Sony Vaio/Pioneer DV-RW TD09 ribbon cable replacement?

Hi,

I have a Sony Vaio VPCCW1S1E (red) with a Pioneer DV-RW TD09 drive.

Recently the ribbon cable on the underside of the DVD-RW drive keeps catching in the drawer and is becoming mangled. I have to carefully thread it back in with the drawer to stop it being squished.

So far the drive is functioning correctly but the ribbon needs replaced as it will not return to its former unkinked shape.

Does anyone know if it's possible to buy a replacement ribbon for this drive? The number printed on the cable is type:

Youngshin-c awm 5443 105c 30v vw-1

I can't find any for sale. Is there an equivalent? Should I buy a reconditioned DVD-RW instead (a new one is too expensive). I have no clue about ribbon cables!

Sony and Pioneer were unable to help.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Kind Regards.

Hi,

Thanks for the reply! I'm really not sure if the ribbon cable is internal to the DVD-RW alone, or if it attaches to the laptop as I know nothing of the inner workings of an optical drive.

I have attached a couple of images showing the underside of the DVD drive when it's open to try and illustrate the problem. The cable moves in and out with the tray, but has become mangled and now catches in the tray. It bends downwards and trying to bend it back, tape it in place, or stiffen the ribbon cable doesn't work.

I'm trying to find out if it's possible to replace the cable and, if possible, what to replace it with. I could replace the whole drive, but it seems a shame since it works fine except for the cable not retracting properly.

I hope the pictures help.

Kind Regards.

rvcjew said:

I would cut a strip of packing tape and put it over the cable whiles it's extended and flat and post your results.

Wow, thanks for the fast reply! Unfortunately I did just that and it didn't work. The cable seems to have too many kinks in it that catch on the tray, plus it still needs to have enough elasticity to bend properly and the tape makes it too stiff!

:)

rvcjew said:

crusoe89 said:

rvcjew said:

I would cut a strip of packing tape and put it over the cable whiles it's extended and flat and post your results.

Wow, thanks for the fast reply! Unfortunately I did just that and it didn't work. The cable seems to have too many kinks in it that catch on the tray, plus it still needs to have enough elasticity to bend properly and the tape makes it too stiff!

:)

Waiting in a doctor's office ;p, without seeing the drive opened up at that bottom plate area it would be hard to tell how to fix it. You might want to flip over your laptop take out the screw marked with an arrow point at the cd drive then the whole unit should slide out.

Awe! I hope it's nothing serious!

I am a total amateur at taking laptop components apart and that's why I was trying to scout out if there is such a thing as a replacement ribbon before I attempt to take things apart! I can get my hands on a reconditioned drive for £20, I just imagined a ribbon would be cheaper!

:)

rvcjew said:

crusoe89 said:

rvcjew said:

Waiting in a doctor's office ;p, without seeing the drive opened up at that bottom plate area it would be hard to tell how to fix it. You might want to flip over your laptop take out the screw marked with an arrow point at the cd drive then the whole unit should slide out.

Awe! I hope it's nothing serious!

I am a total amateur at taking laptop components apart and that's why I was trying to scout out if there is such a thing as a replacement ribbon before I attempt to take things apart! I can get my hands on a reconditioned drive for £20, I just imagined a ribbon would be cheaper!

:)

The location of that ribbon cable it might be soldered in. New drive for 20 is a good deal.

Yes, I think you're right. Just thought it was worth doing a little homework to make sure.

Thanks for the advice!