Installing a DVD writer

Question

I have a Dimension 4300 which has a CD/DVD player in the top drive bay and a CD-RW in the second drive bay.  I want to add a NEC 3500A DVD writer which according to the specification (if I read it correct) also does CD-RW, so do I replace the existing CD-RW (which looks easier to do as this will be my first time inside the tower) with the DVD writer.  Or does it go into what looks like an empty slot under the A drive slot.   Presuming a DVD writer can be added to my machine, are there any problems that I will encounter.

Skybird · Answer

A DVD writer is also a CDRW drive so if you wanted to you
could replace the CDRW drive and likely never miss it. It
can be handy to retain the DVD-ROM drive. This describes
what I did with my system.

If you choose to do this, uninstall the existing CDRW in
the Device Manager. Jumper the new DVD Burner as Cable
Select. Remove the CDRW and install the DVD Burner.
Restore power and the new drive will be auto-detected and
installed during the boot-up.

Your Service Manual for parts replacement is here if you
need it .............

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4300/replace.htm#1101572

Keith LT · Answer

Many thanks for your reply Skybird. Never having been inside the Tower, I just hope I can do the swap without major problems occuring.

WildOne46 · Answer

Keith, Keep the CD/DVD-ROM and replace CDR(W) as indicated....the CD/DVD-ROM is generally a better ripper (faster) which you will find useful if you are backing up Video DVD's....   WildOne

Keith LT · Answer

Skybird wrote:- If you choose to do this, uninstall the existing CDRW in the Device Manager.    I have looked in Control Panel, System, Device Manager and expanded CDROM, but can't find uninstall, only a remove option.  Is that the same thing, or should I be looking somewhere else for uninstall?

Predator · Answer

Hi Keith,

Mike (Skybird) is currently off-line, Windows XP and I believe 2000 as well states "Uninstall", Windows 95, 98 & Me use the term "Remove" but basically perform the same function.

Best Regards

God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,
the good fortune to run into the ones I do and the eyesight to tell the
difference.

CD/RW Link

Message Edited by Predator on 12-02-2004 06:37 PM

Keith LT · Answer

Skybird wrote:-

Jumper the new DVD Burner as Cable Select.

I have the DVD writer in front of me, but I'm unsure if that little black plastic bit which is at present over the master in CSEL-SLAVE-MASTER should be taken off MASTER and put over the CSEL, or is the present setup the correct one.

Skybird · Answer

Move the jumper to CSEL (Cable SELect).

Keith LT · Answer

Thanks Skybird.

I'm pleased to say all went well and I have burnt my very first DVD disc. Now all I need to do is find out why that disc plays on my home DVD player but not the computer which created it. Does anyone know where I should go to post a question on this.

Skybird · Answer

Glad to hear you are running ............

You need to have DVD decoder software to play a DVD on the computer.
Did such software come with the drive? Look for PowerDVD or WinDVD.
Usually a basic version of one or the other are often included with
a DVD drive as bundled software.

Keith LT · Answer

Hi Skybird,   No the Writer did not come with anything at all, but if I had read the small print when I purchased it at the best price around, it did say 'no software'.   Since your mail I downloaded demos of Power DVD (which would not run the DVDs) and Direct DVD which works in a fashion.  So it looks like I have to trawl the internet to try and find a half decent player.

Storage, Drives & Media

Installing a DVD writer

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