Upgrade CD-DVD ot Read/Write

[stefanus]

Is it possible to install a Read/Write Rom only, my PC has already got CD-DVD but no Read /Write, or must I throw that away and buy a CD-DVD-Write/Read unit complete. It does seem to be a waste if the latter is correct. I would need assistance to install one.
:D
Stefanus

[david eaton]

Sure, you can install another optical drive with no problems, assuming that there is an empty bay for it, and your power supply has sufficient output.

It would be quite simple to install, only needing a screwdriver!

[Budfred]

Or you can use an external, especially if you have USB 2.0 or Firewire....

[stefanus]

Thank you David. I have just replaced my floppie drive with quite a lot of help from these forums and I do have a screw driver;). None the less I would like assistance with this upgrade.
Here is a list of my systems credentials.
Model: PB Club 79
Microprocessor: Celeron 533 Mhz
RAM: 64MB RAM Dynamically Shared with Graphics (DVMT)
Video Memory: Intel i810-L Direct AGP - DVMT shared Video Memory
Hard Disk: 15GB UDMA
Motherboard: Houston
Modem: Modem56bps V.90 Data Fax
Sound Chip: 64 Voices Stereo Sound
Warranty: 1Year (Hardware) (Now Outdated)

When I opened my PC I specifically checkd if there was provision for an extra drive, and there is, coupled with two extra connections but no extra ribbon cable. :D
Budfred I prefer an internal unit! mainly because of limited space.
Look forward to a response
Stefanus
:D

[Whyzman]

As mentioned by David, your power supplies capability to handle the additional optical drive is of concern...

How many watts is the one you have??

Most optical drives will simply be connected to the existing IDE cables as a SLAVE drive. Most optical drives come "jumpered" (small cap with contacts that can be positioned on back of drive) by default as a SLAVE drive.

Sometimes a new drive will come with a IDE cable...

You would have one or two "ribbon cables" (similar to the floppy you installed except fatter). If you've one IDE ribbon cable it would have your Harddrive attached to the end and your current optical drive attached to the middle...

The end position on the cable is referred to as the Master position. The IDE cables themselves are referred to as Primary and Secondary relating to their position on the Motherboard....the Primary IDE cable will usually have your Harddrive with the Operating System you are using...

If Secondary IDE position on your Motherboard is free you would be able to connect the new optical drive to that but you would want to reposition the "jumper" on the back to what would be the MASTER position. Then, you would want to terminate the drive (i.e., attach to the end of the connector), not use the middle connector (as mentioned earlier, the middle position is used for a SLAVE device).

If you had the front removed from your case when you put in the new floppy you would want to repeat the procedure to be able to gain access to the optical drives from the front.

Most drives are simply slid in on rails. If your case did not equip you with extras you will need two devices (probably similar to the ones you see attached to the existing drive) that are affixed to the sides of the new drive. These have tension clips on the front and if you squeeze them together on either side of the drive you can extract it...

If you do not have extras with your case you will probably have to purchase at a local computer shop...

Usually the IDE cables are keyed (i.e., have a tab) which will allow the cable to only be put on in one direction...if not you will need to make sure that the red edge of the cable is attached to the number 1 pin on both the Motherboard and the drive...

I would check on the existing drive and see which side the red edge is affixed and copy...

Power connecter would also go on the same as the existing drive...

This hopefully will get you started... ;)

[mjc]

RAM: 64MB RAM Dynamically Shared with Graphics (DVMT)
Video Memory: Intel i810-L Direct AGP - DVMT shared Video Memory

At this point I would be more concerned about those items then any kind of burner. 64MB is not enough. I would seriously consider uppping it by 256MB (if your board will support 256MB sticks). And the i810 chipset is not the greatest for playback.

Also a 533 MHz Celeron is at the lower limit for DVD encoding (if that is one of your desires for going with a DVD recorder ove just a CD recorder). Not that it can't be done with that processor, just that it will take a rather long time to complete.

Couple with your low memory amount it may be nearly impossible to actually burn anything.....the buffering and swapping to the hard drive will make it a difficult task.

[stefanus]

David I do not have one clue of what you are saying:o but am willing to learn:D MJC how can I check if my system will support an upgrade to 256MB plus upgradeing the 553 MHZ Celeron to whatever is required? Also I do not realy need the DVD! I am here to learn! :o
Thank you all for your input.
Stefanus

[Budfred]

If you don't already know what your motherboard is, you can find out with a program like Belarc (http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html) which will survey your system and produce a report of what you have. Once you get the type of motherboard, you can look up the specs (or get us to help with that) and it should tell you what upgrade limits are. To find out minimum specs for the DVD, look at material for it... You can probably handle a DVD ROM and a CDRW, but a DVD -/+ RW may be too much for your system...

[Bullman]

According to this, you should be able to upgrade your Ram to 512MB.Crucial (http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?Mfr%2BProductline=Packard+Bell%2BClu b+Series&mfr=Packard+Bell&cat=RAM&model=Club+79&submit=Go)

As long as this is the exact Model of your PC.

[stefanus]

Budfred I have just completed down loading BELARC! What do I now do:D
Stefanus

[Budfred]

You should be able to just run it and have it analyze your system. It will give you a ton of info, including details about your motherboard (hopefully). However, it looks like Bullman may have already found the info you want....

[stefanus]

Bullman, thank you a very interesting site with lots of inf:)
Budfred also thanks. I have run it and find it very informative. Old Addage. IF YOU REQUIRE HELP. ASK THE PEOPLE WHO REALY KNOW :D
THANK YOU ALL
Stefanus
ps. Another interesting feature in CRUCIAL. It directs you back to BELLARC to ensble you to check out your Motherboard.
:cool:

[stefanus]

MJC, after contemplateing your reply is it of your opinion that I dispense with the DVD, which I realy do not use, and just install a CD-Read/Write unit. I have investigated, via Belarc and Crucial that my PC will support 512 MB of RAM. What else do I need to upgrade?
Whyzman, how can I check my power supply. "Q" I was of the opinion that it is 220V as is the system used in the UK. Or are you refering to the internal supply. The following is as copied from Belarc.

Processor
533 Megahertz
32 KB Primary Memory
128 KB Secondry Memory

Main Circuit Board
Board: Giga i810 1.3A
Bus Clock: 66 Megahertz

Memory Modules
64 Megahertz Installed Memory
Slot "O" 64MB
Slot "1" is Empty

Is that info of any help in assessing the power required? I am very keen to upgrade my system.
:D
Stefanus

[Budfred]

Whyzman was asking about the power rating on the internal power supply. Whether it is enough depends on the number of components you are trying to run and the power requirements of each component. Here is an article (http://www.firingsquad.com/guides/power_supply/default.asp) that can give you more info about power supplies....

[stefanus]

Budfred accessed article and find it very interesting. I know the principals of Omhs Law but I cannot find how much internal power is being used. The Memory: V=3.3V, and the Processor is V=2.0 V and that is all I can asscertain. Possibly in your posting of the 24/10/03 you suggested that you can assist would be the route to take.I have all the inf. of the Motherboard but no overall power rating
Stefanus

[Budfred]

I am not sure if this is what you are saying, but the issue of whether your motherboard/system can handle a DVD +/- RW depends on the limits of the system, not the power. You can always get a more powerful power supply, but you can't make the mobo handle technology that it isn't equipped to handle unless there is a BIOS update for it.... You would need to check the requirements of the DVD drive you are looking at to see if it will work...

[Whyzman]

I don't know that there's anything unusual regarding the DVD hardware situation...I would have suspected that with my Toshiba combo drive there'd be something strange...but the thing uses the standard Windoze optical drivers...

Audio connectors were no different than a standard CD-ROM and of course the IDE cables...are the IDE cables...:)

[Budfred]

My thought is that the DVD would run and might even record CDRWs, but it might have trouble doing the DVDRW part if the minimum requirements are not met. The system in question is old enough and new enough that it could go either way depending on required specs....