Slimline DVD drive in Desktop (Acer G3-605 tower)

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mykalcook

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My name is Michael and I work for a computer shop. I have a customer who is interested in purchasing a particular computer that we have on our floor. However, the technician who put it on the floor did not hook up the DVD drive. Upon closer inspection, it appears to be a regular laptop sized slimline DVD drive. The technician had to replace the original motherboard and power supply, so those connections were no longer available, but the customer really liked this computer - he just wants the DVD drive to work. So, the thing is that I tried to take it apart to put in a regular DVD drive, however the chassis is actually much thinner than a standard desktop, and the space where a "5+" drive goes can only hold the slimline DVD drive. I purchased an adapter to get the drive to work but it still does not work. I suppose it may either have something to do with the adapter itself, or the replacement motherboard firmware. What I don't understand however, is that when I ported the drive and several others for testing to a different computer, that computer also did not detect them in the BIOS.

I was thinking maybe I could just sell the customer an external DVD drive, but I know he did not like that idea. At any rate, this guy is pretty intent on buying this computer, but only if the drive works. I've thought about replacing the chassis and putting all of the hardware into a different case altogether, but I'm fairly certain that he won't be interested if it's not the package he liked. I'd really like to know how I might be able to get this thing to work, so if anyone has any experience in getting slimline DVD drives to work on a desktop that doesn't support them out of the box, let me know. I actually think it's a really neat idea considering smaller form factors are gaining traction and popularity these days, so if I learn something from this I may apply it to future builds.

- Michael C.
 
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The problem was the adapter, but since the drive wasn't loaded with Windows, it didn't recognize it in device/disk management. Reinstalling the operating system got it working. Thanks for your help King
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mykalcook

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it's a tray loading drive. any laptop released after 2010 until they recently stopped installing them would be the same kind of drive that goes into this one. i managed to get this adapter...

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200470&ignorebbr=1&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC-_-pla-_-Hard+Drive+Adapters-_-N82E16812200470&gclid=Cj0KEQiA5vXEBRChycOl36LPn5EBEiQAJV2-bOOy3W4FHjAoN3MjByz4ymXfYjTlVGdCxNXHq3cFOEQaAnHs8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

...but like I said I haven't gotten it to actually work yet. I'm leaning toward something that I found in my research that it has to do with the firmware on the motherboard and the drive itself, but it could also be this adapter, so I'm really at a loss without making some purchases to make the sale, but that would require more time that I don't have unfortunately =|.
 
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King Dranzer

King Dranzer

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I got that.

I said to check the Slim ODD with some other PC which is available in your shop and in working condition. If you check that Slim ODD by connecting it to some other PC and if that works. That means the motherboard or the firmware is causing problem. But if it is not recognized by that other PC that means there is a problem with your Slim ODD or the adapter you bought from the Newegg
 
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mykalcook

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Sorry I didn't see your 2nd comment before I posted that, just wanted to make sure anyone who reads this knows that I definitely can't use one because I found out the hard way lol.

"What I don't understand however, is that when I ported the drive and several others for testing to a different computer, that computer also did not detect them in the BIOS."

So - yes, I tested that drive and other ODDs in another computer... In both computers, the bios & OS fail to detect the drives. I agree with you, I do think it might be an issue with the adapter. That's why I was just wondering if maybe I should try and rig up the sata data cable directly and then splice some wires into the sata power connector on a dummy ODD and see if that works - if it does, then I'll know for sure the adapter is no good. But I didn't get too far, I tend to stay away from splicing cables unless I absolutely have to, but this case definitely applies, i'll be going back in there soon to try a few more ideas.

Someone else I know recommended that I take a regular ODD apart and try to get that working instead, I might try that if all else fails. But to be sure, do you know of an adapter that definitely works for this kind of interface conversion? Even though all signs tell me that it is the problem, I just have a feeling that it isn't and I've got a lot of experimentation to do before I give up.
 
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King Dranzer

King Dranzer

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Yes, try using regular ODD and see if it works fine. Kay if you have extra Slim ODD laying around get that and check if it is working with that adapter. If even a different Slim ODD is also not working then it is definitely the problem of adapter.

Or if you have laptop lying around then replace its ODD with this Slim ODD and see if it is working fine. If it is working fine then it is problem of adapter. But if it is not working then you will have to get ODD replaced(or get a new ODD)
 
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mykalcook

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In the main machine, I tested multiple slimline odd's and none came up in BIOS or Windows. I even tried using different sata ports, still no dice.

In the 2nd machine, did the same thing with multiple ODD's, did not work.

Since i've never had to deal with a laptop disc drive in a desktop motherboard, i've never run into this issue before. I don't know if getting another adapter will get it to start working, I have a feeling that getting another adapter will fail as well, so I'm going to jury rig the red and black to the sata port
 
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mykalcook

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Ok, we had another adapter come in today for some reason, call it a shipping error or a blessing, I don't know.

Anyway, I plugged in the new adapter and the BIOS now recognizes the drive. Thought I was home free until I booted the computer to Windows, and as I attempted to assign it a drive letter, I discovered that the drive is still not showing up in the OS nor in Disk Management. Thought maybe it might be a driver issue, but it's not even showing up as an unrecognized device, just nothing.

I've tried all of our various driver libraries in an attempt to 'find' it in the system but no dice. I am currently reinstalling an operating system on there, not sure if it's going to help. Any chance you know what might be happening here?
 
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mykalcook

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Aug 6, 2013
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The problem was the adapter, but since the drive wasn't loaded with Windows, it didn't recognize it in device/disk management. Reinstalling the operating system got it working. Thanks for your help King
 
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