Since cyber surfing this forum there has be topics raised on if certain optical drive could be fitted into one’s laptop etc, etc.
So since many seem to be about the Compal type laptops I have put together a small but useful
Tutorial, for converting one’s optical drive in a Compal 5 series and their spin off counterpart’s laptop, for a replacement optical drive unit which may not have the right connections.
It describes the removal only of the main components needed to carry out this task (A one for one exchange of parts and not replacement of the bezel).
This guide can be used for other brands/make of laptops and will have to be adjusted as needed.
Most Slot type optical drives will fit nicely without any trimming of the bezel into the Compal 5xx laptop. With tray type optical drive you may be able to replace the bezel on the front of the drive with your original bezel from your Compal drive maybe for cosmetic reason drive dependent. (Unscrew bezel fixing screw on top and maybe the underside then unclip and pull out)
Even so you may have to undertake some filing on some bezel
Before undertaking any mod you need to identify the type of drive and connectors you have.
Have a look at some shots below of my drives …………the rear and connection.
Connection on our replacement drive
Close up of a Conncetor for our Compal 5xx drive
Tools: Need to carry out this task.
Precision screwdriver set
Typical connections:
Tray draw open
Lets begin
Now would be a good time to have your optical drive out of your laptop.
Working area should been clean you may wish to have some blue tak or double sided tape to stick your screw onto so you don’t lose them as you take the out.
Once out your drive will look something like this, notice housing frame and back plate. See below
Close-up of the connector
And here is a close-up of the connector on the original fitted Compal optical drive.
Next to remove the back plate.
Now we need to unscrew the two screws around the back plate so we can remove it.
For this I used a screwdriver with a cross drive head size #1.
Once both screw are out all you need to do is lift the back plate out.
Photos below show topside view of drive.
It's off!!!! 
Back plate off see below. (Topside of drive)
Removing housing frame.
Now that our back plate is off we can proceed to take off the housing frame around out optical drive.
This is held in place by four screws for this I used a cross head size #0 screwdriver.
There no set order to take these screws out. Once you have done this you need to have the underside of the drive face upwards to remove the housing frame. See photos.
With just a gentle force pull away the housing frame BUT make sure you don’t pull onto the Piggy back board (PCB connector) which is behind this frame and connected to our drive, as this could be damaged in doing so.
It’s easy enough to take out so no sweat……and put housing frame and screw to one side there after.
Housing frame removed
Housing frame has now be removed and you can see
the components taken off so far in the photo below.
Removal of PCB connector (Piggy back board)
Now to take off the connector PCB just a gentle pull will release this.
Pull from ends of PCB with even pressure away from the drive.
Yes we have our connector PCB removed from drive now.
This is the most important part so keep it save, without this your ****$$$£% get me!
See photos below!
Here's another view. 
These are close up's of the Connector PCB.
Bare drive
And now we have a bare drive without housing frame and back plate etc.
The refit of these components to your replacement drive is the reverse of the removal.
And this is what the end product looks like replaced onto our new drive.
New drive
Components stack neatly together
Note
Although I’ve put this short guide together don’t under take this mod if you feel unable to complete it.
Warranties could be void and I will not be held responsible for any damages.
All the best from…..Wu-Tang
Shaolin brotherhood selfdefence.
PS: All though this may not be to everyone's taste it may serve to aids others...
Yes I know there are some typo mistakes etc, etc.
Hi Katt need some of your nice cooking tanx...
So since many seem to be about the Compal type laptops I have put together a small but useful
Tutorial, for converting one’s optical drive in a Compal 5 series and their spin off counterpart’s laptop, for a replacement optical drive unit which may not have the right connections.
It describes the removal only of the main components needed to carry out this task (A one for one exchange of parts and not replacement of the bezel).
This guide can be used for other brands/make of laptops and will have to be adjusted as needed.
Most Slot type optical drives will fit nicely without any trimming of the bezel into the Compal 5xx laptop. With tray type optical drive you may be able to replace the bezel on the front of the drive with your original bezel from your Compal drive maybe for cosmetic reason drive dependent. (Unscrew bezel fixing screw on top and maybe the underside then unclip and pull out)
Even so you may have to undertake some filing on some bezel
Before undertaking any mod you need to identify the type of drive and connectors you have.
Have a look at some shots below of my drives …………the rear and connection.
Connection on our replacement drive
Close up of a Conncetor for our Compal 5xx drive
Tools: Need to carry out this task.
Precision screwdriver set
Typical connections:
Tray draw open
Lets begin
Now would be a good time to have your optical drive out of your laptop.
Working area should been clean you may wish to have some blue tak or double sided tape to stick your screw onto so you don’t lose them as you take the out.
Once out your drive will look something like this, notice housing frame and back plate. See below
Close-up of the connector
And here is a close-up of the connector on the original fitted Compal optical drive.
Next to remove the back plate.
Now we need to unscrew the two screws around the back plate so we can remove it.
For this I used a screwdriver with a cross drive head size #1.
Once both screw are out all you need to do is lift the back plate out.
Photos below show topside view of drive.
It's off!!!! 
Back plate off see below. (Topside of drive)
Removing housing frame.
Now that our back plate is off we can proceed to take off the housing frame around out optical drive.
This is held in place by four screws for this I used a cross head size #0 screwdriver.
There no set order to take these screws out. Once you have done this you need to have the underside of the drive face upwards to remove the housing frame. See photos.
With just a gentle force pull away the housing frame BUT make sure you don’t pull onto the Piggy back board (PCB connector) which is behind this frame and connected to our drive, as this could be damaged in doing so.
It’s easy enough to take out so no sweat……and put housing frame and screw to one side there after.
Housing frame removed
Housing frame has now be removed and you can see
the components taken off so far in the photo below.
Removal of PCB connector (Piggy back board)
Now to take off the connector PCB just a gentle pull will release this.
Pull from ends of PCB with even pressure away from the drive.
Yes we have our connector PCB removed from drive now.
This is the most important part so keep it save, without this your ****$$$£% get me!
See photos below!
Here's another view. 
These are close up's of the Connector PCB.
Bare drive
And now we have a bare drive without housing frame and back plate etc.
The refit of these components to your replacement drive is the reverse of the removal.
And this is what the end product looks like replaced onto our new drive.
New drive
Components stack neatly together
Note
Although I’ve put this short guide together don’t under take this mod if you feel unable to complete it.
Warranties could be void and I will not be held responsible for any damages.
All the best from…..Wu-Tang
Shaolin brotherhood selfdefence.
PS: All though this may not be to everyone's taste it may serve to aids others...
Yes I know there are some typo mistakes etc, etc.
Hi Katt need some of your nice cooking tanx...
YES!
