A new DVD drive!

[Mr. Badguy]

Hey all,

So my dvd-drive's been running at a snail's pace for a while now. Lately though, it's up and decided that it isn't going to run my cd's anymore, period! So, I phoned up technical support and they've politely informed me that I've got to buy a new one (they only managed to mention that my warranty was expired about 20 times :rolleyes:).

Well, I'm on a budget, and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas about what brands/models/types etc. to buy? At most, I'm willing to spend around 200 bucks for a dvd r/w drive, and I'm not sure how much they typically go for. I've got a Dell XPS, around 3.5 ghz cpu power, a gig of ram and a Radeon X800 graphics card, just to give you all an idea of my system specs. I'd also really appreciate it if anyone could tell me the basics of installing a dvd-drive.

So, to recap...

I'd appreciate it if anyone could help me find a good dvd-drive around 200 bucks and give any advice on how to install it.

Cheers!
:chug:

[Pop music sucks]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827131264

It's really not that hard at all. Turn off the computer, turn the power switch on the power supply off, take out the plug on the power supply. Take off the case, pry (but don't force too hard) off the front plate. Unplug the power line and the IDE cable (you want to unplug it evenly so nothing is bent) from your current drive. Unscrew the support screws, slide the old DVD drive out. Slide in your new one, make sure the IDE cable is facing the right way, plug it in flatly (so no connections are bent), connect the power line in, and fasten the support screws into place. Then put the front case back on, and put the computer case back on.

[Lionheart1827]

Hey all,

So my dvd-drive's been running at a snail's pace for a while now. Lately though, it's up and decided that it isn't going to run my cd's anymore, period! So, I phoned up technical support and they've politely informed me that I've got to buy a new one (they only managed to mention that my warranty was expired about 20 times :rolleyes:).

Well, I'm on a budget, and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas about what brands/models/types etc. to buy? At most, I'm willing to spend around 200 bucks for a dvd r/w drive, and I'm not sure how much they typically go for. I've got a Dell XPS, around 3.5 ghz cpu power, a gig of ram and a Radeon X800 graphics card, just to give you all an idea of my system specs. I'd also really appreciate it if anyone could tell me the basics of installing a dvd-drive.

So, to recap...

I'd appreciate it if anyone could help me find a good dvd-drive around 200 bucks and give any advice on how to install it.

Cheers!
:chug:

Wow, you really think they are that much?

http://www.newegg.com

go go go.:thumb:

[bradc1988]

Yeah they arn't that expensive. I was looking at a few the other day and found a DVD R/W for $70, and that's Australian dollars.

[Mr. Badguy]

Woah! They were selling 'em at a Best Buy near my house for about 180 bucks!! Those highway robbers!

Thanks for the help, Pop (I agree, by the by :thumb:). I really appreciate all of the time you took to type me some instructions. *single tear forms in eye* :')

And that's looks to be a great site, Lion! Though your link seems to be broken.



Group hug, guys!!

[Pop music sucks]

Yeah man, seriously, check out that link also.

I've been using that dual layer burner for a long time.

[blueyxd]

I got a Benq DW 1640, a dvd burner which is highly recommended by nerds for $65 Australian.. but shop around, I saw the same burner in other shops for $160

It's an awsome burner - fast, very quiet, burns well, can burn Dual Layer DVD's (which cost about $8 each here...)

I think there's newer models out now, like 1650 or maybe even newer in USA if that's where you are.

[bradc1988]

I got a Benq DW 1640, a dvd burner which is highly recommended by nerds for $65 Australian.. but shop around, I saw the same burner in other shops for $160

It's an awsome burner - fast, very quiet, burns well, can burn Dual Layer DVD's (which cost about $8 each here...)

I think there's newer models out now, like 1650 or maybe even newer in USA if that's where you are.

Where'd you get yours from?

[Choked]

Hey all,

So my dvd-drive's been running at a snail's pace for a while now. Lately though, it's up and decided that it isn't going to run my cd's anymore, period! So, I phoned up technical support and they've politely informed me that I've got to buy a new one (they only managed to mention that my warranty was expired about 20 times :rolleyes:).

Well, I'm on a budget, and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas about what brands/models/types etc. to buy? At most, I'm willing to spend around 200 bucks for a dvd r/w drive, and I'm not sure how much they typically go for. I've got a Dell XPS, around 3.5 ghz cpu power, a gig of ram and a Radeon X800 graphics card, just to give you all an idea of my system specs. I'd also really appreciate it if anyone could tell me the basics of installing a dvd-drive.

So, to recap...

I'd appreciate it if anyone could help me find a good dvd-drive around 200 bucks and give any advice on how to install it.

Cheers!
:chug:
Dvd drives <3

[Mr. Badguy]

Dvd drives <3

I second that. :wave:

So, is Newegg.com where a lot of you guys order from? I walked to about 3 other electronics stores today and even their no-name brand drives were about 70 bucks! Geeze, man.

Getting ready to buy that drive that Pop pointed out, though. I'm just going to check around the website a bit more.

[Rats!]

NEC, BenQ, and Lite-On/Sony all make good DVD burners. I have a NEC NR-3550A in this computer and NR-2500A in my other computer, they both kick ***.