ACER TM 8471G Cannot remove DVD drive

[taralaur]

Hello,

I've been trying to remove my optical drive, but I simply cannot find whatever it is that is keeping it in place. I have removed all screws in the area, I have looked under the WLAN cover (and even under the unit), under the RAM over and units, under the HDD cover, and behind the battery, All to no avail.
I have looked in the service manual (http/tim.id.au/laptops/acer/travelmate%208471%208431.pdf), but is simply tells you to remove the drive, not how to release it.

Help?!

 

[tman1]

post a picture of the bottom with covers removed

 

[taralaur]

Photo: https/spideroak.com/browse/share/Tara/photo
One with and one without the covers. I have put red marks next to the screws I removed

 

[tman1]

Not high res photos, hard to see any detail. Anyways, along the edge after the RAM cover is removed, there is usually a screw in that area that secures the optical drive - again, I can't really tell if anything is there due to the quality of the pictures.

 

[taralaur]

Sorry about the photo quality. I did some new shots with my proper camera (as opposed to my phone) and uploaded them to the same place (as far as I can tell this forum does not allow photo uploads?).
There is a very short screw where I am holding the screwdriver in one shot; under the RAM cover. However, removing this did not release the drive. Under the actual RAM there was only protective stickers covering the circuit board, no screws there

 

[taralaur]

Also, the service manual gives you an overview of how to disassemble the unit (from page 40) with photos, however they do for some reason not tell you how to release the drive

 

[tman1]

Looked at the same manual, looks like they simply pull it out. Appears to be a small tab on the back with a screw hole, but it doesnt mention removing any for it. It's possible that the manual is wrong and that you may have to remove the keyboard to get to the screw that holds it in place.

 

[taralaur]

Heureka! Thanks a million, it was right under the keyboard. I'd been trawling forums and not one mentioned the option of it being there.
Now, my plan is to get a HDD caddy and have a SDD/HDD combo, but it might be hard to find a caddy that also attaches like that?

 

[taralaur]

Upon closer inspection, strike that last question. There is a small bracket on the drive that I can transfer