Is this possible: using a laptop optical drive for a desktop PC? \ VOGONS

Is this possible: using a laptop optical drive for a desktop PC?

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First post, by bjwil1991

Posted on 2018-03-27, 17:50

bjwil1991 Offline

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I don't know if this is possible or not, but, has anyone have seen or used a laptop's slimline optical drive (50-pin) in a desktop computer using the 40-pin IDE connection, preferably 50-pin slimline laptop drive to 40-pin IDE adapter with a multi-purpose bracket that has both the slimline optical drive mount and 3.5" disk or diskette on a 5.25" bay?

I would like to have a more quieter CD drive in my retro machines since the other ones are always sounding like a fight jet taking off.

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Reply 1 of 3, by dionb

Posted on 2018-03-27, 18:47

dionb Offline

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Yes.

No idea about the (custom) bracket with slimline 5.25" combined with 3.5" you propose, but the 50p slimline to 40p IDE adapter including 5.25" bracket exists and is pretty common in the (1U) server world. I have two old examples in front of me now, Dell P/N 059GDD containing an unknown CD-ROM drive (haven't figured out how to non-destructively get drive out of bracket) and P/N 036RDU containing a TEAC CD-224E (which I know because the sticker is on the bracket).

Last edited by dionb on 2018-03-27, 19:22. Edited 1 time in total.

Reply 2 of 3, by Koltoroc

Posted on 2018-03-27, 18:47

Koltoroc Offline

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you can adapters for the interface on ebay (slimline to IDE). As for drive mounts, I don't know. There are (or used to be) small form factor cases that support slimline drives out of the box.