3120v DVD Drive

I bought a 3120 from a co-worker of mine for $200. The thing runs great but we need to replace the DVD drive. We've seen a few combo drives on ebay. What model drives will work with a 3120? Currently I'm looking at this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=6741458237&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

Also is there software that will allow me to monitor the heat? Thank You.

 

Anyone know where I can get a new drive for a decent price?

 

try mwave.com or newegg.com, bananapc.com, I have shopped at all three and they have pretty good prices.
-andrew

 

Stryker,

I know most cd rom drives will fit in normal laptops, you need to unscrew the metal module that holds it into place. Doing that will also change the "exterior" of it, so that it will fit the rest of the laptop. It's kinda the same with the hard drive.

I have never done it, I will ask around and see if I can get an answer about this issue.

I will keep you informed.

Math

 

I found two on Ebay but got outbid at the last second. Since then there hasn't been any that are a decent price. I'll keep watching but if anyone finds another one let me know. thanks.

I need to find one with a form factor like this:

http://i16.ebayimg.com/01/i/03/5a/32/26_1_b.JPG

 

I replaced the oem dvd player for a slot-loading dvd burner purchased from newegg.com for about 150 bucks.

The process was a sinch...the only trick is to remove the plastic spacer/guide and adapter and screw it onto the new drive. Then just slide that sucker back in place, and you should be in business.

BTW Stryker...I still have the OEM dvd player i'm willing to part with...if thats what you rlooking for. Not a thing wrong with it, i just needed a burner. Let me know if your interested, and we can discuss it off the forum.

DD

 

I will let you know soon. I'm working on a combo drive, but if that falls through i'll take that OEM. I'm tired of waiting and the drive that I have now looks bad.

 

Right-o!

Just let me know either thru the fourm or my gmail.

DD

 

I sent you an e-mail a few days ago. Not sure if you got it or it ended up in the junk folder.

 

stryker-

Sorry for not responding i've been down with the flu and lost my wifi access point just before i got sick. I'll check my mail when I get home and take it from there...no hard feelings i hope?

DD

 

I got your e-mail today and I had sent you a response over a week ago. Not sure if you got it or not.

 

I didn't see your message...or it coulda gone to the wayside dur to flu induced retardness[ ]

Either way, let me know if your still interested. Just respond back to the email...i'm looking for ya this time!

 

I sent another e-mail today.

 

I have an offer for the combo drive, but I'd like to hear your offer first. His offer expires today at 4pm. If you can please e-mail me before then. Thanks.

 

I got the new drive but the BIOS isn't seeing it. Is there a way to flash the BIOS on a 3120V? Averatec's site doesn't have a BIOS update for the 3120.

 

You shouldn't have to do anything with the BIOS to make the DVD ROM work. Those devices are plug and play...it should just slide into the slot and be recognized by Windows. You should see the OS recognize it and load the drivers. Considering why this laptop was sold to you on the cheep in the first place, I have to wonder if something deeper in the system isn't causing this problem.

Your correct about Averatecs site not having BIOS info. This is critical ! Don't mess with your BIOS if you; A)can't back up the origional. And B) don't have the proper one to install. I'm sure you know this, but I just want to make sure.

Have you looked in the system properties for the DVDROM? It should show up there even if it dosent work. It would likely have a icon that looks like a yellow circle with at slash thru it. From there (if it exists) you will be able to r-click on it and reload the driver. Give this a try...let us know if it works.

 

Yes it was "on the cheap" but as soon as I take out the combo drive and slide back the original drive it's picked up. Could it be that XP just isn't seeing the drive for whatever reason?

After some experimenting last night, I don't think it's the BIOS. I'll keep trying, but if it doesn't work soon I'm sending it back. I'd still be interested in that drive you have if it's available.

 

Good! Glad to hear that maybe it was just the OS being finicky and not something else more serious.

And if that doesnt work, I do still have the OEM DVDROM.

 

Is there some way you and I can talk via IM? E-mail doesn't seem to be working well. I see this forum doesn't have PMs or we could do it that way. Let me know.

 

I shot you an email...

"Here, I don't know why gmail was being difficult, maybe thats why its still a beta! My IM is "[email protected]" under the name -<TREV>-, I only use it when i'm at work. Mon, Tues, Wed and Sat 1pm (PST) to 2am. Let's give this a try."

 

I'll DL MSN and try and catch you sometime tomorrow.