EggXpert

THe DVD/CD RW drive in my laptop died recently.  Have been scouring all the forums and websites that I can find to confirm appropriate replacement drive as this model is now 3 years old (SONY DW-D56A).  Apparently, this drive has an abyssmal performance history, so I don't want to buy a refurb from Dell (which was the only solution their Support people offered).

Can anyone suggest a replacement drive with a decent warranty/ not too expensive?  Obviously, I need a slim-line with a 50 bit IDE connector.  Problem is - all of the current models (SONY/NEC Optiarc, Samsung, Phillips) that I am seeing on the web have the connector on the right side (back) of the drive and mine is on the left.  Appreciate any suggestions you can offer.  Thanks, E

You might look for something like a Matshita drive.  Give me a bit and I'll try to find what I'm looking for and edit this post.

 

After a little looking, Sony oem'ed this drive from Matshita Panasonic (model Matshita UJ-810).  A suitable replacement looks to be the NEC ND6650A. 

Does this link show the picture that looks like the back of your current drive? http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/netcomdirect_2021_17834673

 

 

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1B3GGGL_enUS292US292&q=NEC+ND6650A&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=1938360677610022909&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&resnum=6&ct=result#ps-sellers

The above link shows some places you can obtain this drive.  Double check though to make sure the connectors are the same, etc.  Like you said, it has connectors on one side that is different from other drives you have looked at.  

As I find more info., I'll edit this post.

thanks for the reply.  the NEC ND6650A and the 7530B were the two that i was considering, but unfortunately the connector appears to be on the opposite side of the drive.  mine is about 3/4" from the far left.  the photo link you sent (and the other posts i've seen) show that the NEC drives have the connectors on the right side of the drive.  i fear that this may be a fluke with the Dell 700 and 710 series as these were the first ultra-lights for Dell. looks like i might be stuck but am grateful for the help should you run across any more details!  thanks, E