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    Modding a Slim-DVD to Master

    Discussion in 'Panasonic' started by guidol1970, Apr 10, 2013.

  1. guidol1970

    guidol1970 Notebook Enthusiast

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    For using a generic Slim-DVD/CD-Drive in a (here by me a CF-29) Toughbook you could connect the 2 Points from R2 at the caddy
    OR
    you could mod the Drive itself to be master on IDE.

    I did read about connecting Pin 45 (GND) and Pin 47 (Cable Select) to get the Drive as master, but couldnt bring that as
    a picture to my mind :-(

    Now I did find the following german page (fine readable in english via Google Translator) with some Pics and Pinouts:
    Dschen Reinecke: Master/Slave-Jumper für ein Laptop-Brenner

    I got a like-new drive from a defective Thinkpad (non-Ultrabay) which I want to convert... I will give it a try :)
     
    guidol1970, Apr 10, 2013
    #1
  2. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    We do have that mod posted some where with pictures...I think it was posted as a CF-30 mod :confused:
     
    toughasnails, Apr 10, 2013
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  3. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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    Shawn, Apr 10, 2013
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  4. Toughbook

    Toughbook Drop and Give Me 20!

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    I posted a tutorial on it years ago... The pictures have since disappeared but I think either I or someone else posted a PDF file in the same thread somewhere...

    You "should" be able to mod the drive itself.... But with R2 being so easy to solder.... Why would you? Then you could always swap drives within the caddy and have a working master drive.
     
    Toughbook, Apr 10, 2013
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  5. guidol1970

    guidol1970 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I think another Web-Copy of a tutorial is at CF-27 / CF-28 / CF-29 Optical Drive Swap - ToughWiki

    I have to check how easy R2 is to solder at my drive-adapter-pcb- I did see different version of the pcb at some pitures..and on some it didnt look easy to solder and some look easy to solder.... and :) I think I only would swap once for a new drive :)
     
    guidol1970, Apr 10, 2013
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  6. Toughbook

    Toughbook Drop and Give Me 20!

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    Yup... That's the same one. The first time I did the mod with R2 I just globbed some solder on there. After that I actually taped a small piece of copper wire so the solder would flow easier.

    I had it down to about 5 minutes from start to finish... If that. It's an easy mod and totally reversible if need be.
     
    Toughbook, Apr 10, 2013
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  7. guidol1970

    guidol1970 Notebook Enthusiast

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    After I did see the small contacts on the drive right before my eyes I did thimk "Ok lets do the R2 Mod" :) and the contacts for the R2 also are very small (for me and my soldering-iron).

    But with a little wire I did get it soldered - not so nice from the look - but it works :)

    My CF-29 now got a working DVD-Writer from LG. Its Modell GSA-T40N.
    You could see it in the MP-Bay at my Blog-Entry:
    Neues DVD-Laufwerk fuer Toughbook CF-29 | Wordpress-Blog von Guido Lehwalder
     
    guidol1970, Apr 12, 2013
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  8. ohlip

    ohlip Toughbook Modder

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    Or you may use "0" ohm resistor from any dead mbo or pcb board.



    ohlip
     
    ohlip, Apr 12, 2013
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  9. guidol1970

    guidol1970 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yes, i know...but I never soldered a smd-part nor my soldering-iron is small enough :-(
     
    guidol1970, Apr 12, 2013
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  10. ohlip

    ohlip Toughbook Modder

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    Its very simple If you do have a cheap soldering tip, Grind it! or maybe a file will do the job to make it a pen type tip. Thats the thing i do.


    ohlip
     
    ohlip, Apr 12, 2013
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  11. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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    Shawn, Apr 12, 2013
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