Easy to replace DVD burner ?

[bcarwell]

I have a Fry's desktop computer with a DVD burner in it. Its about 3
years old and after burning 20 DVDs today it looks like the DVD drive
has crapped out (it plays DVD movies but doesn't recognize CDROM, music

CDs, or blank CDs for burning, even after reboot).

First question: is there anything I can try (like a lens cleaner) ?
Reinstall ?
Is this a normal failure mode (e.g. DVD movies play but doesn't
recognize
other discs- commercial, different brands, etc.


Second question: how involved is it to replace with a new DVD burner ?
I know all about Master, Slave, cables, etc. and how to physically
install.


But what concerns me is: (1) will I have to go through some sort of
dance with Microsoft thinking my computer is different (I have XP Home)

or does changing a DVD burner out not trigger anything with the
operating system; and
(2) what's the deal with the
burning software and drivers ? I have several applications installed
that burn (Adobe Encore, Nero, several video editing programs like
Pinnacle Studio, Adobe Premier, etc.). Am I going to have to reinstall

all those applications ? Or just a driver for the new drive (the
manual for the new drive I think doesn't say it has a driver per se but

it came bundled with burning application software that I presume has
the drivers).


Please note that the new DVD drive is a different brand than the one
that's apparently broken and supports dual layer whereas the original
broken one was only single layer and different brand. The new one
doesn't have to be configured for dual layer as I never use dual layer
disks, if that matters.


Any advice would be much appreciated before I take it in to Fry's. I'm

capable of getting under the hood since I've replaced memory, hard
drives, cards, etc. a lot. I just haven't ever done so in Windows XP
and haven't replaced a DVD drive with so many applications depending on

it for burning, so I don't know the driver story. I don't care if the
new drive is optimized to the greatest driver or how fast it burns.


Thanks for any help.


Bob

 

[Cari \(MS-MVP\)]

First a DVD drive uses different lasers for the CD side and the DVD side so
it is quite possible the CD side laser has died.

Replacing a drive should be easy. Ensure you put the new drive to the same
jumper setting as the old drive, then connect the cables (power and
ribbon)..... then startup the PC. Everything should be recognized and XP
should not have any difficulty with the new drive.

Changing one single optical drive should not give any problems with
reactivation.

 

[bcarwell]

Wow ! Thanks for the quick, clear, and encouraging response Cari.
I'll have at it tonight. I assume I don't need
to <un>install the drive or any software, correct ?

- Bob

 

[Newtechie]

No sir. Just take out the old drive and put in the new one - that easy!
Your software will remain untouched. Good luck

 

[Chuck]

"Your software will remain untouched"
It may not work with a new drive, since some OEM supplied software (Nero
6.6x) is OEM specific. If this might be the case, check carefully the new
drive's included software.