DVD Burner

I have a Dell Desktop with a CD player and WINDOWS XP. I would like to
upgrade to a DVD Burner. Is this done by replacing the CD player withe the
DVD player? Not sure if another unit can be added.

tks all..

billw

Billy wrote:
> I have a Dell Desktop with a CD player and WINDOWS XP. I would
> like to upgrade to a DVD Burner. Is this done by replacing the CD
> player withe the DVD player? Not sure if another unit can be added.

If your Dell computer (desktop) is using IDE - you can have up to 4 devices
in a standard IDE based system. Given your computer only has a CD player -
I would assume it is probably at an age where it would be IDE based (or just
bought with the bare essentials originally.) Usually you have (basic
configuration) one IDE hard disk drive and one IDE Optical Drive (CD/DVD).
You can easily add another optical drive (CD/DVD) to such a configuration.

In any case - you can remove your current driver, find a replacement that
uses the same interface as your current drive and replace it completely.
CD, DVD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-DL, DVD-RAM or one
drive that does all of the listed plus more.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

If you have a blank panel (that is the same size) directly below the CD
drive, most likely yes.
You also need to open the case and look for two things.
1) Is there an empty mounting tray below the existing CD drive?
2) Does the ribbon cable attached to the CD drive have an unused connector?

It would also be a good idea to check your owners manual,
they usually have instructions on how to mount a CD or DVD drive.

JS

"Billy" <billnospamever1234543@aol.com> wrote in message
news:usDjGGa1IHA.5728@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>I have a Dell Desktop with a CD player and WINDOWS XP. I would like to
>upgrade to a DVD Burner. Is this done by replacing the CD player withe
>the DVD player? Not sure if another unit can be added.
>
> tks all..
>
> billw
>

"Billy" <billnospamever1234543@aol.com> wrote in message
news:usDjGGa1IHA.5728@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>I have a Dell Desktop with a CD player and WINDOWS XP. I would like to upgrade to
>a DVD Burner. Is this done by replacing the CD player withe the DVD player? Not
>sure if another unit can be added.

If you don't have another empty 5.25" bay for an optical drive, and/or you don't
have a slave connector on the optical drive's data ribbon cable, then you must
replace the CD drive with the DVD drive. If the data cable is the only issue, you
can buy one with the needed connectors, if it didn't come with the new drive.

If you do have an available drive bay and the proper cable, you can follow the
instructions at these sites:

Tune-up: How to install a DVD or CD burner -
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6603_7-5118840-1.html

Install CD Burner, Installing a CD Writer or DVD player/burner
http://www.helpwithpcs.com/upgrading...d_recorder.htm

Installing a New CD or DVD Burner by dummies.com
http://tech.yahoo.com/gd/installing-...-burner/153085

YouTube Video- How to Install a new DVD Burner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qh6av2UviA

--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+
http://dts-l.net/
http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm

Tks all for great advice, will heed!

bw