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Any help from computer repair types?

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2wrench

2wrench

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First, pour me a whiskey and make it a double.

Next: My laptop Satellite A60 died -- with all my
TR6 repair photos still on it. Great reference to replace
dash stuffs. Needs a new motherboard jack, $20 or so, on line from Ebay.

I took it apart. Looks fixable. Can't get the cover
to come apart in the area of the DVD drive. Reference
from internet says: "Remove DVD, then three screws, etc."

I can push the "safety" button and open the DVD door
without power; but, how do I remove the door from the
unit (if need be) in order to remove the DVD from the computer?

I purchased another unit, but that doesn't get my files off
the old computer. I'd like to make the repair and give
this one to the kids so they stop pestering me to use my
laptop.

Any help availbe on an off the path question?
Thanks,
2wrench
 
normally the door is nothing more than a piece of plastic that snaps onto the DVD/CD-ROM tray. Careful inspection/gentle prying can usually reveal the location of the snaps and allow you to remove it without breaking it ... hopefully.
 
Are you saying the computer functions, but the burner is bad? And what exactly is a "motherboard jack"? Do you mean the power connector?

If you can boot the computer, use a keychain USB drive to transfer the photos one group at a time. You can buy them for $20 anywhere. Or use an external drive. Or network from one computer to the other. Or email them a few at a time.

If the computer won't boot at all, remove the hard drive and plug it into another computer. You will need an adapter to plug a 2.5" laptop drive into a standard desktop motherboard.
 
Steve_S said:
If the computer won't boot at all, remove the hard drive and plug it into another computer. You will need an adapter to plug a 2.5" laptop drive into a standard desktop motherboard.
Click to expand...

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/iagree.gif

This is probably the route I would take.
 
I cant see why you would need to remove the cd rom drive door in order to remove the drive from the laptop. Once you remove the door there will only be a very small space with very little access surely not enough to get a screwdriver in there to remove any mounting screws. Besides on all of the laptops I have worked on the cd rom mounting screws are on the outside of the drive not inside it. On my Gateway there is a cd rom acess panel on the back of the case you should see the mounting screws on one side or the other. You may need to remove other components to get at them.
I have never worked on a Satellite A60 laptop so could be I am mistaken about how the cd rom drive is mounted.
Kerry
P.S. if it wont boot, Networking it isnt an option.
Instaling the hard drive in another machine would work but keep in mind that you will most likely have to reset the jumper on the hard drive to secondary slave. and if you instal it in a desktop an adaptor as stated previously is required
If the Hard drive is what is "DEAD" then all is most likely lost
 
Most laptops I've seen have a small access cover on the bottom. Remove this and you can get to a single screw which holds the optical drive in place. Once the screw is removed, the drive needs a firm push to release it from the chassis.
 
Toshibas are the same as the rest: The CD drive is held in with screws external to the drive. Steve's suggestion of slaving the drive on another PC is the method I'd use as well.

If the jack for the AC power adaptor is the problem (VERY common with Toshibas) it can usually be repaired by soldering it back to the mammaboard.
 
I don't know the level of your computer skills, but if the hard drive works and you are not comfortable with hooking it up to another compter, you might also try one of hte local computer repair shops. They might be willing to hook it up for you and copy all hte info on the hard drive to DVD or CD's. (For a nominal fee of course) COMP USA did this for my dad several years ago when he purchased anew computer and wanted to transfer the data from the old one. He just stored the disks and has probably never used them, but just in case, he has the data.
 
Steve_S said:
Are you saying the computer functions, but the burner is bad? And what exactly is a "motherboard jack"? Do you mean the power connector?

If you can boot the computer, use a keychain USB drive to transfer the photos one group at a time. You can buy them for $20 anywhere. Or use an external drive. Or network from one computer to the other. Or email them a few at a time.

If the computer won't boot at all, remove the hard drive and plug it into another computer. You will need an adapter to plug a 2.5" laptop drive into a standard desktop motherboard.
Click to expand...

I have the same question about the "motherboard jack." and the other two suggetions are right on the money.
 
DrEntropy said:
Toshibas are the same as the rest: The CD drive is held in with screws external to the drive. Steve's suggestion of slaving the drive on another PC is the method I'd use as well.

If the jack for the AC power adaptor is the problem (VERY common with Toshibas) it can usually be repaired by soldering it back to the mammaboard.
Click to expand...

Yes, Doctor, you have the problem. It is the jack to the
power cord that is the problem. I need to remove the
cover in order to solder. The darned thing is attached
in and around the DVD drive. Info from the internet
says: "Remove the DVD drive," then etc, etc to remove
the case/cover to the computer.

I'm shootng to revive this patient so my kids can use the
machine; but, in lieu, I will take the option to hook
my hard drive up via USB and copy some files over --
especially my dash photos for reference.

Thanks to a great bunch for all replies,

2wrench
 
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