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General discussion

Robert, my DVD-ROM croaked.

Apr 4, 2004 4:11AM PDT

It was only 2 years old. Whine, whine. Wink
All kidding aside, I do need to ask about buying online. I've found some good buys. Especially since I don't need the software. My problem is warranties. The best prices
are for OEM bulk units. I know to check out the seller, but sometimes you have to pay extra for even a 30 day warranty, with no mention of a manufacturer's warranty.
As long as it is as advertised and gets here in good shape, I'm fine. But what happens in 3 months. Do I need to check on the manufacturer's warranty, or is that understood? chuck

Discussion is locked

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Re:Robert, my DVD-ROM croaked.
Apr 4, 2004 5:22AM PDT

I think you understand the warranty issue well so I won't comment on that. I picked up a DVD recorder for 79 bucks at Office Max so I find it hard to believe you can't beat that. It was 4X record speed, all the formats and included the software (for windows.) K3b works with it...

I guess what I'm writing is:

a. Go shopping.
b. They won't last many years at this price.
c. You can get more hours on the drives if you let them run cooler. Too often I see CDRW stacked right on top of DVD and without that airspace, things cook.

Bob

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Re:Robert, my DVD-ROM croaked.
Apr 4, 2004 6:53AM PDT

You are talking about a DVD-ROM. Checking pricewatch.com $21 or $25 for a Lite-On or Sony. I would consider them a "throw-away" item if you find cheaper. In any event they are well worth it for even without the trouble of executing warranty service probably out of town.

Course if you want a DVD burner, in todays newspaper pocket ads, Office Max has on sale a DVD+RW burner at 8x recording speed for $69.99 after rebates.
Also a 52x24x52 CD-RW burner (retail box) for $9.99 after rebates. I bought one several weeks ago for that price as a spare...in case I ever need. Wink

For anything over $70, like a video card, HD, burner, etc.. I like to buy only "Retail" instead of OEM, Bulk, White Box, etc..

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Re:Re:Robert, my DVD-ROM croaked.
Apr 5, 2004 1:08AM PDT

Robert, just need DVD-Rom to replace reader. Have separate burner. I keep an eye on temp., my system runs below specs. Not complaining, got nearly 2 years out of
$40 unit. John, that is exactly what I was asking about.
Have been on Pricewatch several times. Wondering about the reliabilty of units and sellers. Most sellers have
so-so reviews. The ones with good ratings look kind of suspect. Have heard of some of them writing their own reviews. This came at a bad time, I can't afford to buy 2 to get 1.

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Re:Re:Re:Robert, my DVD-ROM croaked.
Apr 5, 2004 6:12AM PDT

If you don't plan on playing DVD's, then a CD-ROM is even cheaper. Lite-On for $15 includes shipping is available. Ratings? Not aware of a site that gives ratings for DVD-ROM's. However, Lite-On has been thought of very good in articles I have read. I bought a Lite-On DVD-ROM for one of my PC's last year and it has been working flawless.

Ratings of sellers:
http://www.resellerratings.com/index.pl

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Also,
Apr 5, 2004 6:22AM PDT
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Also,
Apr 5, 2004 6:27AM PDT
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John, that's really funny!
Apr 6, 2004 4:16AM PDT

I-duh-remembered Newegg last night. Checked first thing
this morning and got an AOpen for $25US new in box. Was getting good reviews. Saved me a trip in the rain, and a
few cents. Better known unit then the BTC I was going to Fry's for. Am using my original CD-Rom as a temp. Next
step was to replace CD-RW with DVD-RW. Thats why I need to replace DVD-Rom.
The reviews I mentioned were for sellers. Most get bad reviews at Pricewatch. Pricewatch was a recommended site. Kinda makes me wonder. Thanks for the help, Guys. chuck