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Dimension 3000 cd drive
Can I play a game that is on a cd/dvd-rom on my cd rom, Dimension 3000. The game is Broken Sword, Secrets of the Ark , USA version. I get a stretched, half picture. I'm afraid the answer will be "no". In which case, can I upgrade to either a cd/dvd-rom or a combination of cd - RW/DVD or just plain cd/dvd-rom. Got game on Amazon. Told them my problem and they sent me a replacement. I guess they didn't understand that I was using a cd-rom drive. Thanks for your help
293
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Posted April 27th, 2007 23:00
Hi Mel,
Need to ask you a couple of questions so we both will be on the same page. Is this game on a CD disc or a DVD disc?
Also what is the name/model of your CD drive?
You can use Device Manager to gather the information on the drive.
To access Device Manager, use any of the following methods:
• Click Start, click Run, and then type devmgmt.msc.
• Right-click My Computer, click Manage, and then click Device Manager.
• Right-click My Computer, click Properties, click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager.
Once there, click the "+" next to DVD\CD-ROM drives and list the name/model of the drive(s)
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
293
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Posted April 28th, 2007 00:00
Hi Mel,
I believe the following is your drive:
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/storage/286de/
if so you are correct my friend it is a standard CD-ROM.
However many discs will say to insert in a CD/DVD drive and the majority of the times these will be CD discs, not DVD`s. If the disc is indeed a CD, then your drive should be able to read it fine.
Edit: I re-read your thread again just to make sure, if a disc says CD/DVD drive then it should mean the disc will play in drive that supports CD media and/or DVD media, so again you should be fine.
Yes, if you wish you can still replace your existing drive with a DVD+/-RW device. New egg has them for around $35.00.
Check something, make sure the drive is running in DMA mode, not PIO mode, click on the CD/RW link in my post and scroll to section 15, articles 14 & 17.
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 04-27-2007 09:28 PM293
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Posted April 28th, 2007 00:00
I am sorry that I took so long to answer. I was keeping watch on the origional board that had the question. This is my first time and was not looking in correct place. I hope that you are right but the game installs with only half a picture. Anything on the right, ex. other part of options, can not be seen. It looks stretched and distorted. That is why I thought it must be a dvd-rom. There must be something else that must be done. Thank you very much for you help. I appreciate this very much. I've been so frustrated. Perhaps I should still get a divd-rom.293
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Posted April 28th, 2007 00:00
Hi Mel,
If the disc is a DVD, then the drive would not read it period, so it must be a CD.
Dell has firmware update for your drive listed:
Here
I cannot say for sure if it help or not, just a thought.
PS: Did you check the DMA setting?
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
293
0
Posted April 28th, 2007 11:00
Here are the minimum requirements for this game from the vendor's web site. make sure your PC meets all the minimum requirements, especially since you seem to be having video display problems with the game.You may want to post or ask about your video problem on the gaming section of the forum.Minimum:- OS: Windows® XP/Vista™
- CPU: 1.4 GHz Pentium® 4 Processor
- RAM: 256 MB
- Disk Space: 2.6 GB Available
- CD/DVD-ROM: 16x
- DirectX®: Version 9.0c Required (Included)
- Video Card: 128 MB Shader Model 1.1 Compatible Video Card
- Sound: Windows® Compatible Sound Card
- Input: Keyboard, Mouse
Inspiron 16 5630 Laptop and WD22TB4 Docking StationSelf-built desktop for recording studio application293
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Posted April 28th, 2007 16:00
Thank you so much Jeff. You were so right. I downloaded suggested forceware update, went to NVidia and downloaded the latest graphic driver and it works. I am so happy. Secrets of the Arc, Broken Sword, works.No half picture. Have the whole thing. Now to be able to steady the mouse. Thanks again, Mel22odie293
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Posted April 29th, 2007 11:00
Glad to hear the news Mel!!
Best of luck with your system and the game !!
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
Mel22odie
5 Posts
293
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Posted April 27th, 2007 23:00
Message Edited by Mel22odie on 04-27-2007 07:55 PM