CD-R hardware installation problem

Question

I wanted to transfer a Benq Model5232W to my Dell E520, but it has a 40way IDE output and there doesn't seem to be anywhere to connect it to. Does this mean it is incompatible with this model Dell? It won't surprise me if it is,as I've had it for a few years.

fireberd · Answer

You system uses 'SATA' CD and DVD drives, not the older style with the IDE connections.    The old drive you have is incompatible.   (Your system also uses a SATA drive for the hard drive too).

Mr Scorpio · Answer

I just bought a new Dimension 520 and the thing just reads, does not write, CDs. Bad assumption on my part to guess that Dell would not sell 1994 technology. I worked with a helpful person in the Dell chat room to get to this fact. He then told me that I could go out and just buy a CD-R and install it. I went and bought one, but the IDEs are not compatible. Sweet. Be careful, but that SATA device first, or don't buy a Dell.

blammy1 · Answer

Thanks for confirming my suspicions. Buying a Dell ( at my daughters suggestion) is going to be expensive. None of the items I wanted to transfer will be compatible. Especially the HDD from my old computer. Trouble is, as I was on Win98, I can't even use a data transfer cable.

fireberd · Answer

You can buy an external USB hard drive case and mount the drive in that case and access the data.  However, ONLY the user data will be transferrable.  you can't transfer programs - they must be installed and some of the old programs will be incompatible, anyway.

blammy1 · Answer

I've actually bought a Samsung SH-S183A DVD-RW and installed it in the SATA3 socket, but the Dell doesn't recognize it and it does not appear on the Device Manager. Any suggestions anybody?. I know the driver supplied is not compatible, but Samsung have produced a compatible driver. Not much use if the hardware isn't recognized. Incidentally, how do I access the BIOS in Vista?

Storage, Drives & Media

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