Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

CD ROM vs DVD ROM

Dec 28, 2004 6:47AM PST

My CD ROM (player) has evidently become faulty. It plays, but there are popping noises, not loud, but enough to spoil music and I am on the verge of replacing this drive. I have inherited my son's computer, a Dell like mine but which he discarded due to hard drive problems which he could never get corrected. It just occurred to me that I could simply replace my CD drive with his...but then I noticed his is not a CD drive but rather a DVD one, not a burner, but a player. My question is, can I simply transfer this? What problems might I encounter? And, will it play CDs?

Thanks for any input.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
BB, Yes You Can Swap The Drives....
Dec 28, 2004 7:20AM PST

The only item that you will need is the DVD drive software. A different driver is probably needed to recognize the new drive. For the driver software, see if Dell provided a "Resource CD" with the other computer.

In order to play DVD's, you'll need DVD player software such as Intervideo's WinDVD, which DOES have a cost, or you could try the FreeDVD player at the link below. (There are also other software versions which will do the job.)

http://www.pcworld.dk/download.asp?Mode=2&ProgramID=198

Hope this helps.

Grif

- Collapse -
CD vs. DVD
Dec 28, 2004 8:12AM PST

Thanks. I do believe the disc is here someplace, though I haven't located it yet...(but I will...just didn't want to let this thread die). Do you...or anyone...happen to know whether the DVD drive will play my CDs even without the DVD software you say I need. (BTW, the site you gave seems to be in German, unintelligible to me...but I don't mind a bit purchasing one, assuming I can locate one).

- Collapse -
DVD drive will play CDs
Dec 28, 2004 8:38AM PST

That includes audio and programs/games.

- Collapse -
BB, FreeDVD Site Is In German...Program Is In English
Dec 28, 2004 9:07AM PST

Simply download the program by clicking on the link at the site. You'll be able to read everything in English.

Hope this helps.

Grif

- Collapse -
cd v. dvd
Dec 28, 2004 9:49AM PST

Thanks a million, you guys. I'll make the switch (as soon as I locate the proper Resources CD, looking to be a formidible task right now). Wonder if Dell will replace those things?

- Collapse -
CD vs. DVD Drive
Dec 28, 2004 10:55AM PST

I was able to locate the Dell Resources disc, so tomorrow I will make the switch. Thanks for helping me.

- Collapse -
(NT) (NT) BB, Good Job & Let Us Know How It Goes
Dec 28, 2004 11:29AM PST