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Question

DVD drive problem - is a portable DVD drive the solution?

Jan 30, 2020 8:57AM PST

Ever since I learned in the CNET forums of the WinX DVD Ripper Platinum, I’ve been using it to rip my DVDs so that I can have digital MP4 copies.

Unfortunately, I’ve been finding that my computer’s DVD drive stops working on a frequent basis, and I find I have to restart the computer in order to get it to work again. Which is a real pain because I’m often surfing the net or otherwise multitasking while ripping my collection.

I’ve had my current computer since 2014, so I’m guessing that the ideal solution would be to get a new computer. Unfortunately, I really can’t afford it right now.

Given the above, here’s my question for you: is a portable DVD drive the answer? And if so, do you have any recommendations?

Thanks!

(I don’t know if this information will help, but my computer is a Dell Inspiron 1720 laptop - processor: Intel Core i7-4500U CPU @ 1.80GHz 2.40 Ghz, installed memory (RAM): 8.00GB (7.89GB usable), system type: 64-bit operating system.)

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Yes.
Jan 30, 2020 11:41AM PST

I don't want to write too much here but at my office desk I have about ten USB DVDRW drives ready to go with the tech on service calls. We buy en masse for better pricing and the tech gets one to take on such a call.

You can avoid the usual 100 buck on location fee and do this yourself for say about 25 bucks at Walmart or other places which is far cheaper than a new laptop.

You do realize that most new laptops do not have these DVD drives so getting the USB DVDRW drive gets you ready for when you replace your Dell.

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Yeah, I took a look at some laptops...
Jan 30, 2020 1:46PM PST

Yeah, I took a look at some laptops in Costco and I noticed that. Things really have changed in six years - no built-in DVD drives, laptops vs. chromebooks, and so on, in addition to the whole thing of processors and other such things that's kid stuff to you but rocket science to me - it's all so overwhelming, I almost wish I could hire you to be my personal computer shopper! [emoji: "smile"]

I'd prefer to buy my DVD drive in a store so I don't have to wait for shipping. As it happens, I live near a Micro Center, so I checked out their website to see what they have.

They have three models listed, and someone asked a question about the least expensive model, something that I wouldn't have thought to ask: why can't it be installed on Windows 10? The answer turns out to be that the model in question came out well before Windows 10 was released.

So I know to make sure I get one that's compatible with Windows 10. And that leads into my follow-up question: is there anything I need to know, look out for, watch out for?

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As to the USB DVDRW and Windows 10.
Jan 30, 2020 2:48PM PST

I've never thought to check out compatibility. We have decade plus USB DVDRW drives and they just work.

I've never heard of a good drive not working on W10. That would be news to me.

What to watch out for? Nothing I can offer EXCEPT one thing. I rarely use the bundled software. I plug it in and use the apps I have now.