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This illustrated guide explains how you can replace the optical drive (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD-RW) on a Toshiba Satellite A50 or A55 laptop. Both models are the same, so disassembly steps will be the same too.
UPDATE: The page I was linking to is gone. You can use a guide for Tecra A2 posted at www.irisvista.com/tech/ it’s similar to Satellite M55. I posted drive removal and replacement instructions in the comment 12.
The author says:
Make sure that front panel of new DVD-ROM / DVD-RW (next will be mentioned as DVD-ROM) is approximately similar to old one.
I would say it has to be exactly the same, not just approximately similar. Even though all front panels look the same, they might be different mounting point, so make sure the new drive comes with the front panel.
The author says:
Insert paper clip to emergency hole (F) in order to eject DVD-ROM. Carefully remove DVD-ROM from the notebook.
Yes, you can open the optical drive with a paper clip and then carefully pull if from the laptop, but I don’t think it’s necessary. After you lift up the keyboard, as it shown on the step 5, and remove the screw E securing the optical drive, as it shown on the step 6, you can push the optical drive from the laptop with a screwdriver without opening it with a paper clip.
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, take a look at this disassembly guide (step 13). I wrote this guide for a Tecra A2 laptop and it’s similar to Satellite A50/A55.
The best way to find a new replacement optical drive for you laptop is searching by the part number. Usually you can find the part number on the old defective optical drive and it looks something like that: P000417120
If you install a wrong optical drive, you can get IDE error message after the replacement.
Find the part number and google for it. If you have a Toshiba laptop purchased in the United States and cannot locate the part number for your optical drive, leave a comment with the laptop model and laptop part number and I’ll help you to find the part number for you optical drive.
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April 12th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Hello,
Thank you for mentioning my article here!
About your comment:
>> I would say it has to be exactly the same, not just approximately similar. Even though all front panels look the same, they might be different mounting point, so make sure the new drive comes with the front panel.
I halfly agree and halfly not.
What I meant with front panel here is front panel / outside panel of the drive, not picture with G.
I believe that slim optical should have the same form factor (just like DVD-ROM in desktop and harddisk) except the front panel (to have different style on notebook). And except laptop manufacture order special request.
About different mounting point, it is usually handled by piece of connector (like G in picture).
That’s why I mention front panel is approximate similar to old one. Of course, it’s better to have exactly the same.
Well, it’s not so easy to find exactly the same model in some countries.
Please correct me if I’m wrong.
PS: I put some new pictures showing after replacement.
>> Yes, you can open the optical drive with a paper clip and then carefully pull if from the laptop, but I don’t think it’s necessary.
Yes, you’re right about it. But I prefer to use paper clip method. I could have mistake to damage another component if I was not careful to push drive with screwdriver. In my personal opinion, it’s safer to pull out the driver. Anyway, there are many ways to Rome.
Thanks again!
Best regards,
TwoAce
December 15th, 2008 at 11:03 am
I need to replace my DVD combo drive in my Toshiba Tecra A2. The existing CMOS setting info says Primary IDE for the internal hard drive and
Secondary IDE for the internal DVD drive.
Do you have any suggestions as to what drive(s) would work “out of the box” without flashing.
I understand that new DVD slimline drives come set as Master. From the above, that looks OK to me but….
I am thinking about getting this one from NewEgg:
Sony NEC Optiarc 12.7mm Slim 8X DVD±R Burner Black E-IDE(ATAPI) Model AD-7590A-01 – OEM for about $50. According to the reviews it can be flashed for various IDE settings including CSEL-High that is required on some Toshibas.
Thanks for offering help and will appreciate your response.
John in Miami
December 15th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Jackie,
If your laptop was purchased in the United States and you can provide the laptop model number from the sticker on the bottom, I can look up Toshiba part numbers for compatible CD/DVD drive. After that you’ll be able to search for a new drive by the part number.
December 17th, 2008 at 4:44 am
The part number of my Toshiba Tecra A2is:
PTA20U-0SZ07
Hopefully this is the model number you can use. It is the only number that relates to the whole laptop.
Thanks,
Jackie in Miami
December 17th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Jackie,
That’s exactly what I was asking for but I didn’t find PTA20U-0SZ07. The closest one is PTA20U-0SZ027. I guess you missed one digit.
Here are Toshiba part numbers for compatible CD/DVD drives:
P000385450 – Panasonic drive.
P000397930 – Hitachi drive.
P000401730 – Toshiba drive.
P000417120 – Panasonic drive.
All drives are interchangeable.
December 18th, 2008 at 7:29 am
Wow!! You even guessed the missing digit correctly!
I usually pretty good about such details but this time I did miss that one digit. I just checked to confirm your perfect guess.
I know how to search the world wide internet to find these models, and on eBay too. I will be doing this today. Thank you so much.
But I am still interested in the DVD burner that I listed in my first post above as an upgrade from the original ComboDVD. Reviews on NewEgg say that this particular one can be flashed to the IDE setting required by Toshiba. I am wondering if you would be able to tell me what the required ide setting is on my particular model. I’ve searched but can’t find it.
I have a few of these laptops and the upgrade to a DVD burner is attractive. That said, I will still be getting one of the above to be sure that I won’t run into configuration problems. Thanks to your help.
Jackie in Miami
December 18th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Jackie,
I don’t know if this drive will work with your laptop. It’s hard to guess until you try.
Possible problems:
1. The front bezel could be larger than the original one and the drive will not fit into the laptop bay.
2. The drive will not work after you flash it.
Most likely it will work with original settings but I had to mention that.
December 21st, 2008 at 4:43 am
Thanks again. Since this is my first experience with changing an optical drive in a laptop, I have ordered a one having one of the Tosh. part numbers you have recommended. I am heeding your cautions.
January 27th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Do you have a replacement part number for this CD/DVD combo? I am looking for options other than the exact replacement.
Toshiba satellite M55-s1001 part psm53u-02h00x
January 28th, 2009 at 8:14 am
Dennis,
There are three different DVD/CD-RW combo drives listed for a Satellite M55 with that model number. Here they are:
K000034420, K000031970, K000031980
All three drives are interchangeable so you can use either one.
January 29th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Alas I can not find your wonderful illustrated guide. What is the new link for it?
Thank you so much.
January 29th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Tom Lent,
I guess the site I linked to is gone.
You can use instructions for taking apart a Tecra A2 laptop at http://www.irisvista.com/tech/ because his model is very similar to Satellite M55.
In order to remove or replace the CD/DVD drive you’ll have to go through the following steps in the guide:
STEP 1. Power off the laptop and remove the battery.
STEP 7. Remove only one screw securing the DVD drive, do not remove all other screws. The CD/DVD screw is on the left side, the third from the top.
STEP 8-10. Remove the keyboard.
STEP 11. Remove one screw securing the CD/DVD drive under the keyboard. The one which on the right side.
STEP 13. Push the drive from the laptop and replace it with a new one.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:22 am
Hi:
I cant find nothing about a new optical drive for mi toshiba satellite A50-522. I need to change to
The PSA50E-02U03DSP is the part number of the laptop.
The part number of de optical drive is:
g8cc00015210
Serial: 4hcha225065 tj6-a
Model UJ-820B
Can you h
elp me?
April 1st, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Daniel,
It’s a European model and I don’t have an access parts for this one, but I think you can use the following drives.
CD-RW/DVD drives: P000385450, P000397930, P000401730, P000417120.
DVD+-R/+-RW/RAM drives (Super Multi drive): P000399450, P000402460.
These are drive for Satellite A50/A55 laptops sold in the USA. Most likely they will work for your laptop too.
May 4th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
would you mind looking up an optical drive number for this computer?
Thanks very much
Toshiba satellite A85-S107
PSA82U-00R004 I think they are zeros
May 4th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Ron B,
Sure I can help. There are many optical drives listed for this model. They are all DVD/CD-RW Combo Drives.
Here are part numbers: K000024100, K000021290, K000031510, K000031420, K000029570, K000037970, K000031430. You can use either one.
Google the part number and find what you like.
July 14th, 2009 at 3:57 am
I need to replace the optical drive (original CD-RW DVD ) on my Toshiba A45-S121 laptop . Any differences in R&R for the procedure from the original post ? Part# ? Any other information/links on using the Sony Optiarc from Newegg or other generic drive on this machine is appreciated ?
Thanks- Pete
July 14th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Pete,
I don’t remember this model off the top of my head by I believe all you have to do is remove two screws from the bottom and pull the drive from the laptop.
Check out this photo.
August 1st, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Hi,
My optical drive isn’t working on my laptop and I was wondering if you could help me
find what models I could use to replace it. My laptop is a Toshiba Satellite A205-S5843 and I tried looking for the model number on the optical drive but couldn’t tell where it was.
Thanks,
Alex
August 24th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Do you know where I could find information for English parts? like the other Dan on this forum I’m looking for an optical drive that has a part number starting with G, G8CC0002t520 . its bought in england this laptop.the toshiba satellite pro A120 it is. I’ve been messing around for ages trying to get other drives and flash them to master (IDE settings) but have decided to give up and try and get the same drive again! can’t find anything on ebay so I’m looking for a compatible drive.
Much thanks,
Dan Gent
September 8th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Hi – My laptop optical drive isn’t working. My computer is the Toshiba Satellite A205 s4777 can you tell me what parts may work as replacements? Thank you,
Drew
September 8th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Drew S,
First of all, you’ll have to find out if your problem is related to the drive itself or software. Find a bootable CD and try booting the laptop from that CD.
1. Insert the bootable CD into the drive. Windows installation CD is a bootable CD. Toshiba recovery disc is a bootable DVD. You can use either one for this test.
2. Restart the laptop and press F12 as soon as Toshiba logo appears on the screen.
3. Select CD/DVD optical drive and press enter.
If the laptop boots from a CD but the optical drive will not work in Windows, most likely you have a problem with software.
1. Delete CD/DVD drive entry in the device manager. Restart the laptop and let it redetect the drive.
2. Try reinstalling Windows from scratch.
November 18th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Can I inquire about the part numbers for A205-S5803 part # PSAF3U-0P8015?
Thanks in advance.
November 18th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Bobby,
I guess you are asking about the optical drive, correct?
Here are part numbers for drives you can use: V000100700, V000100710, V000100850, V000101190, V000101200, V000102040, V000102290.
You can use either one, they all double layer DVD burners.
Here are instructions for a Satellite A205 laptop: http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/toshiba-satellite-a205/laptop-disassembly-1.htm
DVD drive removal instructions are shown in Step 3.
January 4th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
I need help in find the part number for a toshiba sattellite l355 dvd drive. model PSLD0U-00800X
January 4th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Tiffany,
It would be helpful to know which part you are looking for.
If you are talking about the CD/DVD drive you can use one of the following: V000120910, V000120920, V000120930, V000121710. They all are double layer DVD super multi drives. You can use either one.