CDROM Drive replacement

Cattcreek · 11-23-2004, 04:05 PM

I have a Compaq 5441 computer which needs a new CDROM drive. How do I know what to order so I get the right one??

**Ha-y-n** · 11-23-2004, 05:39 PM

hey Cattcreek,

what are you looking to do?

any cdrom would do fine with your system.

dwight_m · 11-23-2004, 05:52 PM

Your original drive should be a 32x EIDE/ATAPI CD drive with a a transfer rate from 2100 to 4800 KB/s. The size of the drives is almost universal, so mounting a new drive in the bay shouldn't be too much of a problem. (Use a ground strap so you don't zap anything inside!) If all you are trying to do is to replace, not upgrade, the drive you shouldn't have much of a problem finding a replacement that will fit. For instance, I helped a friend set up an old Compaq someone had given her. The CD drive went out about a month later, and i replaced it with the ancient CD drive from her old 386.

Cattcreek · 11-24-2004, 03:16 AM

Thank you both for your feedback. I am just doing a replacement. I didn't want to order the wrong one--thanks again

**johnwill** · 11-24-2004, 07:36 AM

I'd seriously consider a CD-RW drive if you're replacing it. They're really cheap nowadays, and you can have a backup device...

Sgt_Grim_Reaper · 11-24-2004, 10:24 AM

You probably don't have acces to a BX/PX (military equivalent to a Wal-Mart) but I seen a CDRW there for $49 and a CDROM for $29, I'm sure you can get one for around that somewhere else. Make sure it has WIN98 or WIN95 compatability as there are a few out there that support only NT technology and the programs don't run right on WIN98 or 95. But basically most out there are IDE which is what you need (assuming you don't have a SCSI adapter card in your PCI slot with a SCSI drive attached).
cheers

11-23-2004, 04:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Cattcreek Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 33 OS: Win XP	CDROM Drive replacement I have a Compaq 5441 computer which needs a new CDROM drive. How do I know what to order so I get the right one??

11-23-2004, 05:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ha-y-n 12-0, GO WARRIORS! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hawaii Posts: 682 OS: WinXP Pro	hey Cattcreek, what are you looking to do? any cdrom would do fine with your system. __________________ bRiAn Harddrive Diagnostic Tools, MemTest86

11-24-2004, 03:16 AM	#4 (permalink)
Cattcreek Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 33 OS: Win XP	cdrom drive replacement Thank you both for your feedback. I am just doing a replacement. I didn't want to order the wrong one--thanks again

11-24-2004, 07:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,748 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	I'd seriously consider a CD-RW drive if you're replacing it. They're really cheap nowadays, and you can have a backup device... __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

11-23-2004, 05:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
dwight_m Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 2 OS: XP	Your original drive should be a 32x EIDE/ATAPI CD drive with a a transfer rate from 2100 to 4800 KB/s. The size of the drives is almost universal, so mounting a new drive in the bay shouldn't be too much of a problem. (Use a ground strap so you don't zap anything inside!) If all you are trying to do is to replace, not upgrade, the drive you shouldn't have much of a problem finding a replacement that will fit. For instance, I helped a friend set up an old Compaq someone had given her. The CD drive went out about a month later, and i replaced it with the ancient CD drive from her old 386.

11-24-2004, 10:24 AM	#6 (permalink)
Sgt_Grim_Reaper Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New Mexico Posts: 396 OS: XP Pro SP3 My System	You probably don't have acces to a BX/PX (military equivalent to a Wal-Mart) but I seen a CDRW there for $49 and a CDROM for $29, I'm sure you can get one for around that somewhere else. Make sure it has WIN98 or WIN95 compatability as there are a few out there that support only NT technology and the programs don't run right on WIN98 or 95. But basically most out there are IDE which is what you need (assuming you don't have a SCSI adapter card in your PCI slot with a SCSI drive attached). cheers