 4 LG burners and my current one in my laptop is excellent, fast and reliable like their desktop drives.