Dell Insprion 510m laptop Sony CD drive - is it broken?

[lisamclisa]

I have a Dell inspiron 510m Sony DVD+-RW DW-D56A in a UK version (not sure if it makes a difference but thought I’d mention that) it’s fairly new only since April 2005 - but sadly that means its just out of warranty - grr! It was working fine no problems at all and I’ve always treated it gently and not been rough with it but one day it just stopped whilst copying a CD onto my laptop - got 6 tracks in and started making funny noise like its loading but it didn't stop. I stopped it and now since that day it won't recognise anything you put in it - not DVDs not CDs, blank or CD-ROMs included it just makes this loading like sound bit like clicking but more loading like (hard to describe - am hoping you know what I mean!) and that’s that. Is there anything I can do or should i get a new one? Does anyone know how much that would be in pounds? Would it be cheaper to get an external one instead and just plug it in when I need it (not often mainly for putting songs from CD onto my MP3)? Any suggestions gratefully received! Thanks Lisa

[Ulukai]

It sounds like the laser is broken or might need a recalibration of some sorts. I dunno how you can salvage that other then maybe buy a new writer. Nec has a portable writer that should fit in your Dell. I saw in another post 2 portable writers mentioned, search on inspiron and nec and you might find it. Cheers

[SirQUK]

http://www.svp.co.uk have some writers that will fit your laptop with the pioneer being my preference. What was the brand of media that this writer failed on ( i have found certan brands have destroyed a couple of my writers! )

[lisamclisa]

I was copying my Massive Attack 'collected' greatest hits cd for my MP3 player - don't know if that counts as a media! So its looking like a new player... always the way when its out of warranty! Forgive me for being thick... but when you say 'will fit your laptop' do you mean internally or externally? I don't mind an external one as i don't use it all that often - mainly just to transfer my cds to mp3 and perhaps burning the odd file to cd, however it would be neater and less easily damaged if i get an internal one. Decisive aren't i! Should i replace with same brand? as it didn't last that long i'd rather not but you never know! How can i tell if they are compatible with my one? or are all internal cd rom drives compatible? (wishful thinking methinks!) I'll check out those links - thanks Lisa x

[SirQUK]

SVP do two drives that will fit internally into your laptop but you can always email them to make double sure. They are very helpful.

[lisamclisa]

Thanks very much for replying so fast I tried the filters thing but the file came back no filters for either type so that can't be it and i downloaded Anydvd but couldn't find a search function so gave up and uninstalled it - i think probably if it were a copy protection issue, that it wouldn't affect just playing it legally and its all and every cd and dvd that i've got this problem with (have tried lots! ) So i'm thinking its probably the laser thing is busted and as i need my CDrom drive (gotta load up my theory test cdrom as about to take it in 2 weeks! so i'm going to bite the bullet and buy one. One (hopefully last!) question - when i looked at this one that you recommended: http://svp.co.uk/products-solo.php?pid=1194 and removed my drive to compare the connections on the two - mine had its connector in the middle - all the ones on SPV have them on the end as you see on the picture. Does this mean its incompatible with mine? i looked inside the cavity in the laptop and there is another connector on that side - but not sure if that means that they'll automatically be compatible! Thanks for being so helpful and i will email the SPV people as well to hopefully get one ordered asap. Cheers! Lisa x

[SirQUK]

It should fit a wide variety of laptops. I think SVP will say the same but wait for the educated reply:)

[Ulukai]

I have looked at the pictures on SVP and compared them Dell Latitude C and D series laptop connections, they have the same connector. It should fit for Inspiron as well, but please do check before buying.

[lisamclisa]

Just to let you guys know, i emailed SVP (yeah i know it took a while to get round to it!) and they said that the pioneer DVR-K16 will work fine on my laptop so yay! Am going to order today! Thanks for all your help and support with this, been nice to get some help cos i know nothing about such matters and will recommend you guys to the people i know who might have similar probs! Thanks again! Have fun! Lisa

[SirQUK]

recomendations are always welcome Lisa !

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