Guide: Notebook Slim Drive to USB 2.0

**e39** · 01-12-2009 12:46 PM

Notebook Slim Drive to USB 2.0 Guide
by e39
January 12, 2009

Purpose:
To prepare a notebook slim drive for USB usage. This is also intended as supplemental to the [Only Registered Members May View Links| Click here to register].

Before we start:
- If a screw isn't coming out, don't spin your screw driver into it until the head strips.
- Don't leave your slim drive attached to a power source.
- Be organized with your screws. They're tiny. I have no idea where you can get more if you lose them.
- Don't work on a carpeted surface. Static shock can travel and damage the components.

Tools:
Micro phillips-head screwdriver set
Dremmel *optional*

Materials needed:
- Notebook Slim Drive
- Notebook to USB 2.0 enclosure - [Only Registered Members May View Links| Click here to register]-

DVD-ROM models tested with RawDump 2.0:
- LG GDR-8081N, does not work

- LG GDR-8082N, works

- LG GDR-8084N, coming soon

Step 1: Examine the notebook slim drive to USB 2.0 contents.

The drive's housing is ABS plastic, so it's pretty rugged. There are no screws holding this together initially, so it'll separate with a little force.

The driver disc is for Windows 98 / 2000 folks. XP and Vista located the proper drivers without any issue.

There are 2 cables provided. One is a USB connectivity cable, nothing special here. The other is a USB power cable. Do not use the USB power cable. Running dual power from the same USB port side might short your power supply. The USB connectivity cable should provide enough juice, if not, use a powered USB hub.

Take special note of this part.

This is the bridge between the notebook drive and the USB port. It's awfully thin, so handle with care.

CONTINUED IN POST 2.

**e39** · 01-12-2009 12:47 PM

Step 2: Prepare the notebook drive.
Notebook slim drives are given much surface treatment pending the vendor. All types of rails and adapters are placed onto the unit to make them work with the given notebook computer application. Under all the junk is the same drive.

First, we'll look at an IBM Thinkpad drive.

Here's the rear of the drive.

Don't worry too much about that odd looking adapter in the rear. Use your head and take a look around the unit. Locate the phillips microscrews holding the rails onto the drive. After a minute, you should be down to this:

Dump the 2 side rails and you'll almost be ready to go.

As you can see here ...

the proper adapter is uncovered. This is what the USB Slim Drive kit was looking for.

LG manufactures drives for the entire industry. Here's an IBM Thinkpad drive (GDR-8081N) vs an HP drive (GDR-8082N).

Again, nothing to be afraid of, just locate the mounting screws.

Under the HP / IBM stickers and rails is nothing more than the same shaped LG drive.

Step 3: Finalizing the installation.

This is where the optional Dremmel tool comes into place. The LG drive purchased will most-likely be salvaged from a non-working (HP, Dell, IBM) laptop. When it arrives, it'll have a laptop model specific faceplate / bezel attached. To make your drive work with the USB case, you'll have to grind down edges appropriately.

The USB drive is fully functional without the case, so it's best to power it up, eject the drive, remove the bezel, then grind down. You don't want to have any shavings making their way into the drive itself.

When finished, you'll have something like this:

If this guide helped you, please use the

button on the thread. It'll encourage me to make more of these if enough feedback is given.

**Chaos** · 02-01-2009 05:23 AM

Not sure if my drive is DOA or if im not waiting long enough. my slim drive comes up as gdr8082n. when i try to do games i have done both ways xp and vista, and on both operating sis. i dont get an error till i eject after about ten min. of nothing on the rawdump program. then it says wii disk detected on rawdump and i get faulty drive error. any seggestions would be great thanks.

**Chaos** · 02-01-2009 10:17 AM

i got it just took about 10-12 min to load onto the screen

**b_i_l_l_y** · 02-02-2009 04:49 AM

Ummm, still doesn't sound good. I have recently got one of these drives but mine fits into my laptop (bezel doesn't fit) which is a bonus and mine worked fine using the Vista method. I wonder whether you are getting enough power to your drive ... you might want to try it via a usb powered hub.

**Tywii** · 02-12-2009 05:15 AM

That sounds good can i use the power cord for my other external burner? it would plug in to the other cable that came with my drive, i just didnt want to fry it.

**billyhome** · 02-12-2009 05:47 AM

must check the DC polarity b4 u plug-in.
dc plugs/sockets are standard sizes. doesn't matter.

**wiidoggii** · 02-23-2009 01:46 PM

e39,

Any luck with the LG GDR-8084N ?

**Haseo** · 07-15-2009 02:20 AM

wow i just use usb loader gx and a sandisk 16 gig flash drive to dump my games it works great and the cost is very low

**Tealc** · 07-23-2009 12:12 AM

Haseo, this tutorial was written before USB Loaders appeared.

Be mindful of the speed that hombrew advances when you add a post to the end of a 5 month old thread.

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