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CD ROM installation

9 years ago

I have a fairly new HP Win 7 desktop with a CD/DVD reader/burner installed. I previously had another HP desktop running XP which had both CD/DVD ROM as well as a burner. The new computer has two slots for optical devices. Here's my question: If I removed the CD ROM from the older desktop and installed it in the newer computer, would it work with no problem? Or should I just buy a new CD ROM to install in the second slot? I find this setup very helpful when copying a CD or DVD without having to copy to the HDD first before burning to a blank disc.

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Comments (4)

zep516
9 years ago
I'd by a new one. There mechanical devices and subject to failure, so I'd hesitate to put an old drive in a newer machine.
Elmer J Fudd
9 years ago
I agree but for a different reason. Unless you were a heavy user of the optical drive in the old machine, it's probably fine. They don't tend to be subject to much wear and tear.

A BIGGER issue is a possible interoperability problem between the old drive and the new PC. Manufacturers don't always write new drivers for old hardware models when a new Windows version comes out. Also, the old drive may have an older interface (like IDE) that your newer PC may not have the capability for.
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Sorry about that Randy, I looked in My Computer- Properties-Hardware and below is the information that I see in the box. All disk drives. Name Disk Drive. WDC WD120JB-75CRAO Disk Drives. Floppy Disc Drive Floppy Disk. HL-DT-ST-DVDRAM GSA 40440B DVD/CD-R. HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA 4163B DVD/CD-R. Now the amazing thing is. After going in there a zillion times over the last two days, looking for possible problems and not finding anything amiss. The CD-ROM on Drive E has decided to function as it did before. I have burned three documents onto a CD-R and checked them out and it worked. Don't ask me why, as I have no idea what happened to cure the problem. I now find however, that the other CD-ROM drive on Drive F [not D as I first named it] does not function at all, either playing or burning. "Horton"
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Does your PC have software to play DVDs? What operating system does it have? If it's Windows, it probably has media player, but it may not recognize that it should launch for the DVD. I prefer vlc media player, which is a free download. It does a lot more than just DVD playing, but it does a good job with DVDs. Here is a link that might be useful: VLC home page
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I wanted to thank each of you for your suggestions about solving my problem. I tried each of your suggestions but without success, I wound up calling tec support and talked with a young man in the Philippines, he was very patient and got me through the process and I got the printer installed. Word of caution, read carefully the instructions when installing new hardware and when it says not to hook up the machine to the usb port before being told to do so during the installation process, DON'T DO IT. I was careless and it caused me a lot of aggravation........
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Have you tried more than one CD? And more than one type? If for example you are trying a music CD now try inserting you XP operating system CD and see what pops up. Does the activity light on the front of the DVD player come on when you close the drawer with a CD inside and does the speed of the flashing increase after a few seconds of activity?
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grandms
Original Author
9 years ago
The interface is okay, as I checked that, but since these drives are so inexpensive, I believe I would be wise to just purchase a new one and install it. Thanks to both of you for your advice.
GregNow
9 years ago
If the interface is still good then it should run. WIN7 has huge library of old to new drivers and if it is HP then it should easily work. If it doesn't, WIN7 will automagically notify you to download a recommended driver from their built-in auto-update app.

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