To update dvd drive

by kyny Sep 6, 2005 6:34PM PDT

I bought my HP Pavillion zd7000 laptop with only a dvd drive. I want to update it to a dvd -+ burner drive. is this possible? where do I look to get them and how much do I expect to pay?
If I can't do this update to my laptop, than do I need to purchase a portable dvd burner?
thank you.

Discussion is locked

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Go external.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Sep 6, 2005 10:25PM PDT

DVD recorders generate quite a bit of heat and it's unknown if your laptop is built to remove the heat the new drive will generate. Besides an internal will be all of 2 to 2.4x record speed if you find one that fits. If you insist, look to PLEXTOR which makes such a drive and is available out in the US markets.

My choice is some under 40 buck USB 2.0 case and some 50 to 60 buck Dual Layer DVD all format recorder. But that's my choice.

Bob

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thank you

by kyny Sep 7, 2005 4:46PM PDT

I am sure it should be able handle the internal as far as heat goes since the same laptop is offered with a dvd burner but I just did not opt for it at the time to keep the price down.
I think external sounds good though, I like that idea.
What would you recomend as far as the dvd burner itself brand and spesifications wise? Where would I be able to get the case for it also? Thanks alot.

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At the office we don't do specs.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Sep 7, 2005 9:46PM PDT

We head to geeks.com or newegg.com and pick up some 40 buck housing, a dual layer 16X DVD all format recorder for the 100 to 150 buck range and put it to work. I'm sure one can spend a lot of time trying to determine which drive is best but we must have dozens of these now. I can't tell the difference.

Bob

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thanks again

by kyny Sep 8, 2005 3:28AM PDT

I guess for the price range of $150 - $200 I could either chose to go buying seperately or get a unit allready put together. Thanks again for your help and input.

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Not to beat the subject to death.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Sep 8, 2005 3:35AM PDT

I was fibbing about the price on the high side. This morning an AOpen (a brand we've used before) dual layer 16X recorder was 35 bucks. The USB 2.0 case was 39 bucks. Shipping was 7 bucks. No tax so that's 81 bucks.

Do a little shopping and you may beat that price.

Bob

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Very easy upgrade

by Technojunkie2 Sep 8, 2005 11:27PM PDT

Go to mwave.com and get a Pioneer slot-loading slimline (notebook) drive. HP notebooks usually secure the optical drive cage in place with two screws on the bottom of the machine. Remove those, slide out the cage, swap in the new drive (you'll need a *tiny* Phillips-head screwdriver), slide the cage back in, secure it, and you're done. The drive will cost around $100. Don't forget to remove your notebook's battery before doing any hardware upgrades.

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Interesting

by kyny Sep 19, 2005 4:06PM PDT

I contacted HP and I was surprized to hear that upgrading my laptop with an internal DVD/CD Burner combo even from a 3rd party Vendor would not avoid or alter my 3 year full warranty I have with them. They did tell me I would have a problem if the drive causes a misfunction on the laptop though.
I am considering going with an internal unit or a slim external unit that does not cost an arm and a leg, since the regular external burners are really big and I would not want to carry one around in my laptop bag.
I wonder how I will be able to find out how a 3rd vendor unit will be compatible with my HP laptop?

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Hmm

by damasta55r Sep 20, 2005 12:07PM PDT

Most warranties arent voided for upgrades, but if the upgrade is the CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, then the warranty does not apply or is void

To update dvd drive

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