[Ham-Computers] DVD burner and 80 pin IDE cable, laser burning life

[Dale Miller]

Philip, KO6BB wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Today I "bit the bullet" and bought a DVD burner so I could back up my
> OTR (old time radio) files to DVD (up to 215GB worth of MP3's right now).
>
> Following the suggestions made on this list I looked for a "Pioneer"
> internal unit, but only found one Pioner model in two of the local
> stores (don't recall the model number).  But the box said it required
> a special 80 pin IDE cable for operation (not included).  I 'seem' to
> recall that the usual IDE cables are 40 pin cables, at least the ones
> I have here are. ALSO, the book that came with my computer suggested
> that any "upgrades" use the skinny round cables for all drives to keep
> from blocking airflow (it's what they used when it was built). 
> Naturally, none of the usual local sources had 80 pin IDE cables,
> skinny or flat!  AND, of course I'm not certain that my almost two
> year old computer could even handle an 80 Pin IDE cable. . .  I'd need
> to check the book on the MoBo (it has two IDE ports and 4 SATA ports).
>
> ANYWAY, I ended up buying an LG brand External 18X Multi DVD Rewriter
> that is supposed to do ALL DVD/CD formats, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD-RAM
> etc.   It even does "Lightscribe", so I guess it'll handle anything I
> throw at it.  I talked to the folks at the local Best Buy store and
> they said that they haven't had any problems with them coming back,
> so, we'll see.  So far they've never steered me wrong there. The price
> was reasonable and it seems to be well made, at least the case is.
>
> It came with the same Cyberlink software that is already on my
> computer, and in fact the existing Cyberlink software recognized the
> drive before I put the Install CD in the machine.  Nero also came with
> it, but unless I use the lightscribe feature that is supported by Nero
> I'd probably stay with the Cyberlink, I like it.
>
> As a final note, the instructions with this unit says it's expected
> life cycle is writing approximately 100,000 DVD's OR 1,000 Rewritable
> DVD's.  The Rewritable DVD's MUST put a lot more stress on the Laser
> or something?? I've never cared much for rewritable CD's and probably
> wouldn't use any rewritable DVD's anyway.
>
> 73 de Phil,  KO6BB
> http://www.ko6bb.com
> DX begins at the noise floor!
> Ten Meter CW Beacon KO6BB/B, 20 Watts 24/7 on 28.248MCs.
> Merced, Central California,    37.3N  120.48W  CM97sh

Phil, it is not an 80 pin ide cable. It is a 40 pin with 2 wires per pin.
Most new computers in the last few years have come with them.
Double check the parts list in your mobo manual and see what it says.



-- 
All the Best & 73's
Dale Miller, KC2CBD
Tennessee
Ham Operator since 1997
Member of YahooPipesmokers and ASP since February 2005

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