laptop cdrom question

[Runes911]

I have a fairly old laptop, the internal cdrom for it does not work anymore. I need to get linux installed. (since thats about all it can run hehe) Can I use a PCMCIA cdrom to boot with? Or is the cd boot limited to the internal cdrom? Can the internal cdrom be replaced? If so how much would it cost?

p.s. the laptop is a compaq presario 1200- something.....

 

[Runes911]

bump come on I know someone has to know....

 

[Om]

Can I use a PCMCIA cdrom to boot with?

Generally no, it isn't bootable.

Can the internal cdrom be replaced?

Yes, but you will have to find the exact same drive to replace it with almost always, you'd have to research it but usually it's specific to that model laptop.

If so how much would it cost?

If you can locate the drive it all depends, someone on ebay might have one for $40.00 or you might end up paying $80.00 from a place that handles old parts, just depends what you end up looking for really.

 

[jschuk]

YHPM

 

[Gunbuster]

IIRC that compaq uses the standard 50 pin ATAPI connector, the only problem is you will have to rip off the belez of the new drive since the housing is curved (at least I think it is)