Laptop DVD-RW Died - Replace or not?

[Skeptik]

My Pioneer DVD-RW died today on my ACER laptop. It had been struggling to read disks for some time and finally stopped altogether.

Do I replace the darned thing or buy an external one? The laptop is getting old now (few years), but it still does the job.

I'm just wondering if ACER service would put in a modern DVD-RW or the same old one?

 

[Gunny]

There replace it with the same problem ridden pioneer. rather get an external or a different brand most will fit you just need the face plate.

 

[Skeptik]

There replace it with the same problem ridden pioneer. rather get an external or a different brand most will fit you just need the face plate.

Seems the problem is well-known then.

OK, so if I go a compatible internal DVD, are all brands an option. I'd want one that doesn't give regional problems and is supported well. LG??

 

[Skeptik]

Just to update the thread: Anyone thinking of a replacement part for an older Acer laptop should think again. They want R3250 just for the new DVD writer. The technology is quite old now so that would be foolish.

I can see what you guys mean about Acer support. They answered the phone quickly, but I got passed from tech to parts and back without getting much joy. Apparently they will give me a free quote for the work, but if I decline the quote they will charge me (more joy). Also, no service dept in Cape Town!

 

[bdt]

In other news I'll be replacing my gf's erratic (dog got hold of it) cd/dvd drive in her very less-than-new Toshiba laptop with a DVDRW for < R1000.

 

[sn3rd]

Ouch
But unfortunately, that's what local distributors charge for out-of-warranty repairs... Ridiculous. And it's not just Acer

 

[.Froot.]

Just get an external DVD-RW drive. It costs around R600 and is a lot faster than a notebook's optical drive.

 

[kronoSX]

Just get an external DVD-RW drive. It costs around R600 and is a lot faster than a notebook's optical drive.

defeats the purpose
I mean a laptop is a mobile device right,there goes the mobility

 

[.Froot.]

defeats the purpose
I mean a laptop is a mobile device right,there goes the mobility

not necessarily. i use a laptop and i actually seldom make use of my dvd writer. especially when using it in a mobile fashion. and if you're really worried about super mobility, get a "compact external dvd-writer". they are about R800 or so, a lot cheaper than replacing the internal DVD writer and about the size of a cd case X 1.5cm height.

 

[Skeptik]

I went to Incredible Con and found they only had one in the entire shop - an LG GSA-E60L for R900. This is an external drive, seems to be good but bulky.

Same with Computer Mania. They only had an old Sony.

 

[howardb]

I'm not sure if it's the same with other laptop manufacturers, but when my optical drive died on my Dell (crappy TSST model), I got a totally different brand and fitted it into the Dell's plastic surround - apparently, all the laptop optical drives are the same, just their housing is different.

Maybe have a look at yours by ejecting it and seeing if it has a plastic housing around it - if so, unscrew 4-6 very small screws usually located under the housing, then pull it out from the front. You should see a standard optical laptop unit. Replace this with anything you like - I went for a Lite-on / Sony which had very good reviews. You can remove the faceplate and use the old one if needed. I paid very little from the eBay USA and it works perfectly.

Have you got pictures of your unit - top, bottom, sides, front and back?

 

[JohnnyQ]

If you are in Cape Town or surrounds i can point you in the right direction, to have it replaced with an internal. PM me.

 

[talon]

If you are having trouble with a notebook optical drive, first try cleaning the lens. Often gets fingerprints or dirt on it. Solves most read/write errors