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

Question

product purchase advice

Sep 12, 2011 8:55AM PDT

I am using WindowsXP Operating System, with a usb 2.0 port
in a desk-top computer.

I was, recently, "burned" by a Samsung SE-S084 DVD drive, which I tried to use, with my home computer.

It took me four months to realize that the drive came withOUT any software, for my computer to recognize the drive as DVD not just CD.

I have thrown the drive in the trash, and, now, I need an operational drive.

Based upon the information provided, here, I would ask for recommendations, for what C -Net users would recommend formy next drive purchase.

I would prefer a drive, which would allow me to download ANY type, of computer file to my dvd burner. I dont want a drive which my computer insists is "not accessable". Or "Im-proper function".

I want a drive where, when I download, to my computer, all my machine should tell me is if a disc has enough storage space.

I would prefer an EXTERNAL "plug-and-play" unit (WITH the accompanying software, and drivers, to let the drive operate as both a DVD, and a CD burner).

Would it be practical for me to suggest wanting to pay under $100.00 for this drive? Hopefully, it would cost under $200.00

What advice/information, based upon what I have presented, here, would other users have, for which dvd-burner WITH software/drivers included, would others recommend that I try, next time I buy an external DVD burner?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
You'll Still Need DVD Burning and Viewing Software
Sep 12, 2011 9:50AM PDT

Unless the drive was faulty, the one you threw away will be the same as any new drive you purchase.. You'll need burning software to burn data to the CD or DVD disc PLUS you'll need DVD viewing software to be able to view DVD movies with it.. Did you ever obtain such software before tossing the previous unit?

Simple, free software for burning is available at the link below:

http://cdburnerxp.se/en/home

To VIEW DVD movies on disc, you'll need something else, like Intervideo WinDVD or Cyberlink's PowerDVD. (These two cost money but are frequently available in the package with DVD drives.) Some are able to use the free VLC Player but there are quite a few available..

I'll suggest checking for the software, read the box for items included, before you purchase something new which doesn't work either.

Hope this helps.

Grif

- Collapse -
Question about software
Sep 12, 2011 1:54PM PDT

Grif,

Would a package be required to list "software included"? OR, is it just assumed that software is included, with drives?

If I dont see software listed in the advertising, should I ASK for software, prior to purchase?

As to your question, about "burning programs", I DID download Tiny Burn, and another burn program, but my computer refused to recognize these programs, when placing data on DVD's.

That was one of my main problems, with my previous machine. My computer does not "automatically" detect which programs operate which files. I am required to, manually, search for, and activate, the programs. Does this sound suspicious to YOU?

- Collapse -
DVD Burners Usually State Whether Software Is Included,,,,,
Sep 13, 2011 1:04AM PDT

..but you still need to check and be aware of WHICH software is included.. Read the information on the outside of the box and it should tell you.. If software isn't included, then you'll want to purchase such, or purchase a different drive, or use the free programs I mentioned earlier.

As to Tiny Burn, I've not had good luck with it.. That's why I recommended the CDBurnerXp program.. I also currently use IMGBurn, and a couple of others on most of my computers to burn DVD's and CD's.

After installing the new drive, if you have problems with the computer recognizing the drive and any software on the computer, ask your question these forums.. Installing and uninstalling burning software frequently causes problems with "upper and lower filters" and clearing the entries from the registry usually eliminates the problem. There are also a number of other issues which have been discussed on these forums and we should be able to help you get through them.

Hope this helps.

Grif