Techsurvivors

Archives => 2008 => Topic started by: Buck on November 16, 2008, 07:40:20 PM

Title: External DVD Drives
Post by: Buck on November 16, 2008, 07:40:20 PM
external DVD drives out there for under $100?
I'm on So-So-Security and can't afford to buy higher.
I want one only for playing games like Riven or Myst and OS System disk.
My built-in Optical DR quit.
I know this sounds dumb, but thats the way of it.
Lookin 4 a bargin. Thanks all, Buck
Title: External DVD Drives
Post by: Texas Mac Man on November 16, 2008, 08:16:10 PM
Whatever external drive you get, you want a firewire enclosure. Firewire is much faster than a USB drive.

I placed a WTB on LEMSwap & got an almost new 200GB firewire drive & cable for $50 shipped. You can join LEM-Swap for buying & selling Mac stuff at http://groups.google.com/group/lemswap
Title: External DVD Drives
Post by: Xairbusdriver on November 16, 2008, 10:09:54 PM
Need to find out about booting from an external DVD. Thinking.gif
Title: External DVD Drives
Post by: Paddy on November 16, 2008, 10:44:51 PM
Here you go, Buck:

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/optical-drives/

smile.gif
Title: External DVD Drives
Post by: sew on November 17, 2008, 02:18:04 AM
Check out Iomega.( http://store.iomega.com/section?p=4760&..._20081114_en_us )
Title: External DVD Drives
Post by: Mayo on November 17, 2008, 10:54:43 AM
I suggest changing the title of this thread to something like "External DVD Drives" for future searches on this subject...
Title: External DVD Drives
Post by: chriskleeman on November 17, 2008, 12:23:28 PM
Good idea Mayo, done!

Now Buck, if that's not ok with you, just say so!

Chris K biggrin.gif
Title: External DVD Drives
Post by: Buck on November 17, 2008, 08:54:54 PM
QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Nov 16 2008, 11:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Need to find out about booting from an external DVD. Thinking.gif
Title: External DVD Drives
Post by: Paddy on November 17, 2008, 11:35:20 PM
The OWC drives (or at least the first one I looked at which has the Pioneer DVR-116D mechanism) are bootable. smile.gif

See: http://forums.xlr8yourmac.com/drivedb/search.drivedb.lasso

Put in DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drives for drive type and Pioneer for the brand, with Firewire for the interface type and leave the rest blank. You'll see a number of reports which state that the drive is bootable. smile.gif
Title: External DVD Drives
Post by: Buck on November 18, 2008, 12:20:39 PM
QUOTE(Paddy @ Nov 18 2008, 12:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The OWC drives (or at least the first one I looked at which has the Pioneer DVR-116D mechanism) are bootable. smile.gif

See: http://forums.xlr8yourmac.com/drivedb/search.drivedb.lasso

Put in DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drives for drive type and Pioneer for the brand, with Firewire for the interface type and leave the rest blank. You'll see a number of reports which state that the drive is bootable. smile.gif


Very good read and I thank you for your help.
So now that I have the skinny as what has to be done. Consider this post closed. Thanks to all, Buck
Title: External DVD Drives
Post by: Xairbusdriver on November 18, 2008, 04:50:31 PM
QUOTE
Consider this post closed.
The threads are never 'closed' in the sense that they are no longer available. Your comments (and everyone elses) will be saved for eternity - 3 years. They may end up in a searchable archive here, but they are still accessible. Mainly this will allow anyone to search for a topic and learn from any previous data. The other reason is that any and all threads, 'closed' or not provide an outlet for those of us who can get no respect anywhere else! rofl.gif

Seriously, thanks for reporting that your problem is solved. Sometimes people forget to ever mention that, and it leaves us wondering. Thinking.gif smile.gif
Title: External DVD Drives
Post by: george on November 22, 2008, 06:35:26 AM
whilst on external drives I have I already have a DC Jack, USB 2, Firewire IEEE 1394 enclosure but a small capacity drive which I would like to replace with the 750gb ST3750640AS Q which would match what is already pre-installed in my Intel iMac.
Any reasons why not? Mavens opinions please.
George
Title: External DVD Drives
Post by: Paddy on November 22, 2008, 07:22:52 AM
George, the only limitation may be from the manufacturer of the enclosure. I know some enclosures used to have capacity limits. If you can, do a search on the enclosure and see if you can find any limits.

Also, if you're buying another drive anyway, I'd consider this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16822136284

It seems to have a generally lower failure rate than any of the other Seagate, Hitachi, Samsung or WD drives. smile.gif
Title: External DVD Drives
Post by: george on November 22, 2008, 07:37:13 AM
Paddy,thanks for the link there does not appear to be a negative review on it, with regard to your advice on the enclosure unfortunately I do not have any literature on it and on inspection of the exterior there is no info regarding manufacturer. It is sleek in appearance and does what it is supposed to do but is EXTREMELY difficult to disassemble however I shall take it apart and have a looksee.
George
Title: External DVD Drives
Post by: george on November 22, 2008, 08:04:01 AM
furthermore I have checked enclosures ( I have two ) both of which have PL 3507 chips can they handle 750gb HDD?
George
Title: External DVD Drives
Post by: krissel on November 22, 2008, 11:13:03 AM
There are reports of problems with Windows users but that may be a symptom of that OS. Also the bridge version may make a difference as the later ones seem to support large drives but the earlier version need firmware updates. Of course the updates are for Windows.  dry.gif

This has a compatibility list:

http://www.prolific.com.tw/eng/downloads.asp?ID=72

More downloads from Prolific:

http://www.prolific.com.tw/eng/Download-2.asp?ID=18

Some reported problems booting from those drives controllers:

http://www.macworld.com/article/46473/2005/08/fwbooting.html

Title: External DVD Drives
Post by: george on November 22, 2008, 11:46:17 AM
if i were to stay with these enclosures it is likely there would be troubled waters ahead, can someone recommend a tried and tested enclosure that will support a 750gb or a 1tb HDD
George
Title: External DVD Drives
Post by: krissel on November 22, 2008, 12:04:29 PM
From a recent thread:

http://www.techsurvivors.net/forums/index....mp;hl=enclosure

Paddy recommended:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817347017

or with a fan:

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ministack/HD_Enclosure_Kits
Title: External DVD Drives
Post by: Xairbusdriver on November 22, 2008, 12:56:21 PM
If you just need a TB capable enclosure (not sure about DVD capabilities) the <OWC miniStack> (also available at a few other places). I know it handles 1TB HHD because that's what I have in it. About to order another for my wife since the cheap one I bought drives us both crazy with its loud fan. Fans are like children, they should be seen but not heard! laugh.gif This enclosure is not the cheapest but it is absolutely silent. I see that they now offer e-SATA options, also.
Title: External DVD Drives
Post by: Paddy on November 22, 2008, 10:08:14 PM
Shipping and import duties would be a killer, Jim. George is on the other side of the pond, remember. wink.gif Also, I've seen quite a few reports that those are very noisy (one guy described it as a "cicada on meth") - if you think they're quiet, then that "cheap" one must be some noisy drive!

All of my external drives are in aluminum enclosures with no fans. Never had any problems with them and they're very quiet.

The Macally enclosure: http://www.macheaven.co.uk/?page=proddetail&prod=28385 - a staggering £54...and that seemed to be the cheapest one I could find of the several dealers I checked. tongue.gif




Title: External DVD Drives
Post by: Xairbusdriver on November 23, 2008, 02:58:56 PM
I can't hear mine, even if I turn the cheap one OFF! But I can see the blades turning... Never heard the one(s) in the iMac, either. Only time I hear the iBook is when it starts up from dead cold. Must be a bad batch of fans/blades. dntknw.gif If my next one makes any noise, I'm going for a fanless model! eek2.gif

Anyway, there should be a way to avoid those in-necessary charges. Maybe those 'mariners' off the coast of Africa could be convinced to start a shipping line across the 'pond.' Thinking.gif Legal and no shots being fired, continuous work, more comfortable working conditions, etc.