Ordering Drives

Question

I will be ordering an 8400 in a few days, and the equipment shown for the drives is:   16 x DVD-ROM 16 x DVD+/-RW (with double layer write capability)   I want to be able to record to and read from both CDs and DVDs, both songs and pictures, and have some interactive course materials on CD. Not sure what all comes with this new Dell but want it to work with WMP10. The eqipment list also gives the options for the software as: Record Now Deluxe My DVD Deluxe or the combo of the two (Deluxe) Any suggestions and advice appreciated.   Thanks...Dale     Message Edited by dalem29 on 04-11-2005 06:30 PM

Predator · Answer

Hi Dale,To add with my buddy John, I would take the DVD-ROM but tell them to keep their Philips drive and purchase a retaill Plextor 716a or Pioneer A09. Actually I would get the SATA Plextor 716SA. Save the extra dime on the Philips and the money you would save on Aspirin due to less headaches, for additional RAM or something useful ;)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 thedifference. CD/RW Link

osprey4 · Answer

Dale:   Obviously, the DVD-ROM can read both CDs and DVDs and the DVD±RW drive can burn everything, including CD-R, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW. WMP will be included, if not version 10 then you can upgrade easily.   The programs listed are made by Sonic. Check out http://www.sonic.com/ for more specifics.   You may want to call Dell and ask them specifically what model DVD±RW drive they are shipping. A quick search will reveal that many buyers are having trouble with drives made by Phillips.

dalem29 · Answer

Jeff: I will be ordering online so don't know if I will get to talk to a real live person...kinda like calling customer support. But I will try to get ahold of someone to see what drive they are currently installing. I will save this thread so I can check on your recommendations in case I have trouble. I assume an average klutz like me can change out a drive...as long as I ground myself.    It looks like the user guides link above should direct me where to go to for pictorials of the steps  to change out the drives on the 8400. And hopefully Sonic can provide answers if I have any troubles using the software. Message Edited by dalem29 on 04-12-2005 01:56 PM

Predator · Answer

Hi Dale,I have seen you over in the really hard conference: Virus & Spyware, so installing the new DVD/RW will be a piece of cake for you.The User Guide should work just fine, just remember Dell uses the Cable Select Jumper Feature for their drives, not the old Master/Slave.With Dell you will get either the Philips 8631 or NEC 3450a, hopefully the latter..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 thedifference. CD/RW Link

enigma-2 · Answer

I have been completely unable to obtain watchable DVD-R's on the Phillips (replaced with a new one by Dell) but have had no problems with DVD+R's. (Both quality disks.) Not one DVD- disk will play on a DVD player and sometimes not even of the Phillips drive that just recorded it. This was verified by the Dell service tech.

This Phillips drive is junk. ...........

It WILL burn DVD+ disks however, but we are paying for a full capacity drive.

Dell refuses to install an NEC burner, offering to ONLY replace it with another Phillips piece of ----.

I was told that they no longer have any NEC drive available in the desktop series (only laptops).

My recommendation is to get the base drive, pull it out and put in a Plexor. Works wonderfully.

Now, WHY ISN'T DELL READING THESE CONFERENCES? Everyone is having problems with the Phillips burner. It is NOT a +/- drive, only a + drive.

Dell is LYING. The drive is + only.

Storage, Drives & Media

Ordering Drives

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