my Dell inspiron 1300 laptop, the internal disk drive has quit, I want to buy a new dvd/cd
rom drive, but I don't know how to change it. Do I need a computer expert to do it,
or can I do it.?
I would certainly appreciate somebody helping me.
Do I have to take the laptop apart?
Colin88.

Hi Colin and welcome.

We need to clear something up first. You said the internal disk drive quit but then said you want to buy a new DVD/CD drive. Just to be clear, normally the "disk drive" refers to the "hard" disk drive, especially when you say "internal" disk drive. So did the hard disk drive quit, or the DVD/CD drive?

In either case, according to the Dell™ Inspiron™ 1300/B120/B130 Service Manual replacing your hard drive or the optical drive is done via exterior access compartments, so you don't have to open the case. Now whether you can do it or not depends on how comfortable you are with a small Phillips screwdriver, but it looks like an easy task. Just remember to remove the battery and disconnect the power supply first.