Replacing DVD drive

[Don Phillipson]

Symptoms of Compaq type SE=6128 DVD-ROM (probably OEM
i.e. nearly 10 years old in Compaq Presario desktop, using WinXP):
1. DVD drive OK at boot but some hours later fails to read a disk;
revives OK after reboot.
2. If a disk is in place at reboot, Windows hangs while trying to
read it.

I guess some component is wearing out so I will replace the
drive. Questions:
1. Which brands are the most reliable? LG now seems commonest.
2. Should I instal another DVD-ROM or a DVD R/W drive? I never
yet suffered by inability to write DVDs, but presumably the R/W
drive has more components to malfunction or misalign . . .

 

[Jan Alter]

Symptoms of Compaq type SE=6128 DVD-ROM (probably OEM
i.e. nearly 10 years old in Compaq Presario desktop, using WinXP):
1. DVD drive OK at boot but some hours later fails to read a disk;
revives OK after reboot.
2. If a disk is in place at reboot, Windows hangs while trying to
read it.

I guess some component is wearing out so I will replace the
drive. Questions:
1. Which brands are the most reliable? LG now seems commonest.
2. Should I instal another DVD-ROM or a DVD R/W drive? I never
yet suffered by inability to write DVDs, but presumably the R/W
drive has more components to malfunction or misalign . . .

If you would go to Newegg and start reading some user reviews of the DVD R/W
drives you should get a decent picture of which models are preferred. Cost
is almost insignificant to getting a more versatile writable drive rather
than an only readable one. My own preferences are towards Sony Optiarc
drives, since they stem from NEC, which was apparently bought out by Sony.
There are many companies that make reliable models, including Plextor
(though always costing a bit more).

 

[Rene Lamontagne]

Symptoms of Compaq type SE=6128 DVD-ROM (probably OEM
i.e. nearly 10 years old in Compaq Presario desktop, using WinXP):
1. DVD drive OK at boot but some hours later fails to read a disk;
revives OK after reboot.
2. If a disk is in place at reboot, Windows hangs while trying to
read it.

I guess some component is wearing out so I will replace the
drive. Questions:
1. Which brands are the most reliable? LG now seems commonest.
2. Should I instal another DVD-ROM or a DVD R/W drive? I never
yet suffered by inability to write DVDs, but presumably the R/W
drive has more components to malfunction or misalign . . .

Hi Don, matter of fact I just replaced mine yesterday!!! the tray on my
5 year old Aopen would not open after it sat overnight, Had to use a
pushpin to open it.

I replaced it with an LG GH22LP20 purchased at Futureshop for
$39.95CDN.It gets pretty decent reviews as does the Sansung SH S223,
Both have Lightscribe which I probabaly won't use anyway.

Regards, Rene

 

[Patty]

Symptoms of Compaq type SE=6128 DVD-ROM (probably OEM
i.e. nearly 10 years old in Compaq Presario desktop, using WinXP):
1. DVD drive OK at boot but some hours later fails to read a disk;
revives OK after reboot.
2. If a disk is in place at reboot, Windows hangs while trying to
read it.

I guess some component is wearing out so I will replace the
drive. Questions:
1. Which brands are the most reliable? LG now seems commonest.
2. Should I instal another DVD-ROM or a DVD R/W drive? I never
yet suffered by inability to write DVDs, but presumably the R/W
drive has more components to malfunction or misalign . . .

I have both a DVD-ROM (Asus) and a DVD-RW (Pioneer). I did as one other
persone recommneded, I read reviews of various drives before I made my
choice. I've been very happy with what I have, in the past I have also
purchased Sony and TDK (CD-RW). As far as I'm concerned, most drives are
pretty reliable.

As far as whether to do with a DVD-ROM or a DVD-RW is just a matter of
preference and what you want to be able to do. If you want to record DVDs
then of course you don't want the DVD-ROM, if you only plan on reading DVDs
then the DVD-ROM is probably sufficient. As far as more parts wearing out,
I've found that my DVD-RW drives lasted just as long as my DVD-ROM drives.

Patty

 

[Flasherly]

Symptoms of Compaq type SE=6128 DVD-ROM (probably OEM
i.e. nearly 10 years old in Compaq Presario desktop, using WinXP):
1. DVD drive OK at boot but some hours later fails to read a disk;
revives OK after reboot.
2. If a disk is in place at reboot, Windows hangs while trying to
read it.

I guess some component is wearing out so I will replace the
drive. Questions:
1. Which brands are the most reliable? LG now seems commonest.
2. Should I instal another DVD-ROM or a DVD R/W drive? I never
yet suffered by inability to write DVDs, but presumably the R/W
drive has more components to malfunction or misalign . . .

Three or four LGs here, S/PATA variants -- one, a PATA was giving me
problems for the longest time. Oddball reactions, preventing access
to another. Old and early SATA compliance MB, though ASUS. Also run
SATA via the PCI. Eventually started dragging down the 5V leg of the
PS. Hope the PS is still salvageable -- a good sever grade 400W.
Pulled it and replaced it with a SATA Optiarc (Sony's technology,
guess in whatever, a Samsung, possibly). Rest of the LGs are still
holding up (1-2 old drives).

 

[jinxy]

I just replaced mine with a Plextor PX 870A  I have always used Plextor
products and would highly recommend that brand.

--

Rick
Fargo, ND
N 46°53'251"
W 096°48'279"

Remember the USS Libertyhttp://www.ussliberty.org/

If you are in Toronto or the GTA check out this place, great prices
and same day free delivery. http://www.bewawa.com/
-J

 

[peter]

Maybe you should learn how to read
The original poster clearly states he lives in Ottawa
The poster you replied to (Rick) signs his with Fargo ND that's in the US
peter

 

[jinxy]

With mail order it does not really matter where you live.  So what is
your point?

--

Rick
Fargo, ND
N 46°53'251"
W 096°48'279"

Remember the USS Libertyhttp://www.ussliberty.org/

My bad. I will try not to let it happen again, Lord Peter of the NG.
-J

 

[Mike Easter]

topic drifting...

If you are in Toronto or the GTA

.... speaking of the GTA...

I didn't recognize that threeletter abbreviation, so I hunted it down
and ran into this interesting article in the wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Toronto_Area - has an identity
different from the rest of the province. This is why it sometimes is
referred to as the Province of Toronto. ... 14th largest metropolitan
area in the Americas ... These different border configurations result in
the GTA's population being higher than the Toronto CMA by nearly
one-half million people, often leading to confusion amongst people when
trying to sort out the urban population of Toronto. ... Ultimately, all
the aforementioned places are part of the Golden Horseshoe metropolitan
region, an urban agglomeration, which is the sixth most populous in
North America. .... There has been a growing tension between Toronto and
the surrounding GTA area since the mid-1990s