Laptop DVD write kaput - Repair cost?

tsk1979 · 30th May 2009, 23:10

MY Dell Inspiron E1505 DVD writer is kaput. The laptop is 3 years old, hence its out of warranty.
So either I have to buy a new DVD writer, or get it repaired.
Can somebody let me know of a good shop in Nehru place where I can go for the repair.
If I have to get a new one, any idea how much does it cost?

SLK · 30th May 2009, 23:25

Never found laptop drives to be reliable!
A couple of times my dvd drive has started working just by rubbing the lens with a cloth.

if you use the laptop mainly at home, you car try a usb thing @ 2.5 - 3k.

aaggoswami · 31st May 2009, 00:13

Try cleaning head with isopropyl on a clean cloth.
If this does not work out, go for a USB one. Even after repairs it will not be so reliable.
So for reliability purpose, its better to get a new one.

bigman · 31st May 2009, 01:20

Just get a replacement slot-in drive. Not worth repairing but like the others have written no harm in giving the head a clean.

bigron · 31st May 2009, 02:19

Give it one of those home remedy shots otherwise just buy a new one.

moralfibre · 31st May 2009, 09:13

Go ahead and buy this - Dell Inspiron E1505 DVD ROM items on eBay.com

tsk1979 · 31st May 2009, 11:50

I have already cleaned head with Ethanol, the only difference is that now it can read CDs and DVDs, however writing is still not working, and when it starts finalizing disk, it says "Cannot finalize disk" and the disk is junk after that!

spadival · 31st May 2009, 13:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by moralfibre

Go ahead and buy this - Dell Inspiron E1505 DVD ROM items on eBay.com

I think thats CD writer/DVD read only.

Any generic slot type DVD writer can be fitted into the laptop, but DELL people have custom made plastic bezel and the plastic enclosure around the writer. Removing that and reusing it is too hard. I had a non-working DELL laptop and wanted to put the DVD writer into a generic enclosure (Like the HDD enclosures) to use as a portable DVD writer. In the end I had to saw/melt the DELL plastic bezel/enclosure off the writer.

Switch · 31st May 2009, 13:43

Buy a new one from Nehru Place. Should not cost be above 1.5-2K. Try at SMC computers. Its towards the old theater facing towards parking.

SirAlec · 31st May 2009, 17:27

Repair job of dvdr is not advisable.
Since you are in delhi call a friend, neeraj @ 9312653141, 9212092231. He is best there is for laptop. SOme other members have also benefited from him. you can give him my reference. (kenden)

deky · 31st May 2009, 19:42

I have the same problem with my Vaio. I was told that its not because that the lens is dirty its because the alignment of the lens is spoilt. On writing i get the same message "cannot finalise disk"

I was advised not the get the laptop opened and to go in for an external DVD-RW. That will be cheaper as well as more durable.

SLK · 31st May 2009, 20:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by deky

I was told that its not because that the lens is dirty its because the alignment of the lens is spoilt.

That's what EVERYBODY out there says. I've never seen some one re-align a lens to fix it.

It's actually more like lens, growning old and weak.

Regular healthy, use keeps them going for long. Over use or under use kills and heat makes them fail too.

tsk1979 · 1st June 2009, 14:03

I called up Shree computers Nehru place.
New Internal DVD drive costs 4500, and a USB one is 3500.

then I googled some and found these guys
Challans: index

They are quoting 2400 for HP or Panasonic DVD writer with 6 months warranty.

However I see that SATA DVD writers are just 1150rs or so. If I have a SATA-USB adaptor cable, can I use one of these, and simple connect as external. Power supply can be a problem though I think.

SirAlec · 1st June 2009, 15:44

Didn't you call the number above. Shree laptop is very expensive.

If you are a DIY you can buy a external casing from company like ENTER and SVB for Rs.450 and a DVR writer for 1000. Its bulky though with all those supply.

BTW i bought one made by Enter USB (without supply) from the same person mentoned above for Rs.2450.

tsk1979 · 1st June 2009, 15:47

So you are suggesting I buy a HDD SATA casing, and just put in a DVD Writer... that sounds interesting.
Whats the power requirement for these casings.. I guess around 50W?

Did you buy one from the laptopnrepair guys or shree computer? What about drivers etc., is it recognized as a generic device? Thats important because I will be using it under Linux

30th May 2009, 23:10	#1
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,695 Thanked: 23,484 Times View My Garage	Laptop DVD write kaput - Repair cost? MY Dell Inspiron E1505 DVD writer is kaput. The laptop is 3 years old, hence its out of warranty. So either I have to buy a new DVD writer, or get it repaired. Can somebody let me know of a good shop in Nehru place where I can go for the repair. If I have to get a new one, any idea how much does it cost?
	() Thanks

30th May 2009, 23:25	#2
SLK Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Nomad Posts: 1,798 Thanked: 1,417 Times	Never found laptop drives to be reliable! A couple of times my dvd drive has started working just by rubbing the lens with a cloth. if you use the laptop mainly at home, you car try a usb thing @ 2.5 - 3k.
	() Thanks

31st May 2009, 00:13	#3
aaggoswami Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vadodara Posts: 4,997 Thanked: 3,000 Times	Try cleaning head with isopropyl on a clean cloth. If this does not work out, go for a USB one. Even after repairs it will not be so reliable. So for reliability purpose, its better to get a new one.
	() Thanks

31st May 2009, 01:20	#4
bigman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NA Posts: 1,225 Thanked: 94 Times	Just get a replacement slot-in drive. Not worth repairing but like the others have written no harm in giving the head a clean.
	() Thanks

31st May 2009, 02:19	#5
bigron Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NSEW Posts: 1,308 Thanked: 2,715 Times	Give it one of those home remedy shots otherwise just buy a new one.
	() Thanks

31st May 2009, 09:13	#6
moralfibre Team-BHP Support Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: MH-12 Posts: 8,560 Thanked: 14,440 Times	Go ahead and buy this - Dell Inspiron E1505 DVD ROM items on eBay.com
	() Thanks

31st May 2009, 11:50	#7
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,695 Thanked: 23,484 Times View My Garage	I have already cleaned head with Ethanol, the only difference is that now it can read CDs and DVDs, however writing is still not working, and when it starts finalizing disk, it says "Cannot finalize disk" and the disk is junk after that!
	() Thanks

31st May 2009, 13:43	#9
Switch BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Noida, India Posts: 235 Thanked: 65 Times	Buy a new one from Nehru Place. Should not cost be above 1.5-2K. Try at SMC computers. Its towards the old theater facing towards parking.
	() Thanks

31st May 2009, 17:27	#10
SirAlec Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: zxc Posts: 3,395 Thanked: 727 Times	Repair job of dvdr is not advisable. Since you are in delhi call a friend, neeraj @ 9312653141, 9212092231. He is best there is for laptop. SOme other members have also benefited from him. you can give him my reference. (kenden)
	() Thanks

31st May 2009, 19:42	#11
deky Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Jaipur Posts: 1,194 Thanked: 1,251 Times	I have the same problem with my Vaio. I was told that its not because that the lens is dirty its because the alignment of the lens is spoilt. On writing i get the same message "cannot finalise disk" I was advised not the get the laptop opened and to go in for an external DVD-RW. That will be cheaper as well as more durable.
	() Thanks

1st June 2009, 14:03	#13
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,695 Thanked: 23,484 Times View My Garage	I called up Shree computers Nehru place. New Internal DVD drive costs 4500, and a USB one is 3500. then I googled some and found these guys Challans: index They are quoting 2400 for HP or Panasonic DVD writer with 6 months warranty. However I see that SATA DVD writers are just 1150rs or so. If I have a SATA-USB adaptor cable, can I use one of these, and simple connect as external. Power supply can be a problem though I think. Last edited by tsk1979 : 1st June 2009 at 14:07.
	() Thanks

1st June 2009, 15:44	#14
SirAlec Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: zxc Posts: 3,395 Thanked: 727 Times	Didn't you call the number above. Shree laptop is very expensive. If you are a DIY you can buy a external casing from company like ENTER and SVB for Rs.450 and a DVR writer for 1000. Its bulky though with all those supply. BTW i bought one made by Enter USB (without supply) from the same person mentoned above for Rs.2450.
	() Thanks

1st June 2009, 15:47	#15
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,695 Thanked: 23,484 Times View My Garage	So you are suggesting I buy a HDD SATA casing, and just put in a DVD Writer... that sounds interesting. Whats the power requirement for these casings.. I guess around 50W? Did you buy one from the laptopnrepair guys or shree computer? What about drivers etc., is it recognized as a generic device? Thats important because I will be using it under Linux
	() Thanks