problems setting up USB 2.0 enclosure with my laptop

[ezyeags]

I am about ready to give up on my project to create an external DVD writer for use with my HP Pavilion ze4420us laptop. I originally bought a Plumax PM-525U2-PCB USB 2.0 enclosure on Dealsonic for about $28. Then, I ordered the TDK 440N 4x DVD internal burner for about $100 (after rebates). Finally, I ordered a generic PCMCIA Hi-speed USB 2.0 card for my laptop. I figured it would be a fun holiday project that would be easy enough to put together while saving a few dollars on the real external burners. However, its been days and I STILL cannot get my setup to work properly. My laptop recognizes the external drive model okay and sometimes even the correct installed DVD title (in My Computer), but it freezes when I go to play the drive. Thinking it could be the TDK drive causing me problems, I returned the drive and picked up a cheap Lite-On 411S drive for $89 after rebates. Same problems with the Lite-On drive though. Recognizes the drive and DVD title, but wont play. I've tried reinstalling all sorts of drivers, but no luck. I tried plugging the drive into my low-speed USB port (on rear of laptop) and it actually plays okay-- a little jumpy though. At this point, I'm thinking I may need to just get a desktop computer if I want to do any DVD burning, or spend close to $300 for an external drive from a manufacturer.
I'd appreciate any last-minute suggestions you can offer before I return my enclosure and Lite-On drive.

[Coopervid]

My guess is that it's the enclosure but it could also be the PCMCIA card. I have a NEC1300A in a combined Firewire / USB2.0 enclosure made by ADS and that works just great also with the laptop and an USB2.0 PCMCIA card.

Can you put a hard disk in the enclosure to check if that works? If yes, I'm tempted to say that your enclosure doesn't work very well with optical drives.

Vid

[redwudz]

I used a similar setup with my HP ZE4101 laptop. Generic USB 2.0 card. Never got it to work for burning DVD's with a Pioneer 104, but it would burn CD's. The external case I had also had Firewire and that worked perfectly. Not sure if it was a USB problem with the computer, the card adapter or the box, but the drive would work fine in my desktop PC using USB 2. Try it with a desktop computer. USB 2 will work, but Firewire is more compatible. I got a generic Firewire cardbus card for about the same price as the USB card.

[alinero]

i had the same problem with the usb 2.0 and started using firewire and it works well. so u should get a firewire external enclosure that should fix your problem

[QuaiBoy]

I disagree that USB2.0 is the problem. It may be that the lowend USB2.0 enclosures people try may have shoddy electronics and the lowend Firewire products don't. Fireware boxes usually cost more than comparable USB products however. I like low cost PC parts as much as anyone else, and usually buy them. Lots of people have had problems will lowend USB2.0 enclosures and DVD writers. Many burning apps do not appreciate certain brands of IDE to USB convertors in between them and the drive. Drives that work well in PCs refuse to work in such boxes.

I also have an ADS enclosure (USB2.0 only) to be able to share my Pioneer 106 between my PC and my 'top and it is the way to go. Solid construction, near silent fan, and an excellent look! A few extra bucks will save you ten-fold in headaches. This works perfectly (ie-like it's not even there) with Nero 6 on my Compaq x1000 and Athlon XP2500 systems, Intel and nVidia/Realtek USB controllers respectively. I purchased mine from Outpost.com. The model is USBX-804:
http://shop4.outpost.com/product/3778436

It's a VERY easy install... if you've installed a drive in a PC then you can assemble this box. At least you won't have to return the enclosure AND the PCMCIA card... just return the enclosure.

If you want to stick with the enclosure or if you still have problems after you get a ADS, then try it on another machine... preferably a highspeed PC to make sure it isn't an issue with your 'top.
Best of Luck,
-Evan-

[sitlet]

yeah i had my dvd burner in a usb2.0 enclosure and it would burn cds and dvd+rw, nothing else. so i bought a firewire enclosure and now everything is fine.

[Coopervid]

QuaiBoy,

I support your theory. Cheap enclosure / only for HDD is my guess.
Let's see what the problem really was.

Kind of keen to see your results. So - what's up?

Vid

[ezyeags]

Thanks for the feedback so far, gang. I figured I would wait on my own response to first hear everyone out. It sounds like the majority of you suggest me getting a Firewire enclosure and cardbus (or at least a higher quality USB enclosure). Points well taken. I guess I thought that the Plumax enclosures were good enough-- which may not be true.
Coopervid, I did try out an old Quantum "3.5 series" HD in the enclosure. It did not work for reasons which I suspect are related to the old HD itself. Home for the holidays so it was the only HD available to me. Also, no USB 2.0 desktop available to try.
I have been considering some other approaches to DVD burning that may ultimately be of comparable cost to me. I happen to have an old computer tower with 250w power supply and extra new 40Gig HD. What if I just got an AMD XP chip/motherboard combo for ~$90? Then again, I may be just asking for more problems. Also, right now, Dell is offering Dimension systems starting at $399 WITH free DVD 4x writer.
In the end, I was hoping to spend just $150 total for an external burner for my laptop. So far, I've spent ~$100 for the writer, ~$30 for the enclosure, and ~$20 for the cardbus. Now, it looks like I'll be returning everything (inlcuding the Lite-On writer). I'll probably just try to find the Firewire enclosure and cardbus in an electronics store this time around so I can easily return everything. I dont want to be stuck $shipping$ everything back again if I learn that my HP Pavilion laptop itself is the culprit.
Thanks again for the help so far. Maybe I'll go out in the snow today and find myself a Firewire enclosure. I'll keep you posted!

[snafu099]

I use three of the brand boxes you ahave. one with 52x cd burner, one with 120g ata100 hdd and one with nec 1300a dual format burner. use connected via usb2 nec chip add-on card with no problems even burning from usb hdd to usb dvd burner. pre-installed box in new hp laptop for ex-wife (xmas prsent from new hubby) worked great. Did backup of all pre-installed software. Aslo bought same box and nec 1300a for son who is using with no problems-same setup as mine except he runs xp and I only use 98se. Suspect something other than usb box.