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[tuftedduck]

Can I take some advices from the techie minded Kitizens, please.

My internal DVD-ROM optical drive appears to be defunct and in need of replacement.........the drawer wont close properly and requires brute force to shut it, and once closed occasionally it will not read discs.

Decided to get and fit a new one...they are cheap enough and easy to install.

However, I do happen to have about my person a new, unused LG GSA-E40N USB connected external DVD Rewriter.

If I plugged that in, could I use it as a DVD-ROM drive until my new internal job arrives ?

Thank you for any advices.

[roseway]

I don't know anything about Windows of course, but I'd imagine that you could just plug it in and use it. You won't do any harm by trying that anyway.

[UncleUB]

As it is usb I would think you just connect it and Windows will assign it a drive letter.Then just disconnect when you fit your new internal one.

[tuftedduck]

Thank you, gentlemen..........will give it a go..

[HPsauce]

Yes, for "everyday" use from within Windows just plug and play.

If you need to use it at boot time, such as for installing an OS then you may need to change some BIOS settings or it may not be possible at all, depending on the motherboard.

[tuftedduck]

Thank you, HP. 

Yes, it's just used for normal stuff, so far anyway. Will remember about the BIOS thing if the need arises.

Thank you.

[HPsauce]

When you buy a replacement internal drive just make sure you get the right type - IDE or SATA - a quick look inside the PC will tell you.

I tend to buy LG "multi" drives, only about £20, sometimes less.

[tuftedduck]

Thanks again, HP.

Want an IDE connection..........which shows how old this pile of junk is. In computer years, it's even older than me..

[HPsauce]

The GH22NP20 looks good, about £20 depending where you buy.

IDE stayed in use for optical drives long after hard disks moved to SATA.
(my "custom" Windows 7 PC actually has both IDE & SATA optical drives in it - 1 of each)

[tuftedduck]

Gottum, £18 at e-buyer ( http://www.ebuyer.com/product/149313 ) plus some p&p.

Thank you..

[tuftedduck]

New drive in....and working a treat...

Thought I never going to get the old one out  ...........whoever put it in must have welded the power lead, or that's how it seems....took nearly an hour to get that off. 

Still, all ok now..

[roseway]

Excellent

Sometimes those power plugs can be a devil to remove.

[UncleUB]

 

[BritBrat]

As for BIOS setting I always set the boot order CD/DVD first then hard drive later, that way you never have to worry about what you need to do when booting from CD/DVD and if there is no boot CD in drive it will just be like normal and boot from hardrive.

[jeffbb]

Hi
@britbat  : I am a bit weary of booting (or attempting to boot) from anything other than the hard drive ,unless I have control. This goes back to when the same option was available for floppy drives where many an unwary user ended up with a virus . Maybe CD/DVD are safer and more secure .Probably quite safe as long as long as one is absolutely sure that the CD/DVD is from a safe source.
Regards Jeff