Is it possible to use newer burner with older computer?

Can I use a new, external DVD burner whose processor requirement (as stated on the box) is 3 Ghz, with my 4-year-old laptop?

I know it might not run at the highest speeds, but my question is, will it burn OK at lower speeds? Or is there a likelihood of miscellaneous problems?

my system:

Compaq Presario 2100 laptop
AMD Athlon 1800 MHz
756 Mb RAM
Windows XP

(The internal burner is a combo)

Many thanks -- great website!

Hi,Basically yes, since the CPU requirements are valid for some piece of video editing software that comes with. For plain CD/DVD burning, a much slower CPU is sufficient.

The main problem will be the USB controller. Having a HiSpeed USB 2.0 controller is mandatory. But some USB controllers (especially with older Ali chipsets) are real crap.

I personally do own a 5 yr. old Toshiba laptop with PIV 1800 MHz (slower than your AMD) and Intel i845 chipset. Since this does not support HiSpeed USB 2.0, I added a cardbus USB 2.0 adapter with NEC chipset. I am able to burn at 8x speed, which is absolutely acceptable. No problems so far.

If you have to install an USB 2.0 adapter, too, then get one with NEC chipset, since this is the most compatible one. Avoid adapters based on Ali chips (dunno about VIA here). Also avoid installing any drivers that come with the card and rely on the built-in drivers from Windows XP SP2.

Michael

I'm using a DVD burner on my 1 Ghz Celeron with 384 Megs of Ram without problems (except that i cam't burn higher than 8x). External burners may be more demanding, but i dont think it will be an issue on your configuration

Thanks for the informative and quick reply!

Dammit, I have only USB 1 (or rather, USB 1.1 I think???). So I really need USB 2, huh?

I do have Firewire. But I haven't seen any external drives that come with Firewire.

Which raises the question of putting an internal in an enclosure with Firewre.
I have put an internal hard drive in an enclosure with absolutely no problem, totally glitch-free. BUT - I've read that doing the same with a DVD burner is not always so easy and can run into software or driver problems of some sort.

Is that true?

One last thing -- I'm on XP sp1...is that gonna be a problem? I tried sp2 but some programs stopped working so I removed it and everything's running fine under sp1 with several individual updates.

thanks again

Hi,You might check the manual of your notebook if there is already USB 2.0. Also, device manager shows this information: http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system...FAQ_intro.mspx
USB 2.0 is essential if you want to use your drive as DVD writer. If not, then you'd stick with 4x CD speed, which is poor also.
These are rare (LG sold external drives with USB and Firewire a couple of years ago). But you could install a DVD writer into a Firewire enclosure.
Some users reported that they could not update the firmware of their drives.
According to MS, SP1 supports USB2.0. But I still recommend installing SP2, not only for security reasons, but also since MS stopped supporting Windows XP SP1.
Some programs indeed failed after installing SP2, but there should be updates and patches available now. If not, then consider some replacement, which is not as rogue. The software that did not work after SP2 did violate MS programming rules - and such is bad.

Back to topic: There is always the option to install an USB-2.0 adapter as already mentioned. Just plugin and you're done. I paid 20€ for my NEC based card (and never ever buy something else!)

Michael

EDIT You might also have a look into our external enclosures forum. I am sure, You'll find some useful information there

Great - thanks.

Okay, that sounds like the way to go. But I just remembered - I'm pretty sure my PCMCIA slot is dead (either that, or my brand new PCMCIA wireless card is dead) Time to look into internal slimlines, I guess.

You're welcome

Have you verified if your computer already supports USB 2.0? That's why I provided the MS link. I'd go the Firewire route then, provided your notebook does not have USB 2.0 and your cardbus slot is indeed fried.
Internal slimlines are difficult to install, have no support from the manufacturers and their burning quality is average at best.

Michael

I'll recommend a Plextor for an external with FireWire, PX-755UF (better but more expensive and hard to find now) or PX-810UF.

sorry - shoulda been more clear - I *definitely* don't have USB 2. Mine is 1 or 1.x

I went with an internal. I'm used to taking apart my laptop, to replace keyboard, clean fan, and re-solder AC connector. In the past there was definitely the learning curve but now I'm used to it, and the optical drive is relatively accessible.

Fortunately I didn't have to slice down the drive's outside cover with a knife (literally!) which sometimes is required to fit a drive into a laptop.

I'm taking my chances as far as support, but the drive's an LG - at least a recognized name, and I bought it at a mom & pop, bricks & mortar store that I've used before.

The four disks I've burned so far have been fine. Haven't tried burning a DVD movie yet, though.

By comparison, when I needed more hard drive capacity, it was a no-brainer to get an external HD: bigger capacity for less money (plus, longer warranty if you put an internal desktop HD in an enclosure instead of buying one readymade.)

I would say that arguably this is not the case for optical drives. External is not much cheaper and as far as speed, I suspect that in real life they may take 10 minutes to burn a DVD instead of 15-20.

It's too early to make any claim about burn quality, though.

TAKE-HOME MESSAGE, in case anyone reads this thread:

If a piece of laptop hardware goes bad, don't automatically assume that external is better and cheaper than internal. They may be closer than you think.

Thanks

I will keep this in mind in case my new internal doesn't hold up.

USB 1.1 is just fast enough for 4x CD burning............

Hi,

glad you got it sorted
Then you are more skilled that normal users
Replacing a notebook drive is often a hard job since the master/slave/cable select settings of the drive are not configured via jumpers, but in firmware. Getting the wrong version will cause lot of headache.
Since you know how to use a soldering iron and search engines, this might be a minor problem for you.

Okay. The price of an external unit is in the same order of magnitude as that for an internal slimline.
Depending on the interface, a standard half-height drive is faster than any internal slimline. And half height drives are theoretically more rigid since there is more room for stronger components.
And not to forget: replacing a notebook drive is only an option for very experienced users.

Michael

This was already mentioned