Will an internal drive be damaged easier than an external one if I travel?

[Sir Joe]

Hi to all!

I went on a shop to buy a dvd writer, and want to choose not an external one but a box with an internal one fitted in, which is a cheaper solution.
Vendor told me that internal drives are not made to be carried, nor if they where fitted on a specific box. I asked if he meant "carried while turned on, while using them", he answered no, never, nor when turned off. They are made to stay always on a desk. And if I want a writer to use with a notebook, wich means that I probably will move, I have to buy an external drive. I asked if this is valid only when one is a business man who moves a lot, because i move very few, and he told me that this doesn´t change things and I must buy an external one (which is more expensive)
So, I ask, is it true? If I buy an internal dvd writer with one of those boxes, when I travel it can be damaged easier than an external one?
And what about "internal drives" into a laptop? Following the theory of this man, a half-height drive would not resist as a slim-size?

[redwudz]

I'm aware of no difference between a DVD internal drive and an DVD external drive in a enclosure. The enclosure itself might have some sort of vibration dampening, though I've never seen that. You don't want to move any optical drive if it has a disc it that is being accessed. But other than that, I'm aware of no problems. Most optical drives will run on their sides if they have the clips for the disc tray. That's just to keep the disc from falling out when you open the tray.

Sounds like they want to sell a more expensive external drive combo. When somebody comes up with a statement like that, ask them where they got that info, so you can look it up. I'd like to see such a reference myself.

On a internal notebook DVD drive like mine, you have to push the disc over the center hub to lock it in to play it. It won't fall out upside down, but I wouldn't recommend playing it that way. That may be where he got the idea from. Just remove your discs from the external drive before transporting, and you should have no problems.

[edDV]

There are many laptops and drives designed for rugged handling but expect to pay a large premium. The flimsy stuff you find retail isn't that. I doubt their extended warranty contracts will pay for drops.

If he says the external drive is more rugged. Have him prove it with a comp warranty that includes free replacement.

[PeterMoe]

And what about "internal drives" into a laptop? Following the theory of this man, a half-height drive would not resist as a slim-size?

* If you can afford it - get an internal notebook drive from your notebook manufacturer.
* 2nd best shot for a newbie should be an external usb/firewire DVD writer. Take your notebook to she shop and try the unit before you buy.
* 3rd option (usually cheapest) buy an enclosure and drive and stick them together - and hope the combination you bought will work together and with your notebook.

To give you some explanations...

You easierst option will be replacing the CD or DVD reader you have in your notebook with a DVD writer from your notebook manufacturer. You get these drives for most good notebookes and you should have no compatibiliy issues. This will not be the cheapest option and for older notebooks there might be no drives available.

Big advantage of an internal drive is that you don't have to carry another box and you need no mains power - so you can burn DVD's mobile.

If you go for an enclosure/drive unit is you can take your notebook to the shop and try it there. I found that not all exteranl DVD writers work with all computers. LG make some that are firewire/usb - that's what I'd recommend, but again: test before you buy.

If you buy an enclosure and separate DVD burner there might be issues:

* Some the burners and enclosure are just not compatible.
* Some usb enclosures and some laptops/PC's are just not compatible.
* Some burners are rather long and won't fit into certain enclosures.
* Some enclosures do not supply enough power to the drive.

Many people recommend to use firewire/usb enclosures and using firewire if possible. Firewire seems to be much more reliable. Even if firewire is 400 Mb/s and usb is 480 Mb/s, firewire seems to give faster consistent writing speed. Obviously firewire/usb units are more expensive than usb only, but it's worth it as it can avoid problems. My enclosure are all usb only, so I'm just telling you what I heard/read.

Hope this was not too confusing.

To give you one example from my experience: I had an older Omni usb enclosure that worked fine with an older Panasonic sinlge layer drive. Then I bought a Vantec usb enclosure and a Panasonic 109 - and these did not like each other. My solution was mounting the Panasonic DVD in the Vantec and the Pioneer DVD in the Omni. So being able to swap has saved me there.

[Sir Joe]

* 3rd option (usually cheapest) buy an enclosure and drive and stick them together - and hope the combination you bought will work together and with your notebook.

Hi Peter, And Thanks...
I will check with dell for the first option, didn´t thought it, thanks!
I would like You to read what Toshiba, the manufacturer of my laptop drive, wrote me when I asked them if their internal drives would have been able to travel, and what about compatibilities with these boxes:
"All our products are designed and build for internal use only. Internal use of our products covers slight movements of a laptop, too.
I know that some of our customers do use our products even externally. A lot of them do have trouble, because you need an external box which is fully pinned (all contacts of connector) in order to work externally. Most of the boxes on the market are not fully pinned.
In order to make sure that a drive will work with your Notebook you should follow the recommendations of your dealer. (=to buy an external drive and not to adapt an internal one)."

Well, as many people use these boxes, I suppose that maybe his opinion can be a little exagerated for caution, in case he tells me no problem and then I yes have a problem.
But, he seems to be sure of what he says.

I am asking to myself: what does it mean "fully pinned?" And how is it possible that these boxes are not fully pinned if they come for theorically any drive?

* Some enclosures do not supply enough power to the drive.

is there a way to know if the one I should buy does it or not?

Many people recommend to use firewire/usb enclosures and using firewire if possible. Firewire seems to be much more reliable.

Well, I was just searching infos about this, You where perfectly syncronized! So, pleae, tell me, to use one of these firewire, I should have a specific port, as to buy a pcmcia firewire adapter, or they can connect through usb? I confess that I completely ignore what a firewire is...

Peter, no, you were not confusing at all, it was clear and very usefull, and I thank You...
Bye!

[redwudz]

FireWire is usually better, but you would need a FireWire PCMCIA card, if you don't have that input on your laptop.

USB sometimes has problems when you have other USB devices plugged in at the same time. Either type interface will work, FireWire just seems to have fewer problems. The chipset used in the external box can make a big difference also.

Here's a thread about FireWire VS USB 2.0 that may be helpful: https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?p=1472684#1472684

[Sir Joe]

FireWire is usually better, but you would need a FireWire PCMCIA card, if you don't have that input on your laptop.

Interesting. Many ones anyway seem to prefer usb.
I have a new: I chatted with a Dell representant. They suggest, OF COURSE, to buy only products available in Dell store. Well, ok, maybe it is because they really trust just these brands, but...
I so checked, and diskovred a certain Origin Storage, which Dell seems to like...
They make a slimline external dvd writer multiformat also dvd-ram, a bit slower than bigger ones, but, hey, it is slim!
Does anybody know this brand?
Well, may it is better if I post this question on a new post.
Here is the question: they make this writer in three versions, with usb connection, or firewire, or pcmcia.
Now, my laptop has got no firewire, and no usb 2. I have two pcmcia slot, and I am thinking to buy a pcmcia adapter with two usb 2 ports. So, I could connect usb. I could buy a pcmcia firewire adapter. But, IF I CAN CONNECT DIRECTLY THROUGH PCMCIA, NO USB OR FIREWIRE ADAPTER NEEDED, IS IT BETTER, SURER AND FASTER?

[Sir Joe]

[quote="PeterMoe"]

* If you can afford it - get an internal notebook drive from your notebook manufacturer.

Peter, I just now chatted with Dell: I did not understood why, but they say my system is not designed to have an internal dvd writer. Can it be?

[ofbarea]

I do not not know about your laptop, but my IBM Thnkpad X-31 does not have space for any CD DVD or burner...

[Sir Joe]

I do not not know about your laptop, but my IBM Thnkpad X-31 does not have space for any CD DVD or burner...

Mine has got a dvd-rom toshiba... Well, lately Dell latino america vendor told me that my motherboard does not support dvd writers... Now I know, but still can´t believe it can be possible...

[classfour]

The Plextor 716UF external that I have doesn't appear to be any more reliable than the 712A that I installed into an external enclosure - I'm not concerned about damaging one any more than the other by throwing it in my laptop bag and packing it alone; this also goes for the two Panny externals that I have: One an OEM external, another one that I installed in an enclosure. I think the main thing is the quality of the external enclosure, if it's just a box with a questionable power supply and nonexistent cooling, the drive won't last long. period.

[Sir Joe]

I think the main thing is the quality of the external enclosure, if it's just a box with a questionable power supply and nonexistent cooling, the drive won't last long. period.

Well, at this point I can´t avoid asking you which enclosure would you suggest for a slimline writer,and peraps, a good place where to buy it in internet (as where to buy the drive)...
I am tired to wait for this guy (the vendor) to send me infos about external drives available in Argentina. I will buy in internet. Decided.

[ofbarea]

I will buy in internet. Decided.

I bough several gadgets in internet and I’ve been fortunate so far…

Good luck