Replace NAV DVD drive with USB key?
 

Hello all,

Thanks to help from many of you and countless hours of reading, I've been able to mod my splash screens and changed my map disk skylines.

Now I have a different issue. I'm getting the dreaded:

Can't read CD/DVD disc error

I know that the fix is to replace the DVD drive and/or the reader. The problem is, because this is a moving part and more subject to failure, why not just replace the DVD player itself with an 8 GB USB key with a map DVD file on it? No more moving parts.

My proposal would be to have a USB key to SATA. I guess there would need to be some autostart program on the key when the ignition is started to send the data to the NAV.

Has anyone tried or discussed this?

That would be awesome!

BTW, my DVD drive did the dreaded "cannot read DVD" for about 3 months, then it started working again. That was over a year ago. I tried blowing it out and everything, no luck, then one day it just started working fine again. bizzare

Luckily I hadn't yet come up with the funds to replace the drive...

ive got this error now, and looked into replacing it with a SSD.
However, from what i understand (correct me if im wrong) its not possible.

i hope im wrong!

The first thing I think we need is a pin-out of the connector going to the drive. Does anyone have the schematic for that?

From the preliminary discussions I've had with people, it should be possible. The SATA-USB is bi-directional, it's just a matter of knowing if the firmware on the DVD drive itself has security or an encryption.

There was a discussion about this ;).

Thanks,

Looks like the discussion never went anywhere...SIGH

I assume you have all opened the DVD drive and cleaned the optical lens...reportedly the issue over time.

I think there was a post somewhere a year or two ago about someone doing a detailed DIY on this...google would reveal I bet.

A

You have to open the drive? Seems a bit drastic for a first step. Why not get one of these CD cleaners (or similar) and let the tiny brushes on the disk clean the lens/laser? It spins and cleans the lens and the optical light. Very easy and since their mass market introduction in the 80's, very effective if the problem is a dirty lens/Laser.

Also, I was getting this error on a DVD, but not regional CD's from the MKI, II, and III days. I updated to the most recent NAV software- I think it's v32. No more error.

Ard,

Thanks. I was hoping to avoid that step entirely. Also, it wouldn't stop it from happening again.

PropellerHead,

I was thinking about going this route too to see if it helps.


On a side note: As a secondary problem, when the disc does read and does spin up, the GPS will seem off by several miles. Is this a related problem or a different problem altogether?

Thanks,

Tee