replace cdrw for a dvdrw

[jeffhaskeft]

i would like to replace my cdrw for a dvdrw how easy is it to do this can i do this myself or am i better off getting a pc shop to do it and roughly how much would it cost to do this
cheers lads

[philk]

What you need to do is:

Remove the case;
Remove the cables from the current drive (should be at least 2, possibly 3 - one grey cable about 2 inches wide, one power cable made up of a number of coloured cables and a white end on it and possibly a small grey cable with a black end on it);
Unscrew the old drive (usually 4 screws, 2 each side);
Remove the drive;
Check the back of the current drive for jumper settings (little groups of pins with a plastic block over some of them) - make sure you set the new drive to the same as the old one (i.e. if its master now make sure the new one is set to master, if its slave now make sure the new one is set to slave - dont assume that the pin patterns on the new one and old one will be the same but there is usually a little label on the top of the drive to tell you which pins are for each);
Insert the new drive;
Screw it into place (make sure it is flush at the front before screwing it into place;
Insert the cables again (there is a right and wrong way for all the cables so dont force them - generally the power one is self explanatory and the wide grey one generally will only go in one way but if it will go in either way then make sure the little red line on the cable is closest to the power supply);
Replace the case;
Start the computer.

If you have followed the above you shouldnt need to change any BIOS settings or install any drivers (unless you have a really old OS) - if you decide not to install the CD burning software which comes with the drive you might have to update the version of your CD burning software to recognise the drive!

Hope this helps and if not feel free to email me!

Jason

[Holden MacGroyn]

The other version is just replace everything you remove from the back of the CDRW to the back of the DVDRW.

I'm getting one next week and I seriously recommend the Pioneer 106.

[philk]

hmmm yeah mine is a bit long winded but its a true idiots guide! lol

I would agree with your recommendation about the Pioneers - other decent makes are Liteon and Sony. If you do get one try and get a multi format one (DVD/+RW and -RW) if possible so no matter which way the format wars go you shouldt lose out!

Jason

[Holden MacGroyn]

I think the 106 is dual format, or so I have been led to believe.
It's the first and last OEM I buy.
Feel funky as I've just installed a second hard drive.
120g Seagate.
But why does it show as 111g usuable!!
Bastards.

[philk]

Yup it is dual format and bloody cheap too - OEM its about ?75 exc P&P and VAT! I paid nearly ?300 for my Sony less than 12 months ago!

When all hard drives are formatted you lose a chunk of it for some unknown reason (oops, cant remember why! dont tell my boss lol) - my 200Gb disk, for example, only has 187.9Gb usuable!

Jason

[jeffhaskeft]

thanks guys.
i bought my pc from pcworld its an e-machine which dvdrw would best suit this machine?
a friend of mine said that with some shop built pc's you can have problems up grading them will i have a problem thanks again

[philk]

As far as I know E-Machines is PC Worlds budget brand which means it is using standard OEM / clone parts which is great news for someone wanting to upgrade

Your mate is right in that some big brands (Dell, Compaq, IBM etc) use proprietary components or mounting rails so you have to go back to them to get the parts for the upgrade and pay more but I "think" you should be ok!

Which one is down to you really - the Pioneer is a great drive at under ?100 all in you will struggle to get a better deal!

jason

[jeffhaskeft]

thanks jason and holden

[jeffhaskeft]

hi jason, me again
ive looked on pcworld's web site and there is a sony dvdrw+/- for ?100
do you think that that is a good deal and would it be suitable?