I have an IBM Thinkpad R30 Type 2656-20U
(http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/product.do?template=/product.do?template=%2Fproductpage%2Flandingpages%2FproductPageLandingPage.vm&sitestyle=lenovo&brandind=10&familyind=50326&machineind=89077&modelind=89167&partnumberind=0&subcategoryind=0&doctypeind=100&doccategoryind=0&operatingsystemind=53385&validate=true)

A while back, Windows stopped responding, and it wouldn't start up
again. I got the impression that somehow communication between the HDD
and the motherboard was being interrupted, because this would usually
occur when I touched or slightly put pressure on the chassis of the
laptop in the area of the HDD. In any case, I have recently tried to
re-install Windows on this machine, but after many attempts and much
experimentation with, for example, Damn Small Linux, BART PE, etc, it
appears to me that the CD-ROM is definitely broken, as it is
unresponsive most of the time (CD's do not spin up at all, or
occasionally very very slowly). Therefore, my question has a few parts
to it:

1) Where can I buy a new CD-ROM drive for this machine (I'm in
Montreal, Canada)? Preferably cheap.

2) Is there any way, preferably with a utility in Damn Small Linux (as
I am able to boot with this with a USB floppy and a USB memory stick),
or with a Frugal installation of DSL on the HDD (as I was also able to
install it as my OS) for me to do some hardware checks on my HDD and
motherboard, in case they are also defective?

3) If I come to the conclusion that my HDD is defective, where can I
get another one? Again, the cheaper the better.

Thanks! Please do not hesitate to ask for a clarification if there you
need any more details.

CD-ROM: Your going to need an IBM Thinkpad R30 cd-rom cause IBM
doesn't use generaitic parts for the outside of the laptop. If you
call IBM they can give you a quote from them which is a good base
line. If that's too price for you then ebay  is your best bet.

HDD: Replacing the HDD should prove less trouble. Looking on
google.local a couple of likley spots came up

Microcontext Inc
(514) 279-5114
4835 AVENUE DU PARC
MONTRÉAL, QC H2V 4E7
(No much on the website but claim to have laptop parts)

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/ - usally has very cheap bits
http://www.mdg.ca/ - sells computer parts if you go in and ask them
(There website has show two locations in Montreal)


Hope this Helps