I have an old Advent 7094 Laptop (which was running Windows XP) which is only fit for recycling now. It has a perfectly functional DVD drive however, and I was wondering if it would be possible to remove it and install it in a caddy case which could then be plugged into a usb port on another pc (Windows 10). If this can be done what are the problems I would have to look out for?
Do you mean this kind of thing or an enclosure type. I havent used one of these , surprised it can deliver enough power.
This one has two usb connectors
Xiatiaosann 2 PCS USB to 7+6 13Pin Slimline SATA, Dual USB 2.0 Type-A to Slim SATA for Laptop CD/DVD ROM Optical Drive Adapter Cable 45cm : Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories
USB to Sata DVD Burner CD ROM Adapter Converter Cable for Laptop Optical Drive : Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories
USB Adapter PC 6P 7P CD DVD Rom SATA To USB 2.0 Converter Slimline Sata 13 Pin Adapter Drive Cable For PC Laptop Notebook|Computer Cables & Connectors| - AliExpress
Hi S1W2,
This sort of thing might do but what I really had in mind was a cabinet type of thing which would give some protection to the drive
Similar in UK Amazon,
ACAMPTAR USB 3.0 Mobile External Case For 12.7mm SATA CD DVD BD-ROM BD-RE Drive BK Useful: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories
Edit, check connection as it might be IDE.
SASHTECH External CD DVD Drive USB 2.0 Portable To IDE Laptop Silver RW Rom – External Caddy Case Enclosure Cover – With Protective Hard Case (Black) : Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories
Last edited by Fabler2; 05 Nov 2021 at 06:26. Reason: more info
Might as well go the extra tenner and get the whole thing which comes with a c connector as well
CD Drive, External CD ROM DVD Drive CD DVD Burner Optical Drive for Laptop Portable USB Disk Drive Disc Reader, Compatible with Laptop Desktop PC Windows Linux OS Apple Mac : Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories
You should consider the 15 years risk of exposure to dust & airborne grime on the lens.
- If the DVD caddy is significantly cheaper than a complete USB-connected external DVD drive then you might consider it worthwhile.
- If you do get the caddy & the unit does eventually start playing up by working with CDs but not DVDs, you could try cleaning the lens with a spectacles cloth or, more drastically, isopropyl alcohol [often sold as tape head cleaner] to get another year or two's life out of it [as I did for quite some time].
- I also tried to clean the lens using a 'Lens Cleaner CD' but that achieved nothing at all so it was back to the isopropyl alcohol for me.
I used my own complete USB-connected external DVD drive this morning for the first time in, at least, six months.
- So much can now be done better with USB sticks & USB-connected external hard drives that the usefulness of DVD drives has slumped.
- I've still got a box of about 50 unused DVD±RWs that I just cannot find a useful purpose for.
- Rewriteable DVDs [DVD±RW], just for example, are notoriously unreliable whereas USB sticks & external HDDs are extremely reliable.
- I used to expend a lot of effort rescuing backups from DVD±RWs that could no longer be written to or sometimes even read from completely.
- Rewriteable DVDs [DVD±RW] have also become, in general, more expensive [per GB] than USB sticks & external HDDs.
- USB sticks & external HDDs do not snap in half when you accidentally sit on them.
All the best,
Denis
Hi there
OT but still worth considering
Why not run that old laptop as a NAS type server running Linux -- then you could easily share the DVD via networking with other computers.
Linux NAS servers can run on quite limited hardware -- you don't need mega fast speeds for file sharing. I'm always loathe to junk old kit unless I really have to.
Cheers
jimbo
Thanks for all your suggestions. I think the motherboard has gone on the laptop so resurrecting it as a whole is a no no. Buying a complete external DVD drive is sort of defeating my objective here which is to reuse the existing DVD drive. It has been kept in clean undisturbed conditions so hopefully has not accumulated too much dust. If I buy an enclosure or a set of connection leads (much cheaper) how can I tell if my unit is SATA or IDE, see attached photo?
Hello, that looks like a special connector for that laptop. IDE would have two rows of pins and sata two "L" shaped plastic parts. I have had a quick look online and cannot find an adapter for that drive, assuming it's a HL-DT-ST DVD-RW GWA-4082N. If you can find a connector / adapter for it, I wouldn't worry too much about an enclosure. As long as it isn't disturbed during use or loaded with a disk, DVD drives are quite durable in my experience, even from a laptop.Thanks for all your suggestions. I think the motherboard has gone on the laptop so resurrecting it as a whole is a no no. Buying a complete external DVD drive is sort of defeating my objective here which is to reuse the existing DVD drive. It has been kept in clean undisturbed conditions so hopefully has not accumulated too much dust. If I buy an enclosure or a set of connection leads (much cheaper) how can I tell if my unit is SATA or IDE, see attached photo
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