I have an IBM R51 laptop, just recently it can not read CDs, VCDs, even cleaner disc. When I go to my-computer, it does not show anything even when the disc is inside the drive, but it can easily read DVDs. When ever I put the CD/VCD in the drive, the light in the drive blink after sometimes it stop, unlike for DVD where it works normally. Will you please help me?

Sounds like you have a failing optical drive. Apparently, the CD reading module is not working properly but the DVD reading module still working fine. I’ve seen it happening before.

There is not much you can do to fix the drive. You’ll have to replace the whole optical drive.

I am having a few problems with my Satellite M30X-156 combo DVD drive and I am looking to replace it. Do you have a list of compatible replacement drives?

I cannot find a list of drives for Satellite M30X-156 (it’s not USA model, right?). Here’s a list of drives compatible with Toshiba Satellite M35X-S149 (USA model). I think all drives will work fine for your notebook too.
DVD-CD/RW drives:
K000015770, K000015780, K000015790, K000015800, K000025480, K000030230
DVD multidrives (DVD burners):
K000015860, K000015870, K000024880, K000029610
Search on the Internet using the part number and find a seller. Before you buy it make sure the drive is actually compatible and it comes with the front plate because the old face plate might not fit your new drive. I would recommend contacting the seller and ask him about any possible compatibility issues.

I have a Toshiba Satellite A50 and want to replace the standard SD-C2612 DVD drive for an NEC ND-6750A DVD Writer but after replacing the drive and switching on I get an IDE ERROR message before windows XP starts and the drive is not recognized. I have tried detecting the drive using the hardware wizard but it won’t detect it can you please help.

I think it happens because the new drive has a different configuration then the old drive. Some laptops require a drive that works in cable select mode (CSEL) – the laptop determines with drive is a slave and witch is a master by its position on IDE channel. Some laptops require a drive that works in master/slave mode – the drive is set as a master or as a slave through the firmware flash. If the optical drive is not configured properly, you’ll get an IDE ERROR on startup. Sometimes you can find the information about optical drive configuration on the top of the drive. It would be CSEL for cable select and M/S for master/slave. Unfortunately, I don’t know what drive configuration is required for Toshiba Satellite A50.

Nice site. Have a Satellite A15-S127. Very nice to find disassembly instructions as I have had a very balky CDR/DVD drive for a long time now. Many times will not read a CD/DVD, but will if I open drive and reorient the disc. Have to do this multiple times sometimes.

My question is: Will this machine take a DVD-R drive? Any recommendations?

I think your CD/DVD drive is going bad and should be replaced. There are two different multifunction drives (DVD+/-RW) listed for Toshiba Satellite A15. Here are part numbers: P000384990 and P000422740. I tried to google for it and found it on sale for $360. Man, that’s a lot! I can buy a used laptop for as much. When I tried to search on ebay for “A15 DVD” I found what you are looking for: New 8X DVD+/-RW burner for Toshiba Satellite A10/A15/A40/A45/A55. The description says that it is compatible with Toshiba Satellite A15-S127 and the price was much better: $95+$15 for shipping. I think that is a great price for a new laptop burner. Here are some tips for buying a new notebook DVD drive.