USB caddy/case for Y580 optical drive.

Hey all- I have a caddy for my hard disk drive in my Y580 (to go in the ODD drive spot) and it works well. Now I have an optical drive sitting on my table looking for a home.

I would like to find a USB (preferably USB 3) case/caddy for the optical drive so I don't have to shift things around every time I need to use the optical drive. I have some rep to give for some good links/ideas.

 

You could look for some external enclosures that go SATA to USB 3.0 or eSATA (forget if the Y580 has an eSATA or not I don't have mine yet), I know they make some for 2.5" hard drives, and a few like this one ( Newegg.com - StarTech SLMSOPTB USB to Slimline CD/DVD Optical Drive Black External Enclosure) for ODD drives, although I can't find any USB 3.0 ones.

 

How did you pry the face plate of the ODD off? Mine has extremely tough tabs that I can't seem to push in...

 

Thanks MgoBlue. Rep for you... I wonder if USB 3 is even necessary, can ODD drives saturate USB 2 even? Maybe someone else can educate me on that one. I am thinking ODD drives don't currently have the bandwidth to need USB 3.

Min- I havent messed with the faceplate yet. It still sits on the drive as it was.

 

DVD 1x is 1.3 Mb/s, so even at 22x or whatever speed the drive is it shouldn't saturate a USB 2.0 connection. Makes sense, the bottleneck is the reading data off the disk and not transferring the read data through an interface.

I guess that's also why we see no USB 3.0 external ODD drives

 

I explained how to take off the faceplate in an earlier post in the owners thread. Basically, you loosen the faceplate from a latch on its right side (see pic in the post, circled in red). Then you swing the faceplate around which should automatically unlatch the other side. It worked for my Y580 ODD. Remember to be gentle when swinging the faceplate around.

 

Okay, I received some messages about removing the ODD bezel. I'll try to explain it better by referring to the image below:



Preamble: Take out your ODD according to this HDD -> ODD guide: Y580N¿ªÏäÍâ¹ÛʵÅÄ¡« »»ÈýÐÇ830 SSD ¹âÇýλÍмÜÓ²ÅÌ_ÁªÏëY480¡¢Y580ÂÛ̳

1) Dislodge this latch, which is pretty easy.

2) Turn the ODD upside down and take note of the remaining latch at this corner.

3) Swing out the ODD bezel from the opposite corner slowly and carefully. The red line indicates the location of my palm while the ODD was still upside down. There are two other hidden clasps inside the bezel, so don't be alarmed if you hear a popping noise while swinging the bezel out. Just make sure that you didn't snap the clasp on #2.

Note on #3: After easily dislodging latch #1, using a small screwdriver, I tried to dislodge the latch of #2 by trying to drive the clasp underneath the latch. Needless to say that it went nowhere. After that didn't work, I tried to swing out the bezel (see #3) nonchalantly and the bezel popped out to my surprise. I would caution people to take care on step #3. If you find that your bezel is resisting your attempt, I would not continue any further.

Here is what the bezel looks like after you pop it out (numbers corresponding to the steps above):




Disclaimer: I'm not responsible for any damage you may cause to your ODD bezel. Please post how it went if you decided to follow my mini-guide.

 

To OP, do you mean this? USB 3.0 External Enclosure for Optical Drive (12.7 mm SATA) [slimSATA-USB-C16] - $26.95 : NewmodeUS, Hard Drive Caddys for Notebooks

I'm looking into such options myself. Although, I would want something that comes in a hard metal case rather than the rubberized holder New Modeus is selling. But hey, at least the price is reasonable and the cable itself is $23.

 

Where do you get the caddy for the HDD to go into the optical drive?

I just seen one on ebay but im not sure of the quality. Also how difficult was the installation? Did you move your HDD into the optical slot then install an SSD into the main HDD slot?

Thanks

 

Well, you can do either as I think the ODD SATA port is rated as SATA III. For myself, I installed an SSD in the main HDD bay and moved the HDD to the ODD bay.

1) I purchased by caddy from ebay from ny-compu-tek for ~$12. Since I'm in the US, I looked for a US dealer. You can get it cheap from a HK dealer but expect to wait a least a month before it arrives. I used the search query "12.7mm sata to sata caddy". Any generic one will do and the quality has fine so far. The temps have been in the low-mid 30s (C).

2) Installation was dead easy, but the hardest part was removing the bezel. See my post above the post you replied to see pictures and instructions.

Here's a video on how to remove the ODD from a typical laptop (for specific instructions, see my post above): Dual Harddrive laptop: Add an SSD into an HP DV6 6190us.flv - YouTube

Here's a video on how to remove the ODD bezel from a typical ODD (for specific instructions, see my post above): How to replace a bezel on a Laptop DVD Burner- YouTube

 

Installed the BR writer (UJ260) that came with my Y580 into this enclosure: USB 3.0 External Slim O.D.D. Enclosure for Slim-SATA O.D.D. Devices (DVD-100U3)

Nothing but Verbatim BD-R (97457) and Taiyo Yuden DVD-R (TYG02) coasters. I wonder if it could be due to a bum USB cable included in the package. Anyways, I am disappoint.

Code:

I 07:29:56 Destination Device: [0:0:0] MATA BD-MLT UJ260 1.00 (H:) (USB)
I 07:29:56 Destination Media Type: DVD-R (Disc ID: TYG02)
I 07:29:56 Destination Media Supported Write Speeds: 2x, 8x
I 07:29:56 Destination Media Sectors: 2,298,496
I 07:29:56 Write Mode: DVD
I 07:29:56 Write Type: DAO
I 07:29:56 Write Speed: 8x
I 07:29:56 Link Size: Auto
I 07:29:56 Lock Volume: Yes
I 07:29:56 Test Mode: No
I 07:29:56 OPC: No
I 07:29:56 BURN-Proof: Enabled
I 07:29:56 Write Speed Successfully Set! - Effective: 11,080 KB/s (8x)
I 07:29:58 Filling Buffer... (80 MB)
I 07:29:59 Writing LeadIn...
I 07:30:10 Writing Session 1 of 1... (1 Track, LBA: 0 - 2188261)
I 07:30:10 Writing Track 1 of 1... (MODE1/2048, LBA: 0 - 2188261)
W 07:35:59 Failed to Write Sectors 1122272 - 1122303 - Reason: The semaphore timeout period has expired.
W 07:35:59 Retrying (1 of 20)...
W 07:36:57 Retry Failed - Reason: The semaphore timeout period has expired.
W 07:36:57 Retrying (2 of 20)...
I 07:37:17 Abort Request Acknowledged

 

Apparently, my unit shipped with a crap USB 3.0 cable (thanks BYTECC!). Replaced the cable with a brand new one and now I can burn DVD's and BR's just fine.

Here are some pics of the unpacking and installation (note: start on the corner outlined in red when attaching the drive bezel):

Spoiler

 

Hello. Thank you for posting this thread, I was looking for this. I have a couple questions for the OP or anyone who has done this or can provide me insight:

1.) How are your HDD temps before and after swapping the HDD in the ODD slot?
2.) Is this the caddy that ssri was talking about?:
SATA 2nd HDD HD Hard Driver Caddy for 12.7mm Universal CD / DVD-ROM Optical Bay | eBay

If I read correctly, the ODD bay is only SATA II (and the HDD bay is SATA III?). Will there be a drop in read/write speeds if I put my HDD in the in the ODD bay? I have the 500gb 7200 rpm one.

3.) What enclosure did you end up going with? It is hard to find a good USB 3.0 enclosure for the blu ray combo odd that comes with most Y580's. Do you recommend a certain one?

Thank you so much!

Edit: another quick and newbish question. I don't think it would, but after installing the HDD caddy and faceplate into the ODD bay, pushing on the faceplate wouldn't make the drive pop out correct?

 

Before: 52C (out of the box, burning recovery media); After: <43C (mind you this is after hours long gaming on top of a U3 heating pad; taking notes in-class or studying in library: <39C)

This caddy is just a generic one that has worked great on my Y580. Also, it came with an ODD bezel that worked perfectly with my ODD enclosure! (see my post above yours)

Should it matter? You should check the drive controller of your HDD using HWiNFO. If it says "Serial ATA 3Gb/s," then you are stuck in SATA II land. The 7200rpm 750 GB that came with my HP dv6 ivy bridge, already returned, had a SATA II drive controller. My 1TB 5400rpm that came with my Y580 is SATA II according to the HWiNFO program that I ran after opening the box. I think nearly everyone is shoving their HDD in the ODD bay and the SATA II results that people claim is likely due to their drive controller and not the SATA specification of that port (I may be wrong though). What is needed is for someone to stick a known SATA III SSD and verify whether it allows SATA III devices to run at SATA III speeds.

Check my post above yours

No, there's no release mechanism in the HDD->ODD caddy as in the ODD, see the fourth pic in my post above yours (circle button).

As for removing the Y580 bezel from the Blu-ray drive, check my post in this thread that contains instructions and videos (#10 I think)...

You're welcome!

 

My Crucial M4 mSATA has a SATA 6GB/s while my 500GB 7200RPM has a SATA 3GB/s controller. So there will be no decrease in speeds when switching to the ODD bay because the controller is SATA II. Is that what you're saying??


Also I checked the enclosure you bought on newegg. Do you like it now that you have a working USB 3.0 cable? And I'm assuming it works with BluRays?
Thank you again

 

SATA 6 Gb/s is SATA III; SATA 3 Gb/s is SATA II. Thus, you shouldn't see any change in HDD performance in your case if you place the HDD in the ODD bay. I see my HDD as "SATA 3Gb/s" in the ODD bay, exactly the same as when it was in the HDD bay, when I purchased the Y580. I still don't know whether the ODD bay is SATA II or III, I would guess the latter.

Yes I like it. It was easy to install and it matches the Y580 . Blu-rays now burn fine at 6x after I purchased an aftermarket USB 3.0 A to Micro B cable from newegg (~$20 including shipping and handling). I'm pissed that it took 4 Blu-ray coasters before determining that it was a bum cable, as I tried different source drives (SSD, HDDs in USB 3.0 enclosures/docking station, etc). Try it out on a blank DVD. It if craps and you see similar error msgs above, then you know you'll have to get a new USB 3.0 cable.

 

Is the USB 3.0 A to Micro B cable required for having an external ODD bay? I don't understand what you need it for. I was looking at getting something like this:
USB 3.0 External Enclosure for Optical Drive (12.7 mm SATA) [slimSATA-USB-C16] - $26.95 : NewmodeUS, Hard Drive Caddys for Notebooks

And then this for the enclosure:
External Rubber Enclosure for optical drives 12.7mm [ODD12-ENCLOSURE-R16] - $6.95 : NewmodeUS, Hard Drive Caddys for Notebooks

 

It appears that the rubber enclosure is already included in the $26 option. Frankly, I went with the BYTECC one because the enclosure is a plastic case with a metal interior. I can easily transport my Blu-ray drive if need be. Not so much with the New Modeus option. As for the USB 3.0 A to Micro B cable, it is req'd with the BYTECC enclosure, plus it can be used for other devices that use it as it is pretty universal. The New Modeus one seems to be proprietary.

 

Alright, I'm going to trust your word and go with the external enclosure you purchased! It's more of an actual enclosure compared to the one I listed before. I can't find another USB 3.0 external enclosure for an optical drive on newegg anyway. Hopefully the faulty cable was a rare instance. Why did you purchase another one? Shouldn't the manufacturer provide you with a new cable (provided if there is a warranty)?

I have no use for burning blu rays, as long as it can read/write cd and dvd's and play blu ray movies!

Also, if I have a problem with my laptop and have to send it back to lenovo, would it be difficult to put things back the way they were before? Since taking the faceplate off is a pain, I can't imaging putting it back on is any easier.

It's a shame we have to do this to an overall excellent notebook. I'm very happy with my purchase except for being worried about this major design flaw. I've hit 58C before on my HDD, I hope those few times it was that high it didn't do any permanent damage to it.

 

Well, I was a little impatient with the USB 3.0 cable but you can try to bug the manufacturer if you wish. It seems that others were luckier than myself when it came to the included cables.

Yeah, the only thing I can criticize about the Y580 is the HDD placement, but I am pleased with everything else. Yeah, taking the faceplate off is a pain the first time, but I think it is easier the second go around.

As for the warranty, I am not quite sure as there are no warranty stickers that could cause one to pause while removing the ODD or HDD. If you are concerned about it, you can always put everything back in their original locations, and yes you have to tackle the dvd faceplate again.

If you read the newegg reviews, removing the ODD from the BYTECC enclosure will be somewhat difficult as you shove the entire ODD into the enclosure when installing the unit. There is no tab or anything else for easy removal. I would guess that you will need pliers to remove the ODD from the enclosure. Be careful not to bend the ODD frame when doing so! When comparing BYTECC's and. NewModeus enclosures, the former seems to be sturdier, transportable and offers more protection in the case that something is dropped upon it, whereas the latter offers an easier route to placing the ODD back into the Y580 for warranty repairs.