DVD RW add-in?

Hi All!

Does anyone know what brand/model number DVD-RW drive is used in the Compaq R3000 or HP equivalent? I got one with a combo drive (DVD/CD-RW) and really find it hard to live without an internal burner, and I suspect HP's replacement drive is cost prohibitive.

Better yet, has anyone attempted to add-in an OEM half-height drive yet?

Thanks,
Rich

 

Before you purchase a replacement drive, you may want to check on the connector the drive has. I've seen some drives that run off of a ribbon cable & others that have a "pinned" slot that looks like an old printer port on the printer side (not the DB25) but smaller. The drives should be easily removable with a couple screws on the bottom.
Also, from what I noticed, the drive is not that cheap, HP's DVD+RW replacement part price is $700-800, retail for a non-HP sold drive still goes for approx. $300-400.

-Vb-

 

Actually, I've seen Toshiba Toshiba SDR6112's DVD writers (2X) for as little as $132 (US). It looks attractive at that price.

Thanks for the tip about the rear connector. My biggest concern, however, is the bezel on the Compaq R3000 I have. It's not immediately obvious whether/how it can be removed and then fit a generic OEM drive. The whole thing on my combo drive looks quite different from what I've had on previous notebooks. Guess I'll have to pull it out and try some dissecting. I'm just hoping someone else has been there/done that...

Rich

 

Actually, the rear connector is not the only concern. If you're gonna be swapping the front bezel, you also have to make sure the button/led/eject hole matches the replacement drive, otherwise you'll never be able to eject your discs other than using software.

Some bezels are just a "plate" which are removable, but I have seen others that are actually glued onto the tray and are non-removable. Make sure you're careful when trying to remove it.

-Vb-