Modding Optical Drives

[Dr. Kamolly]

How can I change an optical drive to open like a disc man, instead of the standard tray, /_ something like that?

Give me your opinion.

Thanks

[DaveW]

Um...although it's possible, you'd have to be damn good. Personally I wouldn't try it. At least, not to MY computer.

-Dave

[Dr. Kamolly]

Is there anything I should know about, especially that it would be the first time for me to see the insides of an optical drive?

[DaveW]

Well...there's a lot to it. It's possible, this i know because lots of people put windows in the tops of their drives. Well, not lots...there Richmandedeus did one i think. Well there's 2 kinds of optical drives; ones where the motor is at the top and comes down to pick up the disk, and ones where the motor comes up to pick up the disc. If it's the first, then it's not possible. If it's the latter, then it's simply going to be close to not possible, because without anything to brace against, the motor won't pick up your CD.

I'd suggest getting an old/dead drive, dismantelling it, and having a look at it first. Then you can see how the mechanism works.

If you have a slot loading drive then i've got no idea how they work in terms of gripping the CD.

Oh, and you'll void your warranty, not to mention the laser radiation (it's actually not too bad unless it's a burner...i think). Unless this is critical to your design, i'd honestly see if there was an alternative, because it seems like a lot of work for very little result. Then again, don't let me tell you what can and can't be done, a year ago i laughed at the idea of smoke machines and computers being put together, and dammit if Mr. Capello didn't make me eat my words. (Jokes on him, there's no words when you laugh! Hahaha! See? No words! :D)

-Dave

[Dr. Kamolly]

That's actually what's been holding me back, laser, when is it on and when is it off?? As for the warranty, I'm experimenting with a 5-year-old CR-ROM, the motor comes up!! What's wrong if its a burner?? Is there some precautions or standards that should be kept when changing the design of the drive??

Please don't hesitate to mention anything, no matter how small it can be.

And yes, it is critical for the design.

[DaveW]

As long as you can't see into the beam i think you should be fine-at least, for a CD drive, i assume that when you're burning a CD it uses a stronger laser. If the motor comes up, then you need to work in a way for the CD to clip into the spindle, unless it's got a rubber seal on the top, and the motor's attached to a sort of arrowhead idea. In that case, you just need to work your rubber wheel onto your lid and you're on. Post some pictures if you get a chance, i don't think many people have done this. At least, no-one i know of has.

-Dave

[Dr. Kamolly]

The idea is basically the drive will open upwards like in the PS, so the cover will be plexiglass or fibreglass (if there was a difference between them), so you can see the CD inside, of course the original metal covering of the drive will be used to cover the part above the laser, just add the plexi/fibregalss on top of it, I'm thinking of a way to utilize the drive's own ejection/insertion system, so I'm asking when is the laser ON and when is it OFF? This will help me decide how much of the platform is covered by the metal, what moves and what remains stable!

I intend to do this with a DVD-Burner, so any ideas or suggestions are welcome!

THNX

[DaveW]

The laser will need to be on in order to know where the disc is, and where the laser is. It's therefore on pretty much constantly i'm afraid. Although it is pretty safe, because i've got a CD player in my room where the whole top is made of clear plastic (and the sides).

With a DVD burner...i'll be honest, i doubt it's really safe. Try contacting the manufacturer, they usually try to avoid customers killing themselves with their products, so they'll help you out.

-Dave

-Dave

[Cannibal23]

try looking here. this guy ZapWizzard is wicked awesome. although im sure the electronics of your drive and his are going to be diffrent at least this should give you some ideas what to look for

http://www.zapwizard.com/Guides/DVD/Eject/Index.htm

[tybrenis]

yeha, Zap is the man. Perhaps you could contact him regarding your mod, I'm sure he'd be glad to lend a helping hand.

[Dr. Kamolly]

OK, I sent an email to ZapWizard, let's hope we hear something good, thanks guys for your contribution.

[tybrenis]

Sweet! I am looking forward to seeing this if you can pull it off.