I've been working on an old Toshiba Satellite 1800 254 laptop. The CD-ROM drive in it doesn't work (it reads some disks, but makes worrying noises with most others and fails to read data - installing Windows is a nerve-wracking experience to say the least). Naturally, the manual doesn't reveal much about upgrading components beyond upgrading memory. The only other upgrade advice is with regards to the hard disk drive - which can only be changed by "trained experts" (ie, anyone who can locate the one case screw and one retaining screw and be able to pull its draw out). With regards to the CD-ROM drive, "no user servicable parts inside" prevails. Anyhow, once removed, you end up with something that looks like this: Top of the CD-ROM drive, showing its shape. Bottom of the CD-ROM drive. Detail of the electrical connector. Detail of the label. My ultimate aim is to install a DVD RW drive in its place. So, can one buy replacement drives like the above? Are they common? If so, what are they called? The shape of the CD ROM drive - with the overhanging slice - could be a problem, as it overhangs the motherboard, so if it was solid it wouldn't fit. A particular version of the laptop model was issued with a DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive. Buying specific replacement parts from specialist dealers is both limiting (ie, to what the model was issued with - so no DVD RW drives) and expensive. I'm not very familiar with laptops - only owning and working with desktops myself - so I turn to this community in the hope that someone out there has changed the optical drive on their laptop and can offer some help!

I have no idea how to do it, but it should be simple enough to change. The shape is common in laptops, just do a google search for slimline dvd burner, and you'll get lots of hits. Good luck :)

Quote: Original post by Promethium
The shape is common in laptops, just do a google search for slimline dvd burner, and you'll get lots of hits. Good luck :)

My concern is that I also did some work on a Dell laptop, and checked its CD drive whilst I was at it. It was roughly the same shape and size, but the electrical connector was completely different (much larger). I notice that this site offers some drives plus an adapter that looks like it'd fit (50 pins). It seems that "slimline" is the key word, so thank you very much! [smile]

I'm rather bemused by this.

I took a screwdrive to the Dell's CD ROM drive (I'd been switching it for a DVD drive) - it appears to be little more than a standard drive with a plastic surround and a small circuit board to adapt its connector to the Dell-specific one.


The Dell CD-ROM drive is simply a Samsung drive plus an adapter and a plastic surround.

It's dated June 2000, ie it's a little older than the dodgy Toshiba drive.

When installed, the laptop doesn't boot. When switched on, a red Toshiba logo appears and usually vanishes within a couple of seconds (you can press a key to enter the BIOS settings menu). With the Dell's CD ROM drive installed, the machine never gets past this logo and you can't enter the BIOS settings (the machine is completely unresponsive - the drive makes the usual noises you get when the PC is switched on, and can be ejected - so it's at least getting power).

To my mind this does not bode well as far as finding an upgrade goes. I checked the Dell's CD ROM drive - it works happily in the Dell.

If all you want is getting the laptop working, just get another one just like the one you have. There appears to be many sellers on the internets.