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    Need an external optical drive.

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Coolioguylio, Mar 28, 2008.

  1. Coolioguylio

    Coolioguylio Notebook Consultant

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    okay, the drive that came in this computer ain't cutting it. I want an external that will hook up via usb. I probably want 16x dvd speed. I am only getting 2 now and I can have anything higher then 16x or else it wont be compatible. please help me pick out a good one.
     
    Coolioguylio, Mar 28, 2008
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  2. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    I dont think the bandwidth of USB can take 16 x burning. 16x burning is quite a lot of data to be transferred over a USB hub.
    I would look into getting a fast optical drive for your system, which utilizes the ata bus. Almost every laptop cd drive is changeable.
    I would look into the Pioneer DVR-K17
    http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/BusinessProducts/Blu-rayDisc+DVDWriters/DVDComputerWriters/DVR-K17

    This drive will let you burn 8x DVD's and 4x dvd DL from the insides of your laptop.


    Here is an external one, with better specs than you suggested (the 16 and 18x drives have poor reviews)
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827140024

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Mar 29, 2008
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  3. Coolioguylio

    Coolioguylio Notebook Consultant

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    my discs can only do 16x. How would I hook it up to the ata bsu or w.e
     
    Coolioguylio, Mar 29, 2008
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  4. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

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    Can you explain that? I am not aware of discs that can't be burned slower only faster? :confused:
     
    powerpack, Mar 29, 2008
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  5. redrazor11

    redrazor11 Formerly waterwizard11

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    Yea, if your disks are rated for 16x, that normally means they can do a max of 16x, but also 8x, 4x, 2x, and probably 1x if you had to.
     
    redrazor11, Mar 29, 2008
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  6. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    I think he means: how do I hook it up to the ata bus without an external.

    Okay, first you need to remove your optical drive from your laptop.
    If its a dell, you can either remove the optical drive from one screw on the bottom, or the cd drive pops out with a push lever.

    Once you get the optical drive out, you will see that there is a plastic or metal cage which screws to the cd drive.
    Take that off, and you will see a bare notebook optical drive.
    It will look something like this:
    http://www.lbpstudios.com/DVR-K06.jpg

    http://thumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp/@0_gold/arpanetsystem/dvrk06.jpg

    Once you get it to look like something in these pictures, then you can order the pioneer dvr-k17 or another internal high speed dvd burner.
    Then you simply screw the new burner into the optical drive shell, and insert it back into your notebook.

    It is a simple process, it will only take about 10 minutes

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Mar 29, 2008
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  7. Coolioguylio

    Coolioguylio Notebook Consultant

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    i just want an external drive, I need to use it for multiple computers. Please jsut gimme oen thatll get at a speed above 4x. The one I have is rated at 8x but it doesnt dot hat connected internally, I need one via usb.
     
    Coolioguylio, Mar 29, 2008
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  8. R4000

    R4000 Notebook Virtuoso

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    R4000, Mar 29, 2008
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  9. Coolioguylio

    Coolioguylio Notebook Consultant

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    How fast does it burn? Also, heres my question. My DVD Roms are -R. On the front they advrestise up to 16x compatible. Does that mean that if my external drive is faster then that, it won't be compatible OR does it mean that that is its max. speed?
     
    Coolioguylio, Mar 30, 2008
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  10. wackydude1234

    wackydude1234 Notebook Evangelist

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    from the title it looks fast..
     
    wackydude1234, Mar 30, 2008
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  11. Coolioguylio

    Coolioguylio Notebook Consultant

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    yeah but sometimes things trick you. Anyway, anyone know the answer to my question? (My DVD Roms are -R. On the front they advrestise up to 16x compatible. Does that mean that if my external drive is faster then that, it won't be compatible OR does it mean that that is its max. speed?)
     
    Coolioguylio, Mar 30, 2008
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  12. wackydude1234

    wackydude1234 Notebook Evangelist

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    it means that it can only be written up to 16x so you just need to turn down the speed on the thing that's writting to it, there's always an option about speed.
     
    wackydude1234, Mar 30, 2008
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  13. Coolioguylio

    Coolioguylio Notebook Consultant

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    Thank you very much. How can I turn down the speed?
     
    Coolioguylio, Mar 30, 2008
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  14. R4000

    R4000 Notebook Virtuoso

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    You usually have that option in the program you are burning with........
     
    R4000, Mar 30, 2008
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  15. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

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    When you try and burn it should sense what can be done and offer that option. You do not need a 16X to burn on 16X disc's they can always burn slower just not faster.
     
    powerpack, Mar 30, 2008
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  16. Coolioguylio

    Coolioguylio Notebook Consultant

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    true thanks
     
    Coolioguylio, Mar 30, 2008
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  17. hydra

    hydra Breaks Laptops

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    hydra, Mar 30, 2008
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  18. R4000

    R4000 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yep, I like LG drives as well. I had intended to get one but NewEgg was out of stock at the time, so I went with the Liteon.
     
    R4000, Mar 31, 2008
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  19. Coolioguylio

    Coolioguylio Notebook Consultant

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    Did your first one break?
     
    Coolioguylio, Mar 31, 2008
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