Alternative IDE replacement for 3DO laser lens/disc drive

[Azathoth]

Today I had a replacement 3DO laser lens arrive that I was hoping to fix my console with. Either the lens was dead out of the box (most likely) or needed the pot tweaked on it to work, which is something I didn't even want to fool with. Frustrated with the whole thing I decided to check on an IDE CD-ROM I had salvaged from a decades old 486. I had completely ignored it before, since everything I had read online said you needed to use a specific model number (CR-563-B), but figured it would be worth a last ditch effort.

 

Turns out this thing is a complete drop in solution. All the connectors match up 1:1, all you have to do is pull the old PCB off your original 3DO drive and mount it on this one. This drive number is CR-572-B. The drive motor, gears, lens, everything is exactly the same as the original 3DO drive. I figured I'd post this model number since I've never seen anyone mention it anywhere.

Edited March 18, 2021 by Azathoth

[Taijigamer]

That’s great info. Thanks. I’m surprised no one has explored other creative labs MKE drives besides the CR-563-B. That’s great there’s another alternative source of optical drive replacements. 

[SwanSong]

This could be good news, my drive is shot in my system and I prefer not to take apart my other working one 

[SwanSong]

I made a offer on a few new ones, hopfully they work, my rebuilt unit needs a drive and i dont want to tear apart a good one i got.