Help! Need replacement Lens for laptop dvd/cd Rw drive?

[Juliew1980]

My laptop- a HP Pavilion zv6000, has decided to play up! It will play cd's and dvd's, but "judders". I think it needs a new laser lens? I have tried cleaning the lens but that doesn't help. If there is anyone with technical knowledge that may have another idea, please, please please help!!!

Thanks so much Peeps!!

Ju

[GSte]

Don't know anything about repairing dvd drives, the 'laser class 2 product, do not open' warning sticker puts me off!

You can buy new dvd drives for lappys though, fitted one for my brother a few weeks ago:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...Thumbnails=yes

Could be tricky getting one to match your laptop, although you could probably just swap the fascias over. Good luck anyway.

[peterb]

I'd be more inclined to suspect a software problem - has anything been changed recently? What operating system are you using?

[Funkstar]

I doubt you will be able to repair a DVD drive. If you were to replace the lens unit, i would guess you would need the exact same one as before to match the laser driver electronics. Chances of finding this and performing the replacement successfully? Slim to none.

You might also find that the lptop has a custom shaped drive. i think a lt of them can be replaces with off the shelf drives if you replace some of the plastic casing etc, but not all of them.

[Juliew1980]

No software changed recently, but Lappy sustained a slight knock about a week before it started playing up-makes me guess it cos of that!

[peterb]

No software changed recently, but Lappy sustained a slight knock about a week before it started playing up-makes me guess it cos of that!

Ah - that does point to the possibility of mechanical damage! how old is the laptop? Presumably not under warranty.

You could ask HP for a quote to replace it (expensive!) ask them for the cost of a replacement drive and fit it yourself, or take a chance and buy a replacement laptop drive from a retailer (like Scan) and again fit it yourself. If you go the latter route, it would be worth looking at the drive in the laptop first to see if it is a 'standard' part and not an HP special. If it is, then you are stuck with getting the exact HP part.

[Juliew1980]

Thanks people. I'm hoping to get it to a shop next week to have it looked and and keeping everything crossed that it is fixable. if not i'll take one of the routes you advised as it has just gone out of warrany-typical!!!!

Thanks again!

[Funkstar]

good luck with it

If it isn't going to be possible or practical to repair, you could always get an external writer.

[Agent]

Thanks people. I'm hoping to get it to a shop next week to have it looked and and keeping everything crossed that it is fixable. if not i'll take one of the routes you advised as it has just gone out of warrany-typical!!!!

Thanks again!

Changing the drive is a matter of removing 2 (or so) screws, pulling it out, pushing the new one in, and rescrewing it back in.
A shop will charge you a fortune. We can guide you through the lot if you want

[peterb]

Changing the drive is a matter of removing 2 (or so) screws, pulling it out, pushing the new one in, and rescrewing it back in.
A shop will charge you a fortune. We can guide you through the lot if you want

Not necessarily on a laptop - it could (probably will) involve splitting the case (not always straightforward) and the drive could be a bespoke HP component.

Neither of those are insurmountable problems, but it might be worth getting a quote from a shop as that will be less hassle, and if it goes wrong, they are liable.

Dismantling isn't a problem, it is dismantling it in a way that allows it to be reassembled - if there are hidden plastic catches, they need to be prised apart carefully.

I have just had a look at my daughter's HP Pavillion - there doesn't seem to be any hidden clips - there are at least 9, possibly 10 small screws on the bottom - I haven't removed any of the component covers or battery to see if there are any there.

It probably will be straightforward - but you never know until you start. If you go the self repair route, see what the drive is like before you order a replacement. Then yopu can tell if it a standard laptop drive or an HP OEM device.

[Agent]

Thats very weird Peter; All laptops ive dealt with in the last few years (no HP's though ) have all been the basic few screws and pull out type. I wasn't even aware they were building them into units like that anymore!

Thanks for the info!

[GSte]

Julie could get a picture of the laptop up here and we could tell her then if it were possible or not.... I also hate the amount computer shops charge people for what are often simple, quick jobs using cheap parts. A dude charged my friend's mum £160 for fitting a £28 mobo last year, and stole her graphics card while he was at it!

[peterb]

Thats very weird Peter; All laptops ive dealt with in the last few years (no HP's though ) have all been the basic few screws and pull out type. I wasn't even aware they were building them into units like that anymore!

Thanks for the info!

true, most laptops I have had to dismantle have been OK - but a couple have been pigs! The HP looks OK, but until you start!...! I'll have anothere look at my daughter's HP tonight (if she is still away ) but I'm pretty sure the case will need to be split to remove the drive.

Julie could get a picture of the laptop up here and we could tell her then if it were possible or not.... I also hate the amount computer shops charge people for what are often simple, quick jobs using cheap parts. A dude charged my friend's mum £160 for fitting a £28 mobo last year, and stole her graphics card while he was at it!

I agree! far rather do it myself if it is possible!

[Juliew1980]

I must say all you lot are absolute stars-and i thank you all very much. If you want me to put some pictures up I'll get that done for you as soon as i can.
Thanks again!!

[Agent]

Hi

Ive made a short video for you here , showing how easy it is on most laptops.
You'll have to have a look at yours to see if its the same

edit - If the above link doesnt work, go to http://www.adrian-gurney.com/gallery...=453&g2_page=2 and choose the file called "cddrive"

[Funkstar]

good little vido that

What's the model number of your HP Julie? we can do some digging.