 Would You Spend Money To Replace An Optical Disk Drive On An Older Laptop?, Should I spend money to replace an optical drive? |
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 Jun 13 2008, 12:48 AM
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 Member  Group: Members Posts: 87 Joined: 1-July 06 Member No.: 74,187  |
The thing is, I don't want to install it myself since I've never worked on a laptop and personally wuldn't want to risk ruining it from replacing a DVD drive, when I could just buy an external one. (I normally use it as a desktop replacement). So would you spend money on a computer shop to install the optical drive in my laptop? Not sure what their procedure is on labor for that. The only reasons I woouldn't is because of the age of the laptop, and the money used for labor, I could buy a faster DVD -/+ RW external one. Thanks for the opioninos! PS. It's a 17inch Inspiron with 2 GB RAM, 1.7GH single processor, 80GB hard drive, XP, and still runs great (thanks to bleeping). 256 GEForce Go video card. |
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Jun 13 2008, 08:37 AM
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#2
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 Who is running the store? Group: Members Posts: 1,847 Joined: 26-November 05 From: Tampa Bay Area, Florida, USA Member No.: 42,052 |
Which exact model is it, Bernie70?
Since you have a replacment, did you get instructions on how to install it? If you have all of that, and you don't want to try it yourself, I'd take the instructions to a reputable PC shop and ask them what their installation charge would be. I suspect it will only be their 1 hour labor charge, but I'm not sure, as some may take longer. If it is only 1 hour labor, I'd say go for it since you imply the laptop is working for you just fine otherwise. --------------------  I know you think you understand what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant! |
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Jun 13 2008, 09:17 AM
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#3
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 Feed me some spyware! Group: Members Posts: 4,491 Joined: 18-July 04 From: USA Ware Shoals SC Member No.: 1,500 |
Getting someone else to do it will cost like 80 bucks.
Doing it yourself will take 15-20 minutes and is super simple. These drives are held on by one screw or two on the actual drive housing and they slide out and the new one slides back in. Just get the proper screw driver and start taking out the screws around the bottom of the case and pull the back case off. Do a search on the internet with your model for a pictorial guide for doing this. You might find one. -------------------- The fool says in his heart,"There is no God."They are corrupt, and their ways are vile;there is no one who does good. (Psalm 14:1; 53:1)
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork" (Psalms 19:1) If you were to die today where would you go? Learn how to go to heaven today click here! Come check out my new blog!! -Austin Z If we are what we eat then I am fried,greasy and 99 cents.(nah I eat healthy most of the time) |
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Jun 13 2008, 10:30 AM
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#4
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 Forum Addict Group: HJT Team Posts: 2,350 Joined: 13-September 04 From: SE Wisconsin, US Member No.: 2,698 |
CGM3 is correct here. On all the Dells laptops I've seen, it's take out one screw, release the lock, slide out the old, slide in the new. Put lock screw back in if you wish.
If you post the Inspiron model, I'm sure someone can point you to the correct page in the online service manual. -------------------- Derfram
~~~~~~ If I have been of help, please consider a donation to the Humane Animal Welfare Society or your local equivalent. |
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Jun 13 2008, 03:35 PM
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#5
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 Computer Masochist Group: Moderator Posts: 6,354 Joined: 27-January 07 From: Cleveland, Ohio Member No.: 108,618 |
If portability isn't a must:
http://www.newegg.com/Product $20.00 and $30.00 for a DVD drive -------------------- Mark
 why won't my laptop work? Having grandkids is God's way of giving you a 2nd chance because you were too busy working your butt off the 1st time around Avatar by Handplane |
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Jun 13 2008, 08:43 PM
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#6
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 Bleeping Hacker Group: BC Advisor Posts: 1,879 Joined: 14-April 04 From: Texas Member No.: 151 |
If you know how to use a screwdriver and Google it will save you
some money. This Inspiron has 3 screws to remove the drive: http://www.bixnet.com/in2626opdrin.html -------------------- |
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Jun 14 2008, 04:37 PM
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#7
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Member Group: Members Posts: 87 Joined: 1-July 06 Member No.: 74,187 |
Thanks everyone for your replies. I really appreciate it. I looked at the online manual on the DELL website and was surprised at how easy it looked. After following all of the safety precautions, I proceeded to replace the optical drive.
one screw and a "plastic scribe" later to push the drive out, and I was set. The questionable drive was in my hand. Holy Moly, I thought to myself. After putting the replacement in, I turned on the computer, and the laptop recognized it right away. It read a Brain Games disk and wrote data on a CD. I guess I'm all set! Thanks again. Bernie |
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Jun 14 2008, 05:14 PM
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#8
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Who is running the store? Group: Members Posts: 1,847 Joined: 26-November 05 From: Tampa Bay Area, Florida, USA Member No.: 42,052 |
 Good for you. -------------------- I know you think you understand what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant! |
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Jun 14 2008, 10:07 PM
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#9
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Bleeping Hacker Group: BC Advisor Posts: 1,879 Joined: 14-April 04 From: Texas Member No.: 151 |
 Now it's time to rebuild that pesky transmission that's been slipping. 
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