I have a (3 year old) IBM NetVista PC - with AMD 1.0 GZ processor, 256MB RAM, 40GB HD, Windows ME, DVD & CD-writer drives. With these specs, does it make sense to hook up an external DVD writer? The model I have in mind is Iomega Super DVD Drive USB 2.0 External.
Thanks, Oriphus. I am not very comfortable about opening my PC and replacing drives. I just want to connect an external dvd writer to the USB port. My main concern is about capability of my PC (with the specs I mentioned earlier).
I just purchased a new TDK indiDVD 880N 8x +/- thats right you read correctly burns at 8x + or - . TDK has an excellent reputation for quality. It also was an "editors choice" on ZD Net.com aka (geeks R us)(840N)TDK is the first to bring us an 8X record speed for the - format. I can't really say much about it, Since I am a newbie, and as I write this I am doing my first "backup". The installation was straight foward with a fairly detailed instruction book. The price was inline with any of the top shelf brands. And there is a $30.00 rebate..enough to buy more blank DVD's. The only draw back is that Roxio CD creator came as the bundled software. But thats an easy fix, don't install it and download NERO 6 here at afterdawn,it's all good. Oh buy the way,http://www.tigerdirect.com is selling this burner for $189.99 before rebate. Not bad considering your final price of $159.99 for state of the art
Im afraid i have no experience with External drives. I know it can be daunting to open a computer a change it especially when you havent done anything like that, but by swapping it with the CD Writer, you shouldnt need to change much. If you do choose to go that option get back to us and start a new post and we'll give you information on how to do it and do it right. Best of luck
If you don't want to open your computer then make very, very extra special sure that your computer supports USB2. If your PC is three years old and still stock, chances are that it doesn't. External drives need USB2 because USB1.1 won't support the needed transfer rates for burning a DVD. If your PC doesn't support USB2 then your two options both involve opening the case: adding a USB2 PCI card or adding an internal burner.
Thanks a lot Nephilim about the 'warning' on USB port. How do I check if I have USB2 or USB1? I tried PC-Doctor - it doesn't tell me much! Regards Sunil.
sssurve I dunno that n wanna know it also how you tell what connections a usb 1.0 1.1 and which are usb 2.0 ......hope someone answers
Alrighty fellas, I read this question and thought "Well just look in the device Manager!" So I did and it doesn't say a damn thing whether a controller is 1.1 or 2.0. In my now humbled state I googled some things and came up with this page which explains how to tell. http://www.usbman.com/Guides/checking_for_usb_2.htm Basically in Device Manager when you look at your USB controllers the ones that say "Enhanced" are 2.0. I had never checked because I knew I had 2.0 already. Ya learn something new everyday.
