I want to install my old CD drive from my sony vaio into my dell dimension. i pretty much know how to put it in and attatch the wires, but will i need to find drivers to use it? or will windows search for drivers for me after i boot up?
2006-08-12 11:00:05 · 5 answers · asked by Mike-Q 5 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Most likely, no.
Windows views IDE CD-Writers (as well as DVD Writers) as standard CD-ROM drives, no additional drivers necessary. Writing is a function of the writing software - Nero, Roxio, etc. That software must recognize the drive in order to write with it. An old drive and a new copy of software should not have any problems writing.
If you wanted to write with XP's native CD-Writing ability, the older drive will probably be recognized as a writer, but if not, a quick visit to Windows update should fix that.
2006-08-12 11:02:24 · answer #1 · answered by lwcomputing 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It always helps to know the hardware model number and specs. and the version of the operating system you're using. They all detect in slightly different ways. Assuming you're using XP-home or Pro most modern hardware has plug and play information stored in fields on a chip in the device. These fields are read during Window's hardware detection phase which is controlled by the "HAL" (hardware abstraction layer) that was installed during Windows setup. The fields are read and the appropriate drivers are installed if they are available. If the exact drivers are not available Windows will install the nearest compatible match and you may lose some functionality of the device. If this is a really old drive the plug and play data fields won't be there for Windows to read and the device will either not be seen or it will be installed as an unknown device. Some hardware is not installed with plug and play IDs and uses virtual device drivers. These are drivers that are installed using install shield and require the software to install the device. Windows will make the "Best attempt" to install drivers that work if it can identify the class of device installed. You should hook it up and boot up. Go to control panel/system/hardware/ and choose device manager. Make sure under DVD/CDROM the device shows up as the proper device and it is not mis-detected. If all the information is correct the drive should work. If this is a read only drive - no problem-and most of the generic drivers will work fine with it. If it's a read/write the correct drivers must be there to use the write functions. If it's a DVD you'll need ASPI drivers which install as part of most software packages suck as Nero or NTI.
2006-08-12 11:38:20 · answer #2 · answered by miggers20 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I rebuild "curbside donations", I put in Linux, because of these reasons:
1. All drivers are included. Well, the latest ATI or nVidia ones might be on the web, but, few folks toss out a $500 video card...
2. it runs the hardware 50X faster than it ever ran, or could run, in any Microsoft virus magnet!
3. Linux comes with 5,000 games, programs, suites, applications.
4. The LiveCDrom tells me immediately if I have a hardware problem. Down to the component, in most cases!
5. Linux is fully virus free, hackerproof, installs in 20 minutes.
6. No U.S. Marshalls will knock on my door, for Microsoft having mistakenly designated me as a non-"Windows Genuine Advantage" miscreant!
7. After I place that computer in the home of a needy child or disabled person, they will be able to sleep in peace, knowing hat the same multiple Convicted Felons, Microsoft Corp., who sued the Salvation Army for multiple million$, for doing the same, but having given the donated computer with Microsoft programs and licenses on them, will NOT be molesting them, or ME!!!
8. Microsoft.com, Hotmail.com, MSN.com, Google.com, all run on Linux. THERE are the billionaire$, so why would I run buggy and virus infested Microsoft vaporware, crapware, if they won't?
And, there are 157,000 MORE reasons, but, you don't have the time... Yahoo (which runs another Unix Clone, BSD!) doesn't have the time to talk it up, either... they are just going to the bank with it!
2006-08-12 11:32:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will depend on your version of windows, and how old the drive is. Generally though, the drive will be recognized automatically and Windows will configure it for you.
2006-08-12 11:03:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
no, only a burn software
2006-08-12 11:03:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋