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After Hours

Cracking open an external DVD burner

By Erik Eckel July 19, 2007, 11:03 PM PDT

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Cracking open an external DVD burner

The LG Super Multi DVD ReWriter

The LG Super Multi DVD ReWriter

ntExternal USB-connected CD and DVD burners present a simple method for expanding PCs and adding valuable functionality. Just what’s inside those black and beige boxes so many users have added to their systems, though? Check out this Cracking Open image gallery for a glimpse inside an LG Super Multi DVD ReWriter GSA-2166D.
nt
ntModel number GSA-2166D, this LG Super Multi DVD ReWriter served its purpose well, at least for 18 months or so before failing.

ntnn

Cracking open an external DVD burner

The LG Super Multi DVD ReWriter: Bottom View

The LG Super Multi DVD ReWriter: Bottom View

The LG’s model and serial numbers, manufacturing date and other information are all affixed to a single label placed on the underside of the external LG case.

Cracking open an external DVD burner

The LG Super Multi DVD ReWriter: Rear View

The LG Super Multi DVD ReWriter: Rear View

The rear panel of the LG Super Multi ReWriter features simply two ports. One accommodates a USB 2.0 cable, whereas the second accepts the required 12-volt DC power supply.

Cracking open an external DVD burner

The LG Super Multi DVD ReWriter Adapter

The LG Super Multi DVD ReWriter Adapter

The LG’s power adapter converts 120-volt AC wall current to the 12-volt DC electrical supply the external DVD burner requires.

Cracking open an external DVD burner

Inside The LG Super Multi DVD ReWriter Adapter

Inside The LG Super Multi DVD ReWriter Adapter

Manufactured in China, this power adapter’s purpose is to convert AC current to DC and provide electricity at a lower voltage than that supplied by wall outlets.

The copper windings, visible at the bottom right, serve to help convert (or reduce) electrical current.

The transformer, meanwhile, assists by transfering electricity through magnetic fields. The transformer is the component wrapped in the protective sheath (with the “APD” lettering atop).

Cracking open an external DVD burner

Retaining Screws

Retaining Screws

Extracting the retaining screws at the rear compartment enables removal of the drive’s outer casing.

Cracking open an external DVD burner

The Outer Case Removed

The Outer Case Removed

Once the LG drive’s outer shell is removed, the drive is fully revealed. The exterior plastic shell, meanwhile, mostly serves cosmetic purposes (although it does help guard the drive’s metal skeleton from accidental shocks and static electricity discharges).

Cracking open an external DVD burner

The LG Super Multi DVD Drive

The LG Super Multi DVD Drive

Removing four Philips head screws (two on each side) and protective tape allows separation of the drive’s rear compartment (which contains connections for the data and power ports) from the main drive body.

Cracking open an external DVD burner

Rear Compartment Cover Removed

Rear Compartment Cover Removed

Once the rear compartment’s cover is removed, the circuit board that manages transferring data communications and power delivery is revealed. Here you can see a standard ribbon cable and Molex plug complete the data and electricity paths to the internal drive from the external case.

The lid, meanwhile, sits at the bottom of the frame.

Cracking open an external DVD burner

The Bottom Of The Case

The Bottom Of The Case

Turning attention to the case’s bottom reveals four Phillips head screws that require removal.

Cracking open an external DVD burner

The LG Drive's Underside Revealed

The LG Drive's Underside Revealed

Once the four Philips head screws are removed, the LG drive’s bottom-side is revealed.

Here two circuit boards can be seen. The large one (on the bottom) is responsible for managing drive operation, while the small board above assists in powering and opening the drive.

Also visible is the underside of the LG Innotek-manufactured mechanical motor’s main body (the silver plate with a gray ribbon cable and the W009A lettering.

Cracking open an external DVD burner

The Internal Drive

The Internal Drive

This view is looking at the drive’s internals from its underside. Once the main circuit board is eliminated, the drive’s main motor (and the slides upon which it travels) are clearly visible.

Cracking open an external DVD burner

The LG Drive's Mechanical Motor

The LG Drive's Mechanical Motor

Here’s a close up of the LG drive’s mechanical motor (and ribbon cable) after being removed from the drive.

Cracking open an external DVD burner

The Drive's Internals - Top Side View

The Drive's Internals - Top Side View

Here’s the view peering down into the LG DVD burner from the top side.

In addition to being able to see the actual laser head (the assembly that’s positioned upon the two slide bars), you can see the blue easement into which the mechanical motor used to sit before it was removed from the drive.

Cracking open an external DVD burner

The Laser Head

The Laser Head

Here’s a closeup of the LG drive’s laser head. This is the device that handled all the heavy lifting, from reading CDs and DVDs to writing and rewriting CDs and DVDs.

Cracking open an external DVD burner

The Complete LG Drive

The Complete LG Drive

A myriad number of components, plates, casings and circuits all go into building a simple external USB-powered CD/DVD burner.

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By Erik Eckel
Erik Eckel is a managing partner at Louisville Geek and president of Eckel Media Corp. He previously served as Executive Editor at CNET Networks' TechRepublic. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in English from the University of Louisville and received
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