Laptop repair question

[AlGore-08.com]

I have an older IBM lap top that works perfectly except that the built in CD drive does not work. It can't read the CDs. I think the motor that turns the CDs is busted, but it may be something else.

I'm going to replace it anyway, but I'm wondering whether it's possible to repair the CD drive - - and what would be a reasonable price for that kind of repair? If it's fairly easy and cheap, I want to repair it, upgrade the software and give it to one of the many kids in the extended family to use at college.

If it's hopeless, then I'll donate it to a charity as it is, because there are millions of people who could use any computer that works.

[happyending]

1. As I understand it,

parts can be replaced in a laptop.

I had one that was broken, it has an HP, and for that reason my guy did not want to work on it. But, perhaps, an IBM CD drive can be replaced. Sorry for the fragmentary nature of this reply. I've replaced parts on my PC but never on a laptop.

[Don_G]

2. Replacing The Drive Shouldn't Be Much Trouble

You might want to check eBay to see if the drive is available and for how much. Otherwise a cheap "stand-alone" CD burner would work and they are also available on eBay.

[lanparty]

4. Not for the faint of heart ...

Working on notebooks is not for the faint of heart. If he doesn't know how to diagnose the problem, he probably won't feel good about installing a new notebook drive.

EVERY notebook system is proprietary and assembling/dissassembling them is like working a jigsaw puzzle.

[lanparty]

3. No ...

In general, computer parts are simply discarded and replaced.

But it is possible that the read head in the drive is dirty. If your drive actually TRIES to spin when you insert a disc, go to your local office store and pick up a CD-ROM drive cleaner.

Just pop the baby in for a while. It should clean automatically.

If the drive shows ZERO signs of movement, don't bother. Just replace it.

[disgruntled_goat]

5. possible yes

I have a circa 97 thinkpad, a 300MHz model. I have replaced both the floppy drive and the CD Rom on it at different times.

I haven't needed to repair it since about 2001, so i don't remember how much I paid for the various drives, but I doubt the floppy was more than $30, and I doubt I would have paid much more than $100 for the CD ROM replacement.

IIRC, I just bought the replacement parts online, then installed them myself. it was reasonably easy considering these caveats:
1) for a number of years i was a PC and laptop repair specialist. I really know my way around certain hardware.
2) unbelievably small screws were involved. nothing less than jeweler-sized screwdrivers will work.

if you do it yourself, pay close attention to how stuff is aligned as you take it apart, and you stand a good chance of success.

good luck, and thinkpads RULE!

feel free to PM :)

[lpbk2713]

6. Is it possible that at some point in time the hard drive

had been formatted and/or the OS had been reinstalled? If so it's possible that you may not have the right driver for your CD drive installed.

[welshTerrier2]

7. possible replacement

check this out: http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=220551