CD/DVD Rom Question

  • Thread starter Thread starter Diane
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Diane

I'm not very computer literate, so please bear with me. Recently my
CD/DVD Rom broke. I have an HP Pavilion. It's no longer under
warranty, so that's not an option.

What I need to know is this. Do they make replacements for this piece
of hardware and if so, where would I find my best price? If not, what
should I be looking for.

Primarily, I play computer games which require the use of a disk so I
think I need the CD component. Since my CD/DVD broke, I've been using
my CD-RW for the games, but I'm worried that this might cause a problem
for the CD-RW so I need to get the CD/DVD Rom replaced ASAP.

Could someone please tell me what I'm supposed to be looking for? I've
read so much material, but mostly what I've found talks about DVD
writers, and although I would love to have something like that, most
important is that I have the capability of playing my games. I just
need the DVD for movies.

TIA
Diane
 
Diane said:
I'm not very computer literate, so please bear with me. Recently my
CD/DVD Rom broke. I have an HP Pavilion. It's no longer under
warranty, so that's not an option.

What I need to know is this. Do they make replacements for this piece
of hardware and if so, where would I find my best price? If not, what
should I be looking for.
Click to expand...

CD/DVD readers/writers are quite standard, so you should have no problem
finding a functionally equivalent replacement. Some of the more
"stylish" cases may have special bezels (sculpted fixture on the front
of the drive tray) that you might not find in a replacement, or a
particularily custom color, but those are only aesthetic issues.

www.newegg.com has a lot of options. Here is one suggestion:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-152-039&depa=1

This is an inexpensive ($52) yet capable DVD burner that can even burn
dual-layered DVDs. (It also can burn CDs as well.) Since you have to
replace the drive, you might as well spring the extra $20 (a good CD
burner will cost about $30) to get a fully capable drive.

One thing worth noting is that this is an "OEM" pack, meaning that it
comes with very few extras such as cables or mounting screws. That's
not much of a problem for a straight drive replacement, but the lack of
software might be another concern.

If you were to upgrade to a DVD burner, you would need software that
could accomplish that for you -- I don't know if you already have a
suitable package. You can also consider buying a "Retail" kit that
might include a copy of Nero -- a top notch burning program. (The DVD
authoring programs that come with drives are typically crap though.)
Primarily, I play computer games which require the use of a disk so I
think I need the CD component. Since my CD/DVD broke, I've been using
my CD-RW for the games, but I'm worried that this might cause a problem
for the CD-RW so I need to get the CD/DVD Rom replaced ASAP.
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. I've put drives to a tremendous amount of use without
failure. Indeed the only "reliable" way to kill a drive is to smoke
around it.
Could someone please tell me what I'm supposed to be looking for? I've
read so much material, but mostly what I've found talks about DVD
writers, and although I would love to have something like that, most
important is that I have the capability of playing my games. I just
need the DVD for movies.
Click to expand...

As I mentioned above, getting a decent DVD burner is not very expensive.
Combined with the plummeting cost of DVD media, it requires quite a
bit of parsimony to make the DVD burner look unattractive.

NewEgg is the king, but you might also consider ZipZoomFly. I've had
tood experiences with them, their prices are competitive and free shipping!
 
Hi,

I've little to add from what Grinder has written, but I agree with him.
Newegg is an excellent source, and the NEC drive that he's recommending is
also a very nice piece of hardware. If you need software for it to make DVDs
(doesn't appear to come with any at the $52 price) then look for the same
NEC with software, such as NERO. It may cost you 5 - 10 dollars more but the
program is worth the money and quite easy to use.
 
I'm not very computer literate, so please bear with me. Recently my
CD/DVD Rom broke. I have an HP Pavilion. It's no longer under
warranty, so that's not an option.

What I need to know is this. Do they make replacements for this piece
of hardware and if so, where would I find my best price? If not, what
should I be looking for.

Primarily, I play computer games which require the use of a disk so I
think I need the CD component. Since my CD/DVD broke, I've been using
my CD-RW for the games, but I'm worried that this might cause a problem
for the CD-RW so I need to get the CD/DVD Rom replaced ASAP.

Could someone please tell me what I'm supposed to be looking for? I've
read so much material, but mostly what I've found talks about DVD
writers, and although I would love to have something like that, most
important is that I have the capability of playing my games. I just
need the DVD for movies.

TIA
Diane
Click to expand...

Ive bought from Zip Zoom Fly with no problems and they have free
shipping for mainlanders and charge only $10 for people in Hawaii so
it can be a incredible deal since shipping is ridiculous to this place
nullifying the good deals most of the time. However they tend to have
a bit higher prices which negates the shipping advantage on many
smaller items. The other proble
 
Diane said:
I'm not very computer literate, so please bear with me. Recently my
CD/DVD Rom broke. I have an HP Pavilion. It's no longer under
warranty, so that's not an option.

What I need to know is this. Do they make replacements for this piece
of hardware and if so, where would I find my best price? If not, what
should I be looking for.

Primarily, I play computer games which require the use of a disk so I
think I need the CD component. Since my CD/DVD broke, I've been using
my CD-RW for the games, but I'm worried that this might cause a problem
for the CD-RW so I need to get the CD/DVD Rom replaced ASAP.

Could someone please tell me what I'm supposed to be looking for? I've
read so much material, but mostly what I've found talks about DVD
writers, and although I would love to have something like that, most
important is that I have the capability of playing my games. I just
need the DVD for movies.

TIA
Diane
Click to expand...

I replaced both drives in my Pavilion, for increased speed and features.
Replacement was no problem; take out the old and put in the new. The
retail drive kits come with software. The DVD writer is a worthwhile
upgrade. Decide what you want and get it. I don’t think there are any
incompatibilities. Roxio software came with the Pavilion; I removed it
and went with Nero which I think is easier to use.

I got my drives at Micro Center. Sometimes the retail stores have
sales. What with the store rebate and the mail in rebate make them the
cheapest.
 
Ive bought from Zip Zoom Fly with no problems and they have free
shipping for mainlanders and charge only $10 for people in Hawaii so
it can be a incredible deal since shipping is ridiculous to this place
nullifying the good deals most of the time. However they tend to have
a bit higher prices which negates the shipping advantage on many
smaller items. The other problem
Click to expand...

is that many say their return service, RMA service --- isnt as good as
newegg so thats why some stick with Newegg despite the fact Newegg
doesnt always have the best prices anymore.

The NEC is dirt cheap $53-65 and is one of the top burners and very
popular . Its been that way through several versions. I bought the 4x
and now have the 8x. I was thinking recently of buying the 16x for the
heck of it since it was on sale.

One way you can get a retail version if you can wait and actually you
can as the poster said the CDRW isnt going to break just like that. I
actually have seen some ancient drives still working and actually have
never seen one break yet though I dont use really ancient drives
frankly but Ive upgraded from lots of neighbors systems and friends
and none of the old ancient drives and havent seen a dead one yet.
Back to my original point --- MADDOG uses NEC drives and have for a
while now (this could change but hasnt for a while way back to the 4x
) . MADDOG is sold through many chain stores like COMPUSA which often
has sales. They had one recently $49 for the NEC 16x after rebates.
You get the software with it. But the rebates can be hefty $50 or more
sometimes and MADDOG is well known nowadays for being REALLY slow at
paying though Ive never had a problem with them yet. Im waiting for
two of them now ---- they had a $10 350 power supply deal and a FREE
after rebate 350 power supply deal the last 4 months which I went for.
They are supposed to be OK PSes made by Flower or something I gather
from some posts Ive read. Unfortunately the sales are over now.

Compusa though has a sale every other week usually and especially on
holidays so look for those and Office Depot and Max often has sales on
burners though if its not a Maddog they often have inferior but often
OK burners in Micro Advantage and other boxes. Id rather have the NEC
though some have said the BenQ was a decent burner too which is often
sold in different boxes in chainstores.

Another alternative is the BenQ in fact since they are selling it at
Newegg for $58 after 10 buck rebate it says and its the retail version
so I assume it comes with software. Ask about that though before
buying to make sure.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=27-101-635&DEPA=0
 
I got my drives at Micro Center. Sometimes the retail stores have
sales. What with the store rebate and the mail in rebate make them the
cheapest.
Click to expand...

MC has been having some really killer deals the last year or so Im
jealous cause shipping kills the deal for me. They and FRYs combined
with Staples , compusa and sometimes even best buy are still offering
great deals recently after depot and max went down the tubes , deals
wise.
 
MC has been having some really killer deals the last year or so Im
jealous cause shipping kills the deal for me. They and FRYs combined
with Staples , compusa and sometimes even best buy are still offering
great deals recently after depot and max went down the tubes , deals
wise.
Click to expand...

Many thanks for all the wonderful replies. I'll take your advice and
look for the NEC. My dad uses Nero and raves about it. And, b/c he's
on dial up and their upgrades tend to be huge, I've burned the upgrades
for him, lol. So, seems to me that would be the way to go. And, thanks
for giving me comfort in knowing that I'm not going to wreck my CD
burner by playing games on it everyday. One replacement is about all I
can afford at the present time, not to mention I'd go into withdrawal if
I don't have access to my game play, lol.

You guys are great. I knew I came to the right place for help.

Diane
 
You said your computer was out of warranty. Did you buy it with a credit
card less than two years ago by any chance? I had the motherboard fail on
one of my HP Pavilions about 18 months after I purchased it. I was very
upset until I remembered that most VISA or Master Cards offer buyer
insurance. Sure enough, VISA paid $350 to get it fixed!!!
 
Hp Pavillions, like all branded computers, use a proprietary design CD/DVD
that has plastic externals that specifically match their case. You can only
purchase one of these from HP itself. General OEM units from a computer
store will not fit. Also HP charges an arm and a leg for replacement parts,
knowing you HAVE to buy it from them.
That's why I never buy branded computers and their proprietary parts.
 
DaveW said:
Hp Pavillions, like all branded computers, use a proprietary design CD/DVD
that has plastic externals that specifically match their case. You can
only purchase one of these from HP itself. General OEM units from a
computer store will not fit. Also HP charges an arm and a leg for
replacement parts, knowing you HAVE to buy it from them.
Click to expand...

Not so. I replaced a crap CD/RW in my HP Pavilion 742n with a Memorex
CD/RW. It works great. There was one brand at Circuit City where I bought
it that had two buttons on the front, making the eject button in the wrong
place but I could tell that by looking at the picture on the box. Just
check the front of the drive to make sure that it only has one eject button
on the front and not two.
 
Hp Pavillions, like all branded computers, use a proprietary design
CD/DVD that has plastic externals that specifically match their case.
You can only purchase one of these from HP itself. General OEM units
from a computer store will not fit. Also HP charges an arm and a leg
for replacement parts, knowing you HAVE to buy it from them.
That's why I never buy branded computers and their proprietary parts.
Click to expand...

OMG. So, you're saying that the NEC won't fit my computer? I'm ready to
place the order.

Diane
 
Not so. I replaced a crap CD/RW in my HP Pavilion 742n with a Memorex
CD/RW. It works great. There was one brand at Circuit City where I
bought it that had two buttons on the front, making the eject button
in the wrong place but I could tell that by looking at the picture on
the box. Just check the front of the drive to make sure that it only
has one eject button on the front and not two.
Click to expand...

Well, I'm looking at this one, and from the picture I can't see where the
button is, but this is the one I think was suggested as the best even
though it comes with Roxio. I probably will install Nero anyway. So, is
this one gonna work OK for me?

NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive, Black w/ Software, Model ND-3520A, OEM


$61.49

Model#: ND-3520A BLACK
Item#: N82E16827152038

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-152-038&depa=0

Diane
 
Diane said:
OMG. So, you're saying that the NEC won't fit my computer? I'm ready to
place the order.
Click to expand...

If you can take a picture of your computer, a close-up of the cdrom to
be replaced would be good, that might help. Or, if you can tell us the
model number, we might be able to find a picture somewhere on-line.
 
If you can take a picture of your computer, a close-up of the cdrom to
be replaced would be good, that might help. Or, if you can tell us
the model number, we might be able to find a picture somewhere
on-line.
Click to expand...

My computer is HP Pavilion model number a210n. thanks Grinder.

Diane
 
My computer is HP Pavilion model number a210n. thanks Grinder.

Diane
Click to expand...

I personally dont like branded PCs because of that too but generally
its pretty rare that a CDRW/DVD burner wont fit.

Ive replaced them in some emachines and some old packard bells and
other brands and the mounts were all standard.

The only problems Ive had was one the newer emachines they have the
drives cosmetics /faceplate custom made --- its silver and sticks out
and inch more and its not flat really curved in front. The problem was
when I put a standard flat face plate in the emachines it looked
really weird cause it wasnt silver and it was flat while the drive and
front panel above and below were curved and stuck out farther.

When I later used the emachines drives in an Antec case the drives fit
but the front stuck out so far that the door on the case wouldnt
close. It worked but once again looked slightly weird.

The front of your PC looks relatively flat as long as the side mounts
are standard it should work. Anything is possible though. With the
really small micro cases with built in video -- sometimes they think
of some ingenious ways to squish components into such a small space
and do have some really proprietary parts that help them save space.
 
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