This log deals with how to change a laptop DVD drive from SLAVE to MASTER. I needed to do this when replacing a drive for a Toshiba laptop that requires the hard drive to be a primary master and the DVD drive to be a secondary master. Most drives do not come configured this way.

 

At the time i did not realize the drive was configured as a slave and wondered why the new DVD drive was not even picked up in the bios of the Toshiba. This could mean one of three things. 

1. The drive was dead
2. The IDE controller was a little funky
3. The drive was not configured as a master

Laptops have only one connection that supplies both power and data. The new drive showed lights and made noises when te computer was switched on so i could assume that the drive was not dead.

I had an idea that instead of fighting the OS i would roll with it and i decided if it wanted a secondary master dvd drive thats what it would get. I removed the hard drive from the laptop, then from the aluminium casing and removed the IDE converter from the hard drive exposing the IDE pins. I modified a desktop drive jumper and bridged the pins that turn the hard drive (HD) into a slave thinking that the bios would then allow the DVD drive to slip in as a primary master. Obviously this did not work and no drives of any kind were detected. I would need to either modify the main board of the laptop, the IDE ribbon cable of the DVD drive or the main board on the DVD drive. I opted for the easiest mod being the mainboard on the new DVD drive.

The place that sold me the drive requested that the drive be sent back, modified and then returned which would take at least another week. Time i didn't have.

Parts required:

Soldering iron - the smallest you can get. This is seriously quantum size soldering. A little bit of solder.

Step one - Remove the DVD case

Locate IDE connector pinsFirst turn on your soldering iron. Only three screws held the cover in place. The last screw was stuck tight and i ruined the top of the screw trying to release it. I ended up having to spray a little glide fluid ontot he screw and digging out a notch with a small flat head screwdriver on the top of the screw. Eventually i managed to loosen the screw and remove the top casing.

Step two - release the tray

If you did not eject the tray before you removed it you can stick a paper clip intot he hole on the front of the dvd drive door. Release the tray door so that it opens towards your body exposing the main board (face up). The picture shows the tray after it has been opened and the layout of the mainboard. This drive is a UJ-870 and i wrote todays date on the top of the dvd drive (old habit). Once you have removed the casing you need to locate the IDE connector pins.

Step three - Locate the pins

In particular you need bridge pins 47-48 which you can do with a steady hand and a drop of solder. In the picture i have simply position a ball of solder on the pins awaiting heatng. I found it easier this way and have even heard of people bridging the gap using tin foil which i certainly wouldnt recommend. Pins have been bridged. Thats it ... reassemble and install to the laptop and you should have a recognized working drive. This proedure effectively changes the MASTER/SLAVE configuration to MASTER making it suitable for a Toshiba laptop.