New External DVD Drive/ Hard Drive

LusciousLuce

Hi Techie people, I'd really appreciate your advice.

I have a cheapo Acer PC which I bought new in January 08. A few months ago a CD shattered in the DVD drive, and I have been unable to shut the drawer or play any discs since. I think there are a few fragments actually inside the tower, but I'm hoping I can ignore those for now (until I smell burning). It has been limiting, not having a working DVD drive, as I can't install any software from disc/play games/play music CDs etc. So I was wondering if a new external DVD drive is the solution? Are these just plug and play devices? The other issue is I am running out of memory on my hard drive, so I was thinking maybe a new external hard drive to store all my music files etc on. Again, are these fairly easy to install? Is there any way I can combine the two devices, or should I cut my losses & scrape together the money for a new PC?

AHAR

External drives should just plug in and work but replacing the internal ones would be a cheaper and neater solution. It may seem a little daunting if you've not done it before but if you know how to use a screwdriver you're half-way there already!
Which specific model is the PC? What's the size of your current hard drive?

TonyMMM

Get a new internal DVD drive (£10-£15) and replace it, 10 minute job (very easy to do).

Hard drive - again, internal ones are cheap to buy now, but fitting can be a bit more complicated than the DVD drive (not much though). If you aren't comfortable doing that, get a straightforward external USB hard drive - transfer all your music and data files over to it and you should find you machine runs much better.

Donnie

I go along with a new internal DVD drive. But were need to determine the type of connector that will be used.

IDE Drive

SATA Drive


Some information about the Model No. should clear that up.

Once drive is fitted, you can back up using DVDs and clear up some space on the HDD.

diable

Can't you take the faulty drive out, strip it down and clean all the fragments out?

LusciousLuce

Thanks for your replies. I have an Acer Aspire M1610, and my C drive says it has 1.35BG free of 70.7GB. Does this sound right? As regards replacing internal things, that would make me v nervous - I really don't know very much about tech things, and in fact have noticed I have a C drive and D drive listed, but I've no idea what the difference is. There don't seem to be any fragments left in the DVD drive, but I can hear a few rattling around in the tower base. I am after the easiest solution for my simple brain, basically.

Donnie

First of all, you have another 70.7 GB of space left on your drive.

What you need to do it to transfer some of what it clogging up your C: drive, to your drive.

That can be audio and video files. Anything to do with Vista stays on the C: drive.

As to getting access to the inside of your tower, it's quite simple. I'm sure there are guides available on the Internet. Would take a couple of minutes with a suitable screwdriver. Replacing a faulty drive? Around ten minutes. Thirty minutes if you really want to take you time to make sure that you are doing it right.

An expert wouldn't take much more than five.

I'm reasonably sure that the Acer will accept a SATA drive. Even easier to replace. But check with ACER before purchase.

First of all, open up the tower and remove and loose fragments. Normally one side slides off.

andy2004

How to find out more info without opening the box or calling ACER.
system information tool.
http://www.filehippo.com/download_everest_home/
This is tell you everything about your system, motherboard, processor, memory, make and model of your drives, motherboard connections, and you can create a report file, basically a html file.
Replacing a dvd drive isnt that hard. usually 8 screws, and 2 cables.

a quick how to.
looking at the rear of your pc case. you should see 4 screws philips, or Thumbscrews
remove all 4, 2 on each side, to remove the side panels.
remove the power lead which should be closes to you, followed by the the cable, which should either be a long black connection IDE, or a small connection SATA.
inside the pc case. drive bay, 2 screws on either side of the dvd drive. once done, Slide out the whole dvd drive.

New drive,. check jumper is set to slave if IDE, if sata no need, insert drive into the hole. using the supplied screws / or use the screws you have taken out. line up the screw holes with the hole in the casing. and gently screw in.
making sure the front of the unit is level with the case, then tighten all 4.
reconnect the data cable IDE or SATA, then connect power cable.
put back the side panels and replace the screws and tighten.

most dvdrw are the same, when it comes to the connections.
below is a SATA dvdrw showing the connections
http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/27-151-171-04.jpg

This is a IDE dvdrw showing the connection
http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/27-249-044-04.jpg

ok, that is showing the drive as master, the white block should actually be in the middle or SLAVE. IF this is how the other one is that your removing. That big set of pins is the IDE cable, and the 4 pins on the right is the power.

LusciousLuce

You guys are so helpful, I'm really grateful. :T:T

Think I'll have a bash this wkend. I'll give you a shout if I get stuck. Oh, except I won't be able to if I get a bit slapdash with my screwdriver & can't get the thing working again!

hanwellmike

Make sure you disconnect the power before you start opening the unit.......