DVD writer

[swampydrill]

I have an Acer travelmate 4050 series laptop whereby the DVD writer is knackered, it has had a fair bit obuse over the last 3 years so has not done badly, the drive is a sosw-852s which is IDE, can i just order an internal IDE dvd writer afor a notebook and replace it or is there more i need to find out first, also is it easy enough to change, i have changed the ones in my main pc ok.

 

[Softus]

Whilst all optical drives tend to be the same width, they're not all the same height, and the bezels don't all mount in the same manner.

Your best course of actions is to replace like with like.

 

[TheOriginalTonkaToy]

Another option would be to consider using an external USB writer if you're not confident with ordering the replacement and fitting it.

 

[eyeofthebeholder]

I would also suggest getting an external USB unit. At least then you could get a dual layer writer if you wish.

 

[Doc Lenny]

Should be easy enough to change, usually a screw holding it in place (although you may have to open the casing). You should be able to pick up one off a well known auction website for less than £40.