Help please

hashbrown99

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I apologize in advance for what is a really noob question but I am confused:o

Both my DVD writers have officially died (don't read dvd's on the first try etc) and I went looking for a new writer today. Discovered that you don't really get IDE optical drives anymore :o and my options are SATA, SATA or SATA.

Planning to build a new system at the end of the year but obviously need a functional dvd writer until then.

I have the following mobo Asus P5ND2- sli deluxe (ancient I know :D) - is it compatible with a SATA writer? Sorry but I don't understand the whole SATA thing and Google is not giving me a clear answer

System specs include

Chipset

* NVIDIA nForce4 SLI Intel Edition SPP
o 400 - 1066MHz front side bus
o NVIDIA DualDDR2 Memory Controller
o One x16 PCI Express link for graphics card.ďż˝
+ Supports Scalable Link Interface Technology (SLI) for dual PCIe x8 interfaces
o Supports up to four PCI Express x1 lanes
* NVIDIA nForce4 SLI Intel Edition MCP
o Supports up to ten USB 2.0 ports
o Supports four SATA II ports
o Dual-channel Ultra ATA-133 IDE controller
o Supports up to six PCI slots

I/O Interface
* 1 x Floppy connector
* 2�x Ultra ATA IDE connectors
* 5�x SATA connectors
* 1 x SATA On-The-Go external SATA connector
* 10 x USB 2.0 ports (4 x rear, 2 x bracket, 4 x header)
* 2�x IEEE 1394a ports (1 x rear, 1 x bracket)
* 2�x RJ45 LAN ports
* 1 x Optical S/PDIF Output
* 1 x Coaxial S/PDIF Outputďż˝
* 8-Channel Audio I/O ports
* 1 x 9-pin serial port (bracket)
* 1 x Game port (bracket)
* 1 x parallel port (SPP/EPP/ECP)
* 1 x mini-DIN-6 PS/2 mouse port
* 1 x mini-DIN-6 PS/2 keyboard port

Will this work?http://www.hardwarezone.com/articles/view.php?cid=6&id=1636
 
If your motherboard has an SATA port or port(s) then the answer is simple. Yes, you can buy any SATA Optical drive.

It's really not that complicated.

If you have no SATA ports, then you need to source an IDE.
 
You post of your specs shows

* 5�x SATA connectors
* 1 x SATA On-The-Go external SATA connector

So yes, you certainly can have SATA drives...
 
Just check that your PSU has Sata connectors :O
You will also need a SATA cable :)
 
Wouldn't that come with the drive?

Most Retail pack DVD Writers come with a SATA data cable.

Check check to see id your psu has a spare sata power connector, its a black, looks like this

If it doesn't have then all you need is a sata power converter that looks like this . (It basically converts the connector from the old type (molex) to the new type)
 
Most Retail pack DVD Writers come with a SATA data cable.

Check check to see id your psu has a spare sata power connector, its a black, looks like this

If it doesn't have then all you need is a sata power converter that looks like this . (It basically converts the connector from the old type (molex) to the new type)

I have some of those cables in the first picture - also labeled Serial ATA :o. Think it's from a previously deceased PSU but a modular one like the PSU currently in my rig. Never used - think I'd be able to use it with the current PSU (A Raidmax)? Cannot find cables for new PSU anywhere

EDIT: Never mind clearly won't fit; different shape on the end going into PSU.

Take it you can buy these converters at your local PC shop?
 
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Most Retail pack DVD Writers come with a SATA data cable.

Check check to see id your psu has a spare sata power connector, its a black, looks like this

If it doesn't have then all you need is a sata power converter that looks like this . (It basically converts the connector from the old type (molex) to the new type)

Thanks for the molex converter tip, I'm going to need one of those :)
My old DVD just started acting up and would not read DVD discs, only CD's.
Then the weird thing is that a friend's DVD writer that I've borrowed starts doing the same thing.(Also IDE)

I don't get why it would be doing that :confused:
New board, processor and IDE cable :o
So don't understand why it's doing that, can't think of what the trouble may be, but going to replace with new SATA enabled DVD writer anyway...
 
Hee Hee. So my scenario boils down to me having put in my old writer and not the borrowed one :o

Swapped them out and all is good.

Time for some GRID. :D
 
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