d-series connector to USB adaptor?

Hi thanks for taking the time to reply. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a USB connector, it appears more like a combined USB & power connector (one on top of the other). From searching the web, all the descriptions I've seen use the phrase "connector unique to the dell D-Series".

If it helps, the model No. is PD01S

Hi Maggief24,

Dell used to provide a serial adapter (not USB) for flexbay drives for the old C-series Lats. But they did not do so for the D-series, as far as I know.

Hi thanks for taking the time to reply. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a USB connector, it appears more like a combined USB & power connector (one on top of the other). From searching the web, all the descriptions I've seen use the phrase "connector unique to the dell D-Series". If it helps, the model No. is PD01S

The connector is Dell proprietary.

I have a D400 with that external DVD drive.

You won't be able to use that DVD drive with a non-Dell system.

http://digilander.libero.it/electrons/PD01S.html

Sounds like the easiest fix is to bin the proprietary DVD writer and buy an external writer with standard USB connector. Otherwise you could open up the writer enclosure and see if the connection to the DVD drive is a standard laptop mini pata connector (which it looks like it is judging by the pictures in the link within the above post). If so, you may be able to install the old drive in a new enclosure which contains an appropriate mini pata/usb adapter board, they do exist. Such enclosures aren't expensive but then again, enclosures with DVD writers are also quite cheap. The down side is a USB cable may not be enough to feed power to this new setup so you may also need a power adapter (laptop writes may be ok with 5V only but haven't had a need to research it so don't know).

Also, some laptop DVD writers were placed in small thin external enclosures and you may have an example of such. It could be possible it remove the drive from the enclosure and place it inside the laptop itself but i'm not familiar with the DVD enclosure nor your laptop.

Guess the moral of the story is to stay away from proprietary and vendor specific interfaces :emotion-1:

I like the eSATAp interface as it is very fast and also provides power (for 2.5" drives, not 3.5" drives which need the 12V which is lacking in this interface). Unfortunately not many system and enclosures handle eSATAp and likely this interface will be surpassed by USB3 and later Thunderbolt. This doesn't help you though.

Many thanks - I think I've come to the same conclusion i.e. scrap this DVD/CD writer and buy one with a simple USB connector!

Thanks to everyone for your responses. :))

I was using USB for resume and now it is not connecting.When I connect USB to my laptop.The message is format and when click on format the message says windows unable to format drive E:  Tried all possible solutions.DIAGNOSTIC TESTING PASSED.DELL SUPPORT SCAN PASSED. windows 7

I request for an expert help.

If you look at the connector carefully you will see the symbols for both USB and firewire.  The drive can do either.  Just use a USB extender cord to get the proper "A" end to plug into your computer.

I have a dell mini and a newpd01s, have had any luck finding an adapter, thanks shibainus(dog breed)