Hi Folks,
I've spent some hours hunting around the internet for detailed information and assistance with upgrading my laptop. I recently found out (via a PC WORLD article that it is far more upgradeable that I originally thought. So I am keen to make a few changes. I've not, however, been able to get answers to some basic questions. Perhaps your know some of these answers?

1) A few years ago when my HDD died I called Acer to find out how large (capacity) a drive I could put in. They said it was 40GB. Now that happens to be the largest off-the-shelf configuration this particular laptop was marketed with. Mine had a 30gb when I got it. There was nothing much bigger then 40 or 60gb in 2.5in HDDs when I first bought the laptop. However, much larger ones are now avaialble. I asked that technician why it could not take a larger one (like 80gb). He just said that 40 gb is the largest it is designed for. I could not understand how that could be (I've never heard of an IDE bus supporting only a limited size drive before, at least not on desktops).

I have since read that larger drives can go in, despite what the laptop manufacturer might say.

So my first question is this: Is there some limitation that is built into the EIDE interface on a laptop that does not exist on desktops? Or can I in fact stick a 120GB drive into my laptop?

2) My next port of call is the DVD/CDRW drive. I'd like to have one that writes to DVD. This one reads DVD but does not write. I have read that it is possible to put a new DVD writer into the existing drive casing/rails. Does any one have any experience with that?
So far I understand that the key is to ensure the new drive has the same master/slave configuration as my existing one, and so long as that is right I should be able to just pull my drive apart, pull a new drive apart, put the guts of the new drive into the case of the old drive, and voila. I imagine I'd also have to install some drivers, or maybe not?

3) Replacing the backlighting module. Does any one have any experience with this? Know of a good place to get this sort of part?
I notice my screen takes time to "warm up" which was not the case before. It also is not as bright as it used to be. I have to have it cranked up on full brightness to use it comfortably. I've read that the backlight module can often be replaced.

I look forward to hearing what tips and insights you guys and gals have.

With thanks,

Jonathan

Older motherboards do indeed have hard drive detection limitations whether notebook or desktop.

This site offers 80GB drives for your laptop:

http://www.simpletech.com/upgrades/a...entium4m17ghz/

The general search that that came from:

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...&q=Acer+TM+633

Acer specs:

http://www.acerpanam.com/synapse/for...ords=&areaid=7

Manual:

http://www.acerpanam.com/synapse/for...ords=&areaid=7

The manual covers replacing the optical drive but not the hard drive. Appears to be an easy slide in and out.

This company lists up to 200GB drives for your laptop:

http://www.bixnet.com/tr6363636363.html

Here is a general search on replacing backlights:

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...ht+replacement


.

Thanks for those links.
Looking at the Bixnet site it would seem that up to 160gb (even 200gb when they have them available) is compatible with this TM633.

I've also learnt that numerous DVD writer drives will work on this machine. I just have to remove the rails and a board on the back that converts the standard interface connector over to the one for this laptop. That's easy enough.

I've not managed to pull up anything conclusive with regards to the inverter (the thing that drives the back light) for this particular model. I'll keep searching for that info.

With thanks,

Jonathan

Update.
I wrote to the people at Bix regarding the HDD:

Hello,
I am looking at upgrading the HDD in my Acer TM633.
Acer tell me that this machine is not compatible with drives bigger than 40GB.

Your site lists drives up to 160GB for this model. Is it true that I can put a drive with as much capacity as 160GB into an Acer TM633?

here is their reply:

Hi, Jonathan:

Acer may never tested a hard drive bigger than 40GB with TM633, so they will tell you the machine is not compatible with drivers bigger than 40GB. But actually it has no problem with the 160GB hard drive we have.

So for anyone looking for this info, there's the answer. An Acer TM633 will (according to this supplier) accept as much as a 160GB HDD. I'll be testing this out next week once I have one on hand and I shall post here of the result.

Jonathan

Thanks for the update.

Let us know how it goes.