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06-29-2008, 08:43 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Feb 2007
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CD drive is fubared
Should it be a simple matter to get it replaced? Are there choices I should be aware of?
Y'all are sooo helpful on these questions!
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06-29-2008, 08:58 PM | #2 |
Radical Centrist
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Simple and cheap. What model of PC?
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06-29-2008, 09:00 PM | #3 |
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Dell.
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07-02-2008, 10:07 AM | #4 |
Read? I only know how to write.
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How do you know its the drive and not driver software? This is why Dell provides hardware diagnostics. Diagnostics boot from the hard drive in a selection before Windows boots. I believe the option appears when pressing (repeatedly) F5 or F8 or F12 before that Windows splash screen appears (can't remember which key so I usually press each repeatedly).
Of course, you probably want the burner anyway. But best is to perform the diagnostics once before anything fails - to see how to get them and see how all hardware gets confirmed. |
06-29-2008, 09:08 PM | #5 |
Radical Centrist
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With a replacement drive, do you want to play DVDs? Do you want to burn CDs? Do you want to burn DVDs? Do you want "lightscribe", a technology that uses the laser to "burn" the label side of the CD with a reasonable label?
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06-29-2008, 09:15 PM | #6 |
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burn cds would be nice--don't need the other stuff.
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06-29-2008, 09:20 PM | #7 | |
UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION
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Quote:
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06-29-2008, 09:21 PM | #8 |
Radical Centrist
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Which Dell is it? Dimension..?
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06-29-2008, 09:25 PM | #9 |
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Dimension 8400.
I can't install it myself, so I will have to take it in to a computer doc. Does the drive need to be ordered?
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06-29-2008, 09:45 PM | #10 |
Lecturer
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for a Dimension 8400
Hello,
You'll really want to get the $30 one from Newegg (Dual Layer IDE burner) like below. It will work fine and match your case. Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106226 While you're at it, if you have less than 1GB RAM, get 4 512MB DDR RAM chips. You'll be much better off for it. They are here for: http://www.18004memory.com/focuscfg....26925&mfgID=31 $25.00 each for the name brand (which is well worth it considering Dells don't like the non-name brand stuff). Considering that a total bill of approx. $130 + Shipping + 20 minutes for a PC Tech to put all this in is still less than the store, you'll be much happier! Mitch |
06-29-2008, 09:54 PM | #11 |
Radical Centrist
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Mitch is right, but if you don't want DVD this item is $9 less.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106084 This is a pretty simple procedure and I bet we could walk you through it, if you wanted. It only requires one phillips head screwdriver. |
06-29-2008, 10:05 PM | #12 | |
Snowflake
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Quote:
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06-30-2008, 11:52 AM | #13 |
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Fuba Red would be a great name for a Crayola color.
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