Hi everyone and i think it should be the right forum to ask such a question. I had a Acer laptop bought in year 2003 and it is still rocks! However, the cd-rom itself doesn't work anymore. It's okay for me to copying cd-rom content through network.

But recently, I realised that I need to reformat my computer. So i connect a USB extrenal cd-rom to it and try to boot from there and got no luck. I know there are a lot of converter out there that actually alllows you to use your laptop's cdrom on desktop computer. All i want is the other way back. Has anyone of you doing this mod before? or is there such a converter out there? that allows you to connect external 40 pins IDE cd-rom to laptop's internal 50 pins (JAE)? Help is much appreciated. Thanks

And... another thing is Im trying to make my old laptop to become 'centrino'
by mounting a USB WiFi receiver in my laptop. For centrino laptop, the antenna would aside on top of the screen. My idea is to put it underneath the keyboard since there is the only space that i can fit it. Any idea if that will degrade the signal strength and as well as cooling issue?

That's all guys.. thanks for reading!

just use a 5.25" usb enclosure to work with desktop cdrom..

cost about RM150 just for enclosure...

dude, i know it's cheap and i can afford that. The problem is my BIOS doesn't support boot from USB device.. i tried..

i hav quite similar problem wit u...

my laptop cant access internall HDD, the hdd still working fine... all other parts still so so nice... the bios doesnt support booting from usb devices also.... so my solution?? buy new laptop...

try using external cd-rw.. as in really external..
those external drives u get off the shelves... with usb..

as in this ---> http://www.wholesaleauction.com/partimages...824MMR-unit.jpg

it works for me.... my drive is the same as the pict... and the laptop i tried on is a twinhead pentium 2 notebook...

solution 1

send to shop ask them to do

solution 2

buy a external case for the hard disk (around rm30). unplug your hard disk then plug into another working pc with cd rom. then copy the windows cd content into the hard disk. make sure you make a folder specifically for the windows cd content la.. dun just copy straight everything to c drive. next, ask your friend to make a bootup floppy disk. ( your pc sure got floppy drive right?) then when done, cucuk back the hard disk to the lap top. then boot from the disket. when done, access the window folder then run the setup in the hard disk. the rest should be same like normal installation. hope that helps


p.s i think this should be on the technical side. correct me if i'm wrong

i guess wat the threadstarter means is tat the laptop he/she owns doesnt support boot wit usb devices... meaning... the bios ther, can choose USB drives to boot wit... i know this coz my new laptop can do such thing, but my old laptop cant... mayb can upgrade the firmware so tat can support booting from usb devices, mayb it will work... js my 2cent only...

already try update bios? see can support boot from usb or not after flash it...

Personally I haven't come across any...except converter that converts 40pin notebook IDE to lappy's ODD connector. These are used for lappies that supports a module bay. However, they're pretty difficult to find loose.

On the desktop ODD part... err..isn't it a lil cumbersome as you'll have to power it with a powersupply.

Just get a replacement CD-ROM. (bring ur lappie to the shop as well as compatibility aren't guaranteed especially with older machines)

ps: So happens I have a lappy board and ODD with me. The connectors different...left= IDE, right= ODD. Excuse the camphone quality.



I think your best bet is still a USB or PCMCIA solution. First of all, there's a chance of shorting something if you place the USB wifi PCB in a place where it's not meant to be. Somemore, keyboards and laptop chassis are EMI shielded and I don't think the USB's on-chip antenna has enuf oomph to go through it all.

This post has been edited by sniper on the roof: Aug 21 2006, 11:58 AM


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thanks for ur replies guys and esp sniper on the roof

Well, looks like we are all trying to push the possibility to the limit and come out with a remedy - replace part...

However, at least i got much info i needed and know that there is no other way of doing it.. thanks guy and have a nice day!