DVD drive

[unhappyuser]

I have a VGC-V2S & the DVD drive is not working properly. I have contacted Sony to see about purchasing a new one as it’s a bespoke drive. The PC is out of warranty & I want to pay to have a new DVD drive. Now Sony has said I need to send the whole pc to have it “serviced” to be able to get a new one. It’s not a hard job to change over drives & I am more than capable to do this. So why don’t they sell the parts, is it a money making scam? I cannot afford to have my pc away having it “serviced” the pc is in constant use, why should i pay for the extra carriage & insurance for a "service" it does not need.
Has anybody else had this problem & a have a solution?

[Blencogo]

I don't think it is a bespoke drive, it is just a normal laptop slimline DVD+/-RW.

If you are out of warranty just get a local computer engineer to replace the drive - it will cost you half the price of a Sony replacement.

If you are unlucky enough to have a Sony DW-D56A drive (which is just a rebadged LiteOn SOSW-852S) you will also get a far more reliable drive. The DW-D56A has a terrible reputation.