OT: Hardware question

Subject: OT: Hardware question
Author: Antigone68104
Posted on: 2012-01-21 14:32:00 UTC

I'm having a few issues with the DVD-ROM drive in my laptop. Specifically, most of the time the laptop doesn't seem aware that it's even there. If the computer does recognize the drive, it tends to "misplace" it ... while I'm trying to use it.

I don't want to install a new internal DVD drive. This laptop is over 3 years old, so I should start socking money away for a new laptop instead. However, it's tax season, I can't find TurboTax in a download-only version, and my desktop can't run TT any more due to program updates. So, I'm looking at getting an external DVD drive to tide me over.

Does anyone have a recommendation on brands to buy/avoid? Or a recommendation on where to get this? A friend of mine has a Tiger Direct account, but I'm also seeing these drives in local stores.

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OT: Hardware question by Antigone68104 on 2012-01-21 14:32:00 UTC

Before you buy the drive... by Guvnor of Space on 2012-01-21 20:20:00 UTC Reply

...you might as well try re installing the driver for the DVD Rom drive, if it even has one. If it does not have one that you can find, or it doesn't work, and you live in the states, do what Dann says. Newegg also has really good sales and deals, sometimes, so you might want to watch out for those.
In the States, by Techno-Dann on 2012-01-21 19:48:00 UTC Reply

Newegg.com is a very good site - I've built at least a half-dozen computers with parts from there. They've also got customer reviews, which can be useful for knowing what's worth buying. Read the negative ones, as there's a lot of people who will give one star for dead-on-arrival hardware.
If you're in the UK.... by Fish Custard on 2012-01-21 19:34:00 UTC Reply

Maplin usually has some good deals on external DVD drives. Failing that I'd just see what's going on Amazon. There aren't really any makes to avoid, although if it's coming from overseas I'd be rather wary lest you get a Shoddy Knockoff Product.