I think I've killed my CDRW drive...
Discussion
Been leaning a bit heavily on it of late, what with ripping a stack of CDs to mp3. Anyway, long story short, all of a sudden it's started skipping and going crazy. Could this just be due to overuse, or is it about to pop it's clogs? It still seems able to play mpeg files from CDR, but falls over when ripping CDs. Odd.
Thinking about replacing it with a combined DVDR writer, but to be honest I'm not that sure about taking my PC apart! How easy is it to whip out the old drive and pop in a new one?
Thinking about replacing it with a combined DVDR writer, but to be honest I'm not that sure about taking my PC apart! How easy is it to whip out the old drive and pop in a new one?
Cleaned the lens - should've mentioned that! Seems to work for a bit, then it goes all jumpy again.
Presumably replacing the drive is simply a case of whipping off the case, taking out the old drive and popping in a new one, presuming the slot is a universal size? Would PC manufacturers make something THAT simple?!
Presumably replacing the drive is simply a case of whipping off the case, taking out the old drive and popping in a new one, presuming the slot is a universal size? Would PC manufacturers make something THAT simple?!
The slot is indeed universal.. (as long as it isn't one of those horrible slot type drives with a weird facia panel!)
Exactly the procedure you mention..
Making sure of course that the jumpers on the drive are set correctly, but the distructions will let you know what they need to be..
W
Exactly the procedure you mention..
Making sure of course that the jumpers on the drive are set correctly, but the distructions will let you know what they need to be..
W
slinksport said:
The slot is indeed universal.. (as long as it isn't one of those horrible slot type drives with a weird facia panel!)
W
Ah. The case DOES has a weird facia panel - found a piccy of the exact PC on Ebay :-
There is an unused slot (between CD Rom and floppy) that looks standard size, so I'm guessing I could slot a new drive in there.
As for discharging static, and I admit I'm being a tad ignorant here, what's the best way to do it?
rip the old CDD out and pop it in the old hole.. job done..
Discharge of static. a number of different ways of doing it, I tend to just leave the machine plugged in but turned off at the mains and let the earth do it's job.. I may well be corrected on that one though!
Grabbing radiators is also a favourite!
Discharge of static. a number of different ways of doing it, I tend to just leave the machine plugged in but turned off at the mains and let the earth do it's job.. I may well be corrected on that one though!
Grabbing radiators is also a favourite!
hornet said:
The slot is indeed universal.. (as long as it isn't one of those horrible slot type drives with a weird facia panel!)
W
Ah. The case DOES has a weird facia panel - found a piccy of the exact PC on Ebay :-
There is an unused slot (between CD Rom and floppy) that looks standard size, so I'm guessing I could slot a new drive in there.
As for discharging static, and I admit I'm being a tad ignorant here, what's the best way to do it?
It looks like the front panel is sculpted but once thats off you'll have a standard drive
mrflibbles said:
Its an absolute piece of the proverbial.
1. Discharge static
2. Open case
2a. Blow at all the dust.
2b. Cough then sneeze.
3. Unscrew and unplug old drive.
3b. Remove all remaining panels in case to find the elusive screw holding the drive in place
3c. Discover drive will slide through apeture.
3d. Unscrew drive sub-chassis
3e. Drop screw onto motherboard.
3f. Wonder if using a magnetic scredriver to retrieve screw is a good idea.
3g. Ah, what the hell.
4. Plug and screw in newdrive.
4a. Scratch head and chin wondering why drive sub chassis will no longer fit.
4b. Resort to brute force and ignorance.
5. Close case.
6. Wonder what the screw you have left over is for.
7. Shrug and turn on pc.
8. If no bangs, pops or smoke consider the swap a success.
It is a doddle really
ledger said:If the laptop has a swappable drive and you intend to have it for a while then you could buy the appropriate part.
I have a work provided laptop (the on computer I have) and although it had a CD ROM drive want a CD writer. I can't replace any parts, but was thinking of getting an external CR (or maybe DVD) writer.
However, as you suggested, an external drive is really your only option. But you do have the advantage of being able to continue using it after you give back your laptop (assuming you buy a computer of some sort, obviously)
USB2.0 will be fast enough, but USB1.1 will be a bit slow. Firewire will also be ok too.
Many external drives support both Firewire and USB2.0 and are the most versatile for reuse.
hornet said:
Thinking about replacing it with a combined DVDR writer, but to be honest I'm not that sure about taking my PC apart! How easy is it to whip out the old drive and pop in a new one?
They are exactly the same size and with the same connections. So if you do a swap out, there should be no problem. Just remember where the leads go, eg one ribbon cable to you motherboard and one audio lead to your soundcard or however your PC is laid out. You may alos need to check the little 'jumpers' on the back depending on whether it's in primary or secondary position. But keep your head and I'm sure you'll do it.
Even I can do it!
JonRB said:
I have a work provided laptop (the on computer I have) and although it had a CD ROM drive want a CD writer. I can't replace any parts, but was thinking of getting an external CR (or maybe DVD) writer.
If the laptop has a swappable drive and you intend to have it for a while then you could buy the appropriate part.
However, as you suggested, an external drive is really your only option. But you do have the advantage of being able to continue using it after you give back your laptop (assuming you buy a computer of some sort, obviously)
USB2.0 will be fast enough, but USB1.1 will be a bit slow. Firewire will also be ok too.
Many external drives support both Firewire and USB2.0 and are the most versatile for reuse.
Thanks, how do I tell what veersion of ESB the laptop is running (it's running windows 2000).
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