cd drivers

**barry69922898** · #1 16-04-2010, 10:54 PM

Hi i bought a laptop and it doesnt play re-writable cds or dvds. Does anyone know of any sites where i can get an update driver that isnt spyware or anything like that? Thanks.

**mike81** · #2 16-04-2010, 11:21 PM

Run a scan with Device Doctor: http://www.devicedoctor.com/

It will scan all your devices and list any updates.

**barry69922898** · #3 17-04-2010, 09:42 AM

Hi i downloaded the device doctor and it had 17 updates for me so i downloaded a few then it wudnt pick up my wireless network so i done a system restore and now shes crashed, i can only get her working thru safe mode. Any pointers to what i do next? Thanks.

**revolver** · #4 17-04-2010, 09:55 AM

Maybe a full windows reformat may do the trick and don't use garbage like Device Doctor. Manually look for each device driver or go through windows update or use the driver disk that came with the laptop.

Having the latest and greatest drivers isn't always the best way to go.

Edit: Just ran the Device Doctor and it recommend me a 120mb Chipset driver for my motherboard but after looking up the file its for an older model and is incompatible with my motherboard. Always do research.

**mike81** · #5 17-04-2010, 10:08 AM

I've never had any issues with device doctor. Obviously if you don't know what you're doing then don't upgrade anything you're unsure about. Doesn't help your situation though Barry and I appologise for any inconvenience. Try undoing the restore when you go into safe mode.

**revolver** · #6 17-04-2010, 10:13 AM

Also might be an idea to go through the Device Manager and see if Windows is reporting any corrupt/nonworking drivers and uninstalling them - hopefully windows will look for a compatible driver.

Are you using Windows 7?

**barry69922898** · #7 17-04-2010, 10:32 AM

Cheers mike81 and revolver for the replies, yeah i undid my system restore and touch wood its working ok now. Im using windows xp, abit slow but its does the job like. I was thinking of upgrading the ram, on ebay you can buy 1gb of used ram for �20 compatable for this laptop, would that be ok to use or would i be best to stay away from used ram? Thanks.

**revolver** · #8 17-04-2010, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry69922898

Cheers mike81 and revolver for the replies, yeah i undid my system restore and touch wood its working ok now. Im using windows xp, abit slow but its does the job like. I was thinking of upgrading the ram, on ebay you can buy 1gb of used ram for �20 compatable for this laptop, would that be ok to use or would i be best to stay away from used ram? Thanks.

Personally i wouldn't unless its from a good company on ebay who have tested it and made sure it works well.

I would check out ebuyer, aria, misco and those kind of places to see what they have. I scarsely feel you will be paying a great deal of money for 1gb of ram - plus i know Aria have good technical support and can advise on whats best.

(and windows XP will be alot quicker than having Vista. I hate vista but im stuck with it)

**barry69922898** · #9 17-04-2010, 10:45 AM

Yeah thats the one thing i made sure of when i bought this laptop was to avoid vista, my mate has it on his and says its rubbish. Sorry to ask another question, but how would i go about updating my processor aswell? Also meant to ask, is there any chance that this laptop could play re-writable cds/dvds? Sorry for another question. lol.

**revolver** · #10 17-04-2010, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry69922898

Yeah thats the one thing i made sure of when i bought this laptop was to avoid vista, my mate has it on his and says its rubbish. Sorry to ask another question, but how would i go about updating my processor aswell? Also meant to ask, is there any chance that this laptop could play re-writable cds/dvds? Sorry for another question. lol.

I'm not big on laptops but from my understanding (someone else may need to confirm) you cant update much more than Ram and Harddrive. Alot of what comes with a laptop is what you're stuck with.

As for a new cd/dvd drive, again im not certain you can just replace the one you have but i would image that you can? If not then you can always get an exterior drive to plug into a USB.

**barry69922898** · #11 17-04-2010, 11:17 AM

Cheers for the reply, yeah if im stuck i will just get an external cd/dvd drive and use it instead. Thanks for the help anyways.

**mike81** · #12 17-04-2010, 11:25 AM

CD drives can be replaced but are a bitch (depending on the laptop) as you might have to completely dismantle it.

I get my RAM from Crucial. And have bought around 30 modules this year for customers machines and (touch wood) have not had any problems.

http://www.crucial.com/uk/

Use their scanner to find out exactly what you need.

**revolver** · #13 17-04-2010, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike81

http://www.crucial.com/uk/

Use their scanner to find out exactly what you need.

Apparantly i have two available ram slots. I really should look at my system spec a bit closer.

I can have also upto 8TB of ram. I remember being told that 128mb of ram would be more than enough for the next 5 years back in 2000. It wasn't.

**mike81** · #14 17-04-2010, 11:34 AM

8TB!!! Are you sure? You mean 8GB right?

**barry69922898** · #15 17-04-2010, 11:51 AM

Well i have 0 free slots soo im goin to have take out one of the 512mb to put in a 1gb. Hardly seems worth it as i can only go up to 2gb.

**stenelly** · #16 17-04-2010, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry69922898

Well i have 0 free slots soo im goin to have take out one of the 512mb to put in a 1gb. Hardly seems worth it as i can only go up to 2gb.

from 512mb to 2 gb should show a marked improvement quite noticeable

**revolver** · #17 17-04-2010, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike81

8TB!!! Are you sure? You mean 8GB right?

Quote:

Maximum Memory Capacity: 8388608 MB

Might be a glitch? I did buy high when i built this machine in the view of upgrading components. Got the Asus m4a79-deluxe. Cost about �150. Also spent a good amount on everything else, but the graphics card is starting to feel its age.

**Burdock** · #18 17-04-2010, 09:34 PM

This is a good site if you are thinking of a doing a DIY job on your laptop. They give step by step guides together with photos.

http://www.irisvista.com/tech/

If your model isn't there, choose one close to it.... there won't be much difference.

I've dismantled a few now to make repairs... not lost one in surgery yet!!