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    ThinkPad R32 Issue (CD-ROM connector issue)

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by John Blade, Jan 22, 2012.

  1. John Blade

    John Blade Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hello again. A week ago, I got myself a decent looking ThinkPad R32 which was still working when I got it from buying it from a person. It have a WinXP Pro fresh install with 20 GB hard drive. I manage to update the OS software to the point where it's now use up 75% of the Hard Drive (what you expect when you have only 20 GB HD).

    Now, the person who sold me his R32 told me they is an issue with the CD-ROM connector. When he own it, the CD-ROM will work 50% of the time when reading the disc. He say it might be some dirt got stuck in between the connector or maybe they might be an issue with the pin. The problem right now is the R32 he sold to me don't have a CD-ROM for me to test it out. What I got is a Hard Drive caddy (IDE). This isn't a major problem as I most likely will buy an IDE HD in the future (as I am using this laptop as my retro PC game laptop). Unfortunately, I don't want to spend the money and found out it won't read on this laptop. So, is they a way to see if this issue is a physical problem or is it a software problem?
     
    John Blade, Jan 22, 2012
    #1
  2. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    there is no real easy way of testing whether it is pin issue or a software issue.

    But given it is a new OS install, then it is unlikely a software problem.

    Furthermore, if it is the pin of the motherboard then the IDE caddy would also have problem working, as this shares the same cd-rom connector.

    As such there is a high probability the issue resides on the original cd-rom drive itself.
     
    lead_org, Jan 22, 2012
    #2