CD drive is fubared

Cloud · 06-29-2008, 08:43 PM

Should it be a simple matter to get it replaced? Are there choices I should be aware of?

Y'all are sooo helpful on these questions!

Undertoad · 06-29-2008, 08:58 PM

Simple and cheap. What model of PC?

Cloud · 06-29-2008, 09:00 PM

Dell.

Undertoad · 06-29-2008, 09:08 PM

With a replacement drive, do you want to play DVDs? Do you want to burn CDs? Do you want to burn DVDs? Do you want "lightscribe", a technology that uses the laser to "burn" the label side of the CD with a reasonable label?

Cloud · 06-29-2008, 09:15 PM

burn cds would be nice--don't need the other stuff.

Clodfobble · 06-29-2008, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

Do you want "lightscribe", a technology that uses the laser to "burn" the label side of the CD with a reasonable label?

OOOOH. What a useful idea.

Undertoad · 06-29-2008, 09:21 PM

Which Dell is it? Dimension..?

Cloud · 06-29-2008, 09:25 PM

Dimension 8400.

I can't install it myself, so I will have to take it in to a computer doc. Does the drive need to be ordered?

mbpark · 06-29-2008, 09:45 PM

Hello,

You'll really want to get the $30 one from Newegg (Dual Layer IDE burner) like below. It will work fine and match your case.

Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106226

While you're at it, if you have less than 1GB RAM, get 4 512MB DDR RAM chips. You'll be much better off for it. They are here for:

http://www.18004memory.com/focuscfg....26925&mfgID=31

$25.00 each for the name brand (which is well worth it considering Dells don't like the non-name brand stuff).

Considering that a total bill of approx. $130 + Shipping + 20 minutes for a PC Tech to put all this in is still less than the store, you'll be much happier!

Mitch

Undertoad · 06-29-2008, 09:54 PM

Mitch is right, but if you don't want DVD this item is $9 less.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106084

This is a pretty simple procedure and I bet we could walk you through it, if you wanted. It only requires one phillips head screwdriver.

Flint · 06-29-2008, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Cup holder is fubared

I fixed your thread title.

monster · 06-30-2008, 11:52 AM

Fuba Red would be a great name for a Crayola color.

tw · 07-02-2008, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud

Dell.

How do you know its the drive and not driver software? This is why Dell provides hardware diagnostics. Diagnostics boot from the hard drive in a selection before Windows boots. I believe the option appears when pressing (repeatedly) F5 or F8 or F12 before that Windows splash screen appears (can't remember which key so I usually press each repeatedly).

Of course, you probably want the burner anyway. But best is to perform the diagnostics once before anything fails - to see how to get them and see how all hardware gets confirmed.

06-29-2008, 08:43 PM	#1
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	CD drive is fubared Should it be a simple matter to get it replaced? Are there choices I should be aware of? Y'all are sooo helpful on these questions! __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

06-29-2008, 09:00 PM	#3
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	Dell. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

06-29-2008, 09:15 PM	#5
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	burn cds would be nice--don't need the other stuff. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

06-29-2008, 09:25 PM	#8
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	Dimension 8400. I can't install it myself, so I will have to take it in to a computer doc. Does the drive need to be ordered? __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

06-29-2008, 09:45 PM	#9
mbpark Lecturer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Carmel, Indiana Posts: 761	for a Dimension 8400 Hello, You'll really want to get the $30 one from Newegg (Dual Layer IDE burner) like below. It will work fine and match your case. Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106226 While you're at it, if you have less than 1GB RAM, get 4 512MB DDR RAM chips. You'll be much better off for it. They are here for: http://www.18004memory.com/focuscfg....26925&mfgID=31 $25.00 each for the name brand (which is well worth it considering Dells don't like the non-name brand stuff). Considering that a total bill of approx. $130 + Shipping + 20 minutes for a PC Tech to put all this in is still less than the store, you'll be much happier! Mitch

06-29-2008, 08:58 PM	#2
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Simple and cheap. What model of PC?

06-29-2008, 09:08 PM	#4
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	With a replacement drive, do you want to play DVDs? Do you want to burn CDs? Do you want to burn DVDs? Do you want "lightscribe", a technology that uses the laser to "burn" the label side of the CD with a reasonable label?

06-29-2008, 09:21 PM	#7
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Which Dell is it? Dimension..?

06-29-2008, 09:54 PM	#10
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Mitch is right, but if you don't want DVD this item is $9 less. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106084 This is a pretty simple procedure and I bet we could walk you through it, if you wanted. It only requires one phillips head screwdriver.

06-30-2008, 11:52 AM	#12
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	Fuba Red would be a great name for a Crayola color. __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

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