Need help figuring out what drive to replace DVD-RW in NX9420

Just have a question...is there any site I can search to figure the mess that are DVD laptop model numbers. I assume from the past that the bay in my NX9420 is a 9.5mm multi-bay II, yes?

I was going to grab a UJ-852 drive as it is listed as compatible with the NW9440...and near as I recall the only difference between the two models was the graphics card options and the included warranties.

My NX9420 has been running pretty much 24/7 since I bought in in around in early 2007. Been through three HDD upgrades and now at 500GB, 4GB RAM...still plugging along wonderfully. Until the DVD drive started popping open just because...I finally had enough, took it out, opened it up and the danged front ribbon cable was so weakened it just fell apart in the middle at the bend...soooo, no real hope of repair so I felt it best to just upgrade the drive to something newer...hence does the UJ-852 and will it fit...I truly have looked, emailed vendors and cannot seem to figure out of the drives are only for the external Multi-bay II or I can remove any attached adapter and use the old mounting bracket then slide it into the bay and be done...maybe a new drive but nothing more...I hope?

Thanks to all for any info on figuring this out...been a rough week and I simply seem to have lost the ability to figure it out.

 

Have a look here to see how HP add a multibay adapter on the back of a standard JAE50 PATA connector for connection with the systemboard. If it's a 9.5mm, then yes, UJ-842/UJ-852 could be a choice. Consider too how you setup a SSD+HDD system via optical drive bay, perhaps buying an external optical drive?

 

perfect , exactly the details i wanted...plus the added bonus of now knowing I can easily grab an HDD adapter for the multi-bay and add either the old SATA 160gb drive rather than using it as an external drive or just plop down another $90 for a 2nd 500gb drive...but for now I need the new DVD drive so that is what I will do...

As for the idea of an external optical drive. I am too mobile to deal with any external devices at all. There have always and still are, concessions which need to be made for their use then the inconvenience. Still if I decide to get a caddy and a 2nd HDD, I would be very happy to learn to love the bomb, so to speak.

Thanks for the great links and quick reply...I have to order today so I can have the drive by Tuesday...ya helped a bunch. I will be back to read the drive caddy threads more closely...nice to see they are at a reasonable price. All they are is an enclosure with a pretty inexpensive interface adapter...about time these were more readily available.

have a great rest of the weekend and really, thanks!