How to ID manufacturer of this Comp USA Norwood micro drive

[LT9000]

I bought a Norwood micro DVD-writer at Comp USA. Mixed in w/ the ones that said DW1650 [BenQ] on the box was a smaller box that looked just like it, but with no similar numbers. I'm hoping it's a BenQ 1640.

It was manufactured in June 2005. I have the serial on the drive, but it does not say BenQ or anything like that on the drive.

How can I verify what this drive is without installing it first?

[yoda313]

Try a net search with the serial number. See what pops up.

[budz]

Look at the box on 1 side of it there should either be DW1650 or DW1640. Look on the drive itself it should say DW1650 or DW1640 as well. If DW1650 or DW1640 is not on the box or on the drive itself then it's not a rebadged BENQ drive. There have been reports at some COMPUSA's the drive is another manufacturer other than BENQ if the DW1650 or DW1640 is not on the box or drive. Look at your box closely and report back.

Too bad I just dumped 2 Norwood Micro boxes a few days ago. Otherwise I would have taken a pic of the DW1650 & DW1640 to show you where to look on the box.

[LT9000]

I did all that inside the store. The one that said 1650 was right above the bar code.

Nor does the drive say any of that.

Here's what I got off the internet:

SKU: 320106
Short Description: Norwood Micro Dual Format DVD Recorder Double Layer
Long Description: Norwood Micro Dual Format DVD Recorder Double Layer
Manufacturer Product Number:
Manufacturer Contact Information: FMI

http://fmi.compusa.com/driver.asp?SKU=320106

Looks like a miss.

I guess I could swap it for the other one or just return it and go w/ the Pioneer for 20 bucks more at BB.

[LT9000]

I suppose it's a toss up between the rebadged BenQ 1650 for $40 after rebate or the Pioneer 111d for $60.

I had been originally been leaning towards the Pioneer though, if for no other reason than BQ just went to Liteon.

Thanks for all the help BTW Budz et al.

[yoda313]

You can get the pioneer 111 for less than $40 at newegg or tigerdirect. Newegg offers free 3 day shipping on the 111. I just bought mine last week and I've got it working just fine.

[budz]

If the drive you got says DW1650 then it's a rebadged BENQ 1650 drive. Install it on your pc and check the firmware on it.

Download the firmware check from this site:
http://www.benq-eu.com/ServiceAndSupport/downloads/downloads.cfm?product=838&type=B

You have 21 days to return the drive to COMPUSA if you don't like iit. I'd install the drive and see what firmware is on it to confirm if iit's a rebadged BENQ 1650 or not. BENQ 1650 firmware should begin with BC.

[budz]

If want the PIONEER 710 drive which is the retail 111D drive get it from BEST BUY for $59.99 the sale ends today. Some say the retail drive is much quieter than the Newegg OEM version.

[LT9000]

If the drive you got says DW1650 then it's a rebadged BENQ 1650 drive. Install it on your pc and check the firmware on it.

Download the firmware check from this site:
http://www.benq-eu.com/ServiceAndSupport/downloads/downloads.cfm?product=838&type=B

You have 21 days to return the drive to COMPUSA if you don't like iit. I'd install the drive and see what firmware is on it to confirm if iit's a rebadged BENQ 1650 or not. BENQ 1650 firmware should begin with BC.

delete by user.

[LT9000]

You can get the pioneer 111 for less than $40 at newegg or tigerdirect. Newegg offers free 3 day shipping on the 111. I just bought mine last week and I've got it working just fine.

What about software, I need Nero.

[budz]

I got NERO with the NORWOOD MICRO rebadged BENQ 1650 & 1640 drives. I only installed NERO BURNING ROM all the other stuff I didn't need from NERO. Don't install the INCD program because it is known to cause conflict with other burning software.

Didn't you get a OEM version of NERO with your NORWOOD MICRO drive?

[LT9000]

If the drive you got says DW1650 then it's a rebadged BENQ 1650 drive. Install it on your pc and check the firmware on it.

Download the firmware check from this site:
http://www.benq-eu.com/ServiceAndSupport/downloads/downloads.cfm?product=838&type=B

You have 21 days to return the drive to COMPUSA if you don't like iit. I'd install the drive and see what firmware is on it to confirm if iit's a rebadged BENQ 1650 or not. BENQ 1650 firmware should begin with BC.

No, I got the other one trying for the 1640. They had one though.

[budz]

No, I got the other one trying for the 1640. They had one though.

I'm lost as to what you're trying to say.

[LT9000]

I got NERO with the NORWOOD MICRO rebadged BENQ 1650 & 1640 drives. I only installed NERO BURNING ROM all the other stuff I didn't need from NERO. Don't install the INCD program because it is known to cause conflict with other burning software.

Didn't you get a OEM version of NERO with your NORWOOD MICRO drive?

Heh, yeah there is a CD in there - nero 6.3.1.26

[LT9000]

No, I got the other one trying for the 1640. They had one though.

I'm lost as to what you're trying to say.

I'm saying I got the one w/ no numbers hoping it would be a 1640. There was one there marked dw 1650 which I know is a BQ.

I'll either swap for it, or return it to Comp USA, and just get the Pioneer at BB for now.

[budz]

Oh, I see...then go back to COMPUSA and see if the 1640 is still available. If not then get the PIONEER retail 710 from Best Buy. If you buy the drive today Best Buy has a online coupon for 10% discount but it ends today.

[budz]

http://www.dealcatcher.com/redir.asp?m=681&c=66390

here's the link for the download for the 10% coupon for BEST BUY

[Bodyslide]

In Store Only for the Coupon....

[budz]

Yup the coupon is for instore only but I assumed he would go to BB & not order it online.

[Bodyslide]

I know... Just Having some Holiday Fun... plus I don't get off work til 1:00am....SO I can't use it... Wish I could, maybe next time....Thanks for the Coupon

[budz]

your welx Bodyslide!
Wait till BB has it on sale again for $40.00 instant savings that's the time to buy it. I got mine that way with a extra 12% off with a coupon and using my rewards card.

[LT9000]

Oh, I see...then go back to COMPUSA and see if the 1640 is still available. If not then get the PIONEER retail 710 from Best Buy. If you buy the drive today Best Buy has a online coupon for 10% discount but it ends today.

The 1650 was the one they had, I was trying for the 1640 but missed it.

[budz]

The 1650 is a good drive. I have 2 of them which are excellent readers. No problems with any burns as well.

[LT9000]

Yup the coupon is for instore only but I assumed he would go to BB & not order it online.

Just got back from trying that, BB was already shutdown. The instant rebate is through July 8th though.

Oh well, my new PC went on sell by $77 plus a new $50 rebate. I made CC match it. So at least I won on that one yesterday.

Thanks again for your comments.

Happy 4th.

[LT9000]

OK Pioneer from BB it is.

Now if I can just find a drive that will rip/read where most fail.