My head is about to explode with Info.

[Ruthie51]

Hi guys ! I rarely have the guts to post a question....(although I read everyone elses) I currently have a Ricoh mp5240a Dvdrw which came with my Hp - my hp is only a year old- ( I use dvd shrink and nero) most of my friends who have recently bought new pc's- came with writers that will write at 8x-(mine 4x) I have been reading up on adding a external usb Nec 3500- mine writes so slowwww... I am not concerned with the dl at this point- (too expensive but will get cheaper ) I just would be happy to write faster 8x or 12x and still have a dvdrw that will not have to be replaced and updated in 6mos. as things change....I am not interested in an internal as I have a 2yr warranty...What would be your advise ? If I add the external will It show up in Nero and give me the choice of the Ricoh or the Nec ? I have read and read about firmware, flashing,riplock and bitsetting-- It is terrifying ! I think if I purchase the Nec or other xternal 16x dl -Tech and media prices will catch up for it to work up to it's potential....Please let me pick your brains and feel free to tell me if you feel my brain has already been picked... Appreciate your help !

[The-poacher]

Assuming the drive is attached by USB 2 or firewire etc I cant see any problems.
I dont have an external drive but I do have an external USB to IDE caddy (case) with an extra Hard drive (U could also put a normal internal DVD burner in it <> instead of the hard drive)If u got the caddy u could use an internal DVD burner in it & later if need be put the drive in your PC.
I have never had a problem with the USB caddy

[roadworker]

If Nero came bundled with your computer and the Ricoh,most likely only the Ricoh will be available,this was always the case with older Nero versions,but I'm not 100% shure about the Nero 6 oem version.....if you have a full Nero version,you can select them both..

[Ruthie51]

Thanks for your imput- I have an oem version Nero6 which was not bundled with the computer- so I think it will recognize both- While reading your answer it brought another ? to mind- The Ricoh is strickly a DVD+R media user-- The Nec I understand works better with DVD- media- Will my Win DVD player and Windows media player recognize the dvd-media ? I hope I worded that so it is understandable - I do tend to get wordie

[The-poacher]

yes they will

[Ruthie51]

Your a life saver Mr. Poacher and Mr. Roadworker.......

[The-poacher]

np,,,,,,,,,,

[Duracell]

... I am not interested in an internal as I have a 2yr warranty ...

i don't know about your country, but here in Germany you don't loose the warranty if you replace a drive; they have to substantiate flaws you made;

another option is getting the drive mounted by a HP service partner;


Greetings from
Duracell

[Ruthie51]

I have a lot to think about before I make my purchase. Thank you.

[LTR12101B]

Definitely, ask them...

It has been argued that part of the function of the PC design is to be able to accept upgrades, so while you must check, reasonable upgrades should be permitted.

If there is a spare bay, adding a drive may be more likely to be considered acceptable (if you ask them if you can do it without voiding the warranty) than replacing the existing drive.