Anyone here use an 'external' CD Drive? Success?

by AK - Jeff 16 Replies latest jw friends

  • AK - Jeff
    AK - Jeff

    My internal one is giving me probs. Still under warranty - but I discovered that dealing with the manufacturer is a massive pain in the a$$. I spent hours on the phone with people that speak Indian as thier main tongue. {No insult intended to anyone here - but they are hard to understand with my English ears}.

    I was given the option of having them send a tech - I would have to pay a fee they said. Or, they send me the part and I install. In that case I have to give them a CC number so that if I don't return the old one within 30 days they can charge me.

    I don't like either option.

    I see external units for $40 or so online - is this a good way to go.?

    Jeff [of the not too technical class]

    oops in the wrong catagory I see - sorry!

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  • Finally-Free
    Finally-Free

    I bought an external Backpack CD Burner a few years ago, and it was pretty expensive. It can be used on USB, parallel ports, or PCMCIA slots. I don't know what the prices are like now. I'd just buy an internal unit unless I needed to use it on multiple computers.

    I wouldn't give out a CC number either unless there was no other alternative. I'd rather use the opportunity to upgrade to a DVD burner. To hell with the warranty.

    W

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  • garybuss
    garybuss

    I have an older one made by HP that uses a parallel port. It was made for WIN 95 and I got drivers for Win 98. It's handy to use to get data from older computers without CD burners.

    My daily machine is a Dell Inspiron 8500. I use a USB2 Iomega 40 gig external hard drive for backup. I knew my post wasn't really related to your question. I just wanted to write something to ya. :smile:

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  • TD
    TD

    Probably not a good idea for your primary CD drive. (What happens if you need to install/reinstall your OS? -- I know some of the newer BIOS's recognize USB devices, but many don't)

    They can be real handy as a second CD drive though. They're especially nice with older laptops that don't have a R/RW drive built in.

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  • jgnat
    jgnat

    I have a PC clone, and it turns out the built-in (failed) CD would have to be replaced using a hacksaw through the plastic casing. Scratch that.

    So I bought an external CD burner that plugs in to my USB port. Again, "great" design, my PC has only one USB port. So I also bought a $9 7 port USB hub. If my PC "forgets" the devices are there, I simply unplug and replug them. Presto, restored service.

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  • AK - Jeff
    AK - Jeff
    I knew my post wasn't really related to your question. I just wanted to write something to ya. :smile:

    Well it was not totally unrelated either. Thanx.

    I am using a Compaq Presario - cheap computer, but I think I got what I paid for in some ways. The CD drive works for music, and data CD's like Bible encyclopedias, but won't read a game Cd that I like to use [Tiger Woods]. I took the Cd to my Dad's house and it worked fine there, so I know it is not the CD. HP/COmpaq thought I needed to reset the hard drive to original configurations [it worked when I bought it] - but then we discovered that the Backup Software is not right. So I spent a few more hours with Microsoft trying to download that - then when I did it still wont work right - otherwise I would just backup everything and go to the original settings.

    Very confusing for this non techie.

    Jeff

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  • TD
    TD

    Jeff,

    Compaq, Dell, Gateway and few others use standard face, easy to replace internal CD drives.

    (As opposed to Sony, eMachines and others that use custom face CD drives that integrate with the cabinet.)

    Why not just replace the internal drive? It's really not a technical nightmare at all.

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  • Beep,Beep
    Beep,Beep

    Yes I have an external Iomega usb 2.0 CD-RW drive. Easy to use, works great.

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  • FairMind
    FairMind

    I have an external LG CD drive that communicates with my HP-PC via a USB port. Cost me about $100. I use it to play and burn CDs and have not had a single problem.

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  • RubaDub
    RubaDub


    AK-Jeff

    I am not the most technical person in the world either but of things to repair on a computer, a basic CD is one of the easier things to do.

    Someone reading this may want to correct me, but all the CD's I have run accross have basically the same plug-in arrangement. I think it would be very difficult to install it incorrectly since they are three distinct items to plug in.

    The biggest challenge may be getting the case off. Some cases just have a few screws, other have some clips and things. However, your instruction manual (printed or online) should explain how to take it off.

    If you get the CD from the manufacturer, it should be no more than taking the case off, unscrewing and unplugging the old one and plugging in the new one and putting the case back on.

    I would personally try that first. What do you have to lose by trying? It really is not a tough thing to do.

    Rub a Dub

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