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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.
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
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.
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?
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.
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 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 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
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.
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 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