This is how you install an optical drive, right? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2016, 09:35:56 pm
content: Working on an old IBM EServer model 325, it HAD a laptop drive in there like it's supposed to, but that's broken.So i ripped the laptop drive assembly out, bent the chassis slightly, and rammed it in there. I think it is one of my finer bodges as it JUST BARELY fits, it's a trumph I can get it in, but if it were justa bit shorter, it would be perfect.Oh well.And for those wondering WHY I didn't get a laptop drive, getting something and waiting days just for a single stupid part is not how computer engineers do things, unless your Microsoft.This is the art of hobbyist computering, and this is the art of the bodge.

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2016, 09:53:44 pm
content: Me thinks that you should just push a bit more...

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2016, 09:54:23 pm
content: Quote from: PA0PBZ on November 12, 2016, 09:53:44 pmCan't no room. That server is built tighter than a walnut corset.

author: karoru
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2016, 10:40:20 pm
content: Stupid question, why didn't you just prepare USB stick with Windows installation using another machine? Last time I've installed an OS using compact disk was over 10 years ago. Worst case - boot from LAN (it this one is so vintage it can't boot from USB)

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2016, 11:15:23 pm
content: That server cannot boot from USB (2004) and I have no clue how to set up a network boot, and I seriously don't want to try, as the network BIOS is broken for some reason (Keep looping over and over if it tries to network boot)I actually use DVD+RWs quite a lot as cheap flash drives because they are easy to burn, hold a decent amount, and work on almost anything.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 13, 2016, 08:20:32 am
content: Quote from: TwoOfFive on November 12, 2016, 11:15:23 pmBooting from LAN has been around since the NE2000 days with the boot PROM. Although unless you know what you're doing, don't bother. Not all OS's can be booted from the network. It's more designed for your lightweight terminals.Nothing wrong with burning to disc. For a few cents per disc, it's quick, easy and reliable. Why fix what isn't broken?

author: DimitriP
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2016, 09:14:28 am
content: Quote...and you can write on them !As for anyone ready to chime in with their USB flash drive indexing and cataloguing method, go away and start your own thread

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2016, 09:23:27 am
content: As well, if you finalise the disk it is more difficult to modify it on the quiet, unlike a flash drive, which is mutable.

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2016, 05:56:28 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on November 13, 2016, 09:23:27 amActually I only ever use RW discs because they still about a quarter per disc and they last a long time.

author: Falkra
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2016, 06:14:40 pm
content: Hello, this may be a (well sized) remplacement part :http://www.ebay.de/itm/390954662817(I'm not the seller)

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2016, 08:27:56 pm
content: Quote from: Falkra on November 13, 2016, 06:14:40 pmThanks for the offer, butA. I have that entire assembly, I just need a generic laptop IDE disc driveB. 60 dollars shippingI also don't have a floppy controller on board.

author: karoru
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2016, 05:42:22 am
content: Quote from: Halcyon on November 13, 2016, 08:20:32 amI only have one problem with them - I never have blank DVD-R around nowadays and usually it takes a car trip to get to the shop that sells them in my neighbourhood. I buy these 25-50 pcs DVD spindles, use one and rest suddenly disappears somewhere into the abyss after one month or so;)

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2016, 05:49:31 am
content: Quote from: karoru on November 17, 2016, 05:42:22 amGET DVD+RWs (Not -RWs) They last for thousands of burns, and they hold as much as a DVD. They are cheap, clocking in at around 10 dollars for 25 DVD+RWs. Just make sure when you are READING the discs, your optical drive supports it, because DVD+RWs require a more powerful light in order to reflect properly.