CDRW-DVDRW

Question

I have a DIMENSION 4550 BIOS ver. A08 and tryed to replace the CDRW device with a DVDRW device. There is also a DVDROM installed. After replacement the System Setup showed: first drive CD-ROM, second drive: CD-RAM. Windows XP just recogrnized the new DVDRW device as a CDRW device. My question is: Is it possible to replace the factory installed CDRW with a DVDRW in this type of product: DIMENSION 4550?

tstroud · Answer

Hi its possible that windows may see it as a CD Burner but it probably is a dvd burner also, have you tried seeing if it will burn a dvd or can you watch a dvd on it, if everything works it doesnt matter how wndows see's it, hope this helps    Terry

Predator · Answer

Hi Hans,Although in theory it should not matter but for some reason it seems DVD/RW prefer the Master position, and most of the time whether using Master/Slave-Cable Select, set the DVD/RW in the Top Bay and use the 'End' connection.But more than likely whether you move it or not, the problem may be the NVRAM needs clearing, we have seen this a few times with new drive installs but we like to verify jumper setting first, that was why I was asking.Please click on the CD/RW link in my post and scroll to Section 11, article 2, scroll down to the lists from Dell-ChrisM and locate the directions for your system and see if this will help.Best Regards God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,the good fortune to run into the ones I doand the eyesight to tell the difference. CD/RW Link

Predator · Answer

Hi Hans,Please check my reply to you.Best Regards God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,the good fortune to run into the ones I doand the eyesight to tell the difference. CD/RW Link

HansHolmqvist · Answer

I used the master/slave jumper. Master in CDRW and slave in DVDRW units Hans. P.S. The DVD  unit I tryed to install was a SAMSUNG SH-S202J. Message Edited by HansHolmqvist on 01-19-2008 05:33 PM

Predator · Answer

Hi Hans,So you changed the Dell factory installed drive from Cable select to Slave?Best Regards God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,the good fortune to run into the ones I doand the eyesight to tell the difference. CD/RW Link

Predator · Answer

Hi Han,Normally I will not intervene but lets get the drive installed properly.Dell uses the Cable Select jumper setting, not Master/Slave, what jumper did you use?Best Regards! Jeff 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 thedifference. CD/RW Link

HansHolmqvist · Answer

Yes I did. Hans

HansHolmqvist · Answer

When I load a DVD disc (4.7 GB), it is only 700 MB available to burn. Hans

tstroud · Answer

Hi Jeff there is some really good information in that link, thanks for posting it,    Terry

tstroud · Answer

Hi Jeff, no you help him out you are much more knowlegable about the problem that he is having than I am, thanks again    Terry

Predator · Answer

Thank you Terry.These are support articles we have found and also tips and suggestions from our Members gathered for almost 10 years here at Dell.I am a long timer, started with the very first Dell forum back in May of 1998.Dell has the site listed in their FAQ at the top of this page.As I mentioned, very rarely will I intervene if another Member starts working a thread, not my style, it is their to work as far as I consider. When a Member mentions installing a new drive (IDE) one of the first things we should look at is the jumper setting because Dell uses Cable Select and most vendors will ship a drive with the jumper on Master or Slave. If you mix `n match setting, you can have problems. Also even though the jumper is not right, XP and Vista can actually pick the drive up. But when it does, it will drop the drive in PIO mode instead of DMA mode. I just wanted to drop the note, then if you wish I will step aside.Hans should verify that the drives are running in DMA mode (UDMA-2), Section 15, articles 14 & 20 of the CD/RW link as well.Best Regards God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,the good fortune to run into the ones I doand the eyesight to tell the difference. CD/RW Link

tstroud · Answer

Hi it was suppose to snow here in eastern north carolina but all we have seen so far is rain, cant complain though we need the rain but snow would be nice, thanks again   Terry

Predator · Answer

I will see what I can do for Hans.Take care and have a good weekend, we are expecting snow and temps around 10 degrees in good ol`e Virginia... God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,the good fortune to run into the ones I doand the eyesight to tell the difference. CD/RW Link

HansHolmqvist · Answer

Hi Jeff and Terry Thank's for the engagement in my problem. The drive I tryed to install was a used one from a friend. I have returned it because I thougt it was not possible to replace cdrw with a dvdrw in my 'old' DELL. But what I seen from your engagement, I understand this must be possible. I will go and bay a new one. I am a retired man and bussy in many other things, so it will not be tomorrow or the next day or week, but you will have my feedback in any way. Thank' again for your engagement Hans in Sweden (no snow at all, strange)

HansHolmqvist · Answer

New drive installed.

Jumper setting: CS

dvdrw in cable end (master)

dvdrom in secondary position

all works fine, I did not have to clear NVRAM

maybe there was somthing wrong with the used drive?

thank's for your support!

Hans

Message Edited by HansHolmqvist on 01-25-2008 05:16 PM

Storage, Drives & Media

CDRW-DVDRW

Was this post helpful?