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    External DVD/CD Writers for notebooks

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by ravenmorpheus, May 9, 2007.

  1. ravenmorpheus

    ravenmorpheus Notebook Deity

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    Hi there

    I recently purchased a Packard Bell Easynote E6310 and I just found out that the DVD-ROM/CD-RIOM drive isn't a writer, even though the PB website says it should be?

    It's a secondhand notebook so I'm not too bothered, but what I'm wondering is - can I just buy any old external DVD/CD writer and connect it and use it as long as it has a USB connection?

    Thanx in advance for any help/advice :)
     
    ravenmorpheus, May 9, 2007
    #1
  2. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    It is second hand, but how old? Does it have USB 2.0? (Device Manager should list a USB 2 host controller if it has). Assuming it has USB 2.0 then you can just plug in any external optical drive which has a USB connector. If you computer has USB 1.1 ports then you should also buy a PCMCIA / PC card USB 2.0 adaptor. Otherwise the performance of the optical drive will be restricted to something quite slow (4x ? CD).

    If you want portability, you can get slim-line external optical drives.

    Or you could be a little more adventurous and replace your internal optical drive with an up-to-date model.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, May 9, 2007
    #2
  3. SideSwipe

    SideSwipe Notebook Virtuoso

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    yup you can get whatever USB writer you want but would just be best to get one that isnt a decade old ;) you could also buy a normal DVD writer from a desktop PC and use a USB enclosure for it. that way it might cost less and give you a wider choice of drives.
     
    SideSwipe, May 9, 2007
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  4. ravenmorpheus

    ravenmorpheus Notebook Deity

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    Yeah it has a USB 2.0 port, well four actually :) It's only about 3 years old, PB has it listed in their 2004-2005 E6 range, as well having it listed with a CD-RW writer, which it hasn't got?

    Not overly impressed that it's not entirely matching the spec listed on the site - Media drive wise anyway, everything else seem to be kosha.
     
    ravenmorpheus, May 9, 2007
    #4