How standard are slim optical drives ?

[Ponch]

Hi,

I got an old Acer Aspire 1362 laptop that has got a QSI (that's the brand) cd/dvd combo. It's getting noisy and hesitating when writing CDs. Now, on ebay, people most the time list a very small models of compatible computers (if any) for the slim dvd writers that they sell. I just happened to get hold of a trashed Fujitsu Lifebook S7110. I realized that I could just take the DVD burner, remove some plastic, remove a converter on the connector and pop it in my Acer an burn a DVD. Test ok ! It's a NEC drive. So my question is, a part from the overall form factor and cosmetic (facade), how standard are slim optical drives ? Are some brand doing exclusively the same compatible connector ? Are some brand compatible with each other (like here NEC and QSI). Is it most the time just a matter of (external) adaptor? Or are there tons of different connectors and am I just lucky ?

[jaclaz]

Naah, you are not "lucky" they are "standard" (of course there may be a few "exceptions", of course, but nbasically they are - apart the "plastic" all alike)

See here:

jaclaz

[puntoMX]

... but basically they are - apart the "plastic" all alike...

Big chance that the plastic front cover can be swapped as well, most just clip on.

Moving this to the appropriated forum part.

[cmos]

Hello,

because of my HP's dv9810us (dv9700) motherboard, now the ODD TS-L632N is no longer working internally , so i have to buy an adapter and i have been looking around.

And i could understand there are at least 3 kind of IDE connectors , pictures attached and links , that's all i know for now ! Could be useful knowing something more ...

link_1 slim IDE type 1

link_2 slim IDE type 2

link_3 super slim IDE

slim IDE type 1

slim IDE type 2

super slim IDE

slim_IDE.zip

l.e.: zip added

Edited April 14, 2011 by cmos

[jaclaz]

Are you joking or what?

Items #1 and #2 are the SAME thing (only difference is that one comes with a USB Y cable and one doesn't).

Item #3 is STILL the SAME thing, only, being for a SUPER-Slim drive, the actual PCB is 10 mm in height instead of 13.5 mm.

The use of ANY of the above in conjunction with a slim-line drive is allright.

The only thing you need to check is power requirement, remember that a single USB port maxes out at 500 mA.

What you should get would be INSTEAD of the connector, an actual external case for slimline drives (examples):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-com-Slimline-Optical-Drive-Enclosure/dp/B003GSCS2G

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Startech-USB-to-Slimline-SATA-CD-DVD-Optical-Drive-Enclosure-SLMSOPTB/14860262

http://www.amazon.com/External-Enclosure-Laptop-Notebook-Connector/dp/B0011TR71Y

Poorman's DYI:

http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-USB-Slimline-Optical-Drive-Enclosure/

Rest assured that the actual slim IDE connector is standard.

jaclaz

[cmos]

Hi jaclaz,

first : thanks for these links !

second : i'll go for a DIY , but recycling a HDD enclosure self-powered .

and last : to be honest, connectors #3 and #2 (seem) to be the SAME ,

(for me) #1 and #2 are not ... only if you can find the specifications , i've tried googling for 2 hours and nothing .

ps : sure i am not joking , because YOU are looking around l.e:link

have a nice time !

Edited April 14, 2011 by cmos

[jaclaz]

(for me) #1 and #2 are not ... only if you can find the specifications , i've tried googling for 2 hours and nothing .

I now see what you mean , type #1 seems like a "dual" kind of connector (with internal sockets for "pins" just like the ones used on 2.5" HDD) whilst #2 is ONLY a "slim ATAPI" one (i.e. the contacts are on the "outer edge").

ALL slimline drives I ever saw use these "outer edge connectors", compare with:

http://www.laptopparts101.com/cd-dvd-optical-drive/

But you have on your hands the actual CD/DVD drive, don't you?

The connector is actually called also "50 pin JAE" or "ATAPI-50" or "ATAPI JAE".

http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/image/10312/

The actual "code" should be: "JAE KX15-50ELD1L"

http://jae-connector.com/en/general_en.cfm?l_code=EN&series_code=KX14/KX15

http://jae-connector.com/en/pdf/2008-35-36-KX1415.pdf

Example drive (page 13):

http://www.prince-tech.com.tw/Eng/Pic/PicNdfUVp_66201.pdf

jaclaz

[cmos]

But you have on your hands the actual CD/DVD drive, don't you?

yes i do have it , it's connector #1 !

The connector is actually called also

" JAE KX15-50KLD " , i knew it .

#2

seems like a "dual" kind of connector (with internal sockets for "pins" just like the ones used on 2.5" HDD)

yes, but i suppose is not an IDE 44 pins .

If i'll have more infos i'll share with all you .

For today i had enough

[puntoMX]

I won't be helpful, but it just seems another brand connector that is more open on the front. I've never seen pins on a connector like that.

[jaclaz]

But you have on your hands the actual CD/DVD drive, don't you?

yes i do have it , it's connector #1 !

AND #2 AND #3.

Look, it's not difficult, if the actual CD/DVD has "protruding pins" it is non-standard (and possibly "type #1" will fit them), if it has connectors on the "outer edge" ALL among #1, #2 and #3 will do, as said they are ALL the same thing.

jaclaz