Hi, I have a Plextor 716UF (external). I've had for 3 years. After 2 years, the fan started to be a problem - I turn it on and it goes really fast, with an incredibly irritated high pitched whine sound. I had put off getting it replaced because I didn't want to not have a drive (it's the only CD-R/DVD-R drive I have). I am thinking of buying a new drive. First of all, should I stick with Plextor? Second, should I get another external, or possibly an internal and get a shell so that I don't have a repeat of this problem? Thirdly, should I try to get the current one fixed even though the warranty has expired?
The Plextor 716 was the last Plextor drive, actually made by Plextor, I think. You are lucky that yours lasted that long. My Plextor 716A lasted for 1 month past the warranty period and went belly up. I found out later, that the Plextor that I had, was from the first batch they made, and they were junk. I never bought another Plextor. I have two BenQ drives, and they have been good for the past, almost 3 years.
My Plextor 716-A was still burning & reading great 3 years after I bought it until I broke the loading tray by accident. Oops, time to buy another burner! Picked up a Samsung & I'm very happy with it.
The one Plextor i had was absolute junk. It sounded like a sick lawn mower when it was working...which wasn't too often. If finally gave up the ghost...and i picked up a LiteOn that i've been using ever since. Even added a second one to the tower.
@goterps7 If you can get your hands on old stock, do so. The true 16x Plextors are 716,755 and 760; They are worth it! I have the 716 and it won't die. The Plextor 740 is a BenQ 1640 and can be flashed! I have two old stock new. The new Plextors are not worth the price for rebadges. Check out: NEC, Pioneer and Lite-on( I like DVDRW's that bitset or made too). Burn On, Russell
