installing my new LG DVD writer

[pjblevin]

I just got my new LG 4160B DVD writer delivered yesterday, and I'm ready to install it. I don't have any questions regarding the actual installation of the new unit. Done that a few times. But here's my problem. My present setup consists of two CD drives.......a read-only drive in the top slot that came with the PC......and a CD-writer that I later added. I had wanted to leave this CD-writer intact, and install the new unit in the upper bay where the original read-only drive rests. But, on reading the instructions in the LG owner's manual, I'm told to uninstall the CD-burning software that I've got on board. So now I'm confused.......should I put the new LG unit into the top slot, replacing the read-only unit......or should it go into the bottom bay where my current CD burner resides? If I install it in the bottom bay, will the LG unit have the same CD-writing funtionality as I had before? I know these are basic questions, but I'm completely new to PC-based DVD drives. I appreciate any help you can give.

pjblevin

[BobV]

I've had the same or a similar question. I know from past experience that the burning software that comes with burner expects to find the manufacturer of the burner that it came with installed on the PC in order to work. Will the software also work on all burners installed on the PC regardless of their manufacturer?

If so then keep the bottom burner and replace the original top CD reader. I have a feeling this is going to very according to the software company. So what was the name of the software provided?

[pjblevin]

BobV: The title of the software that came with the LG unit is "LG DVD Writer Solution".

pjblevin

[BobV]

I'd just have to go for replacing the cd reader with your new burner and software install. Hopefull the new software will also access your older burner too. Worse case scenairo, you buy NERO or live with two burning programs. Give it a shot.

[pjblevin]

BobV: In the end, I installed the DVD burner in the top bay, replacing the CD-ROM. I disconnected the cabling, but left the CD burner in the bottom tray, just so I wouldn't have to look at an empty hole. When I fired it up, I had anxieties about just how much this one drive could do. So I put it to work.......I copied & burned a CD. Then I played a music CD. Then I copied & burned a DVD. Then I played a commercial DVD. And then I played a burned DVD. All this with just one drive. So far I can't find anything that the lone DVD burner can't do!!

pjblevin

[pjblevin]

BobV: I didn't have to "buy" Nero.......it came as part of the LG software.

pjblevin

[ViRaL1]

Most DVD burners pretty much do it all. However, if it doesn't burn CDs significatly faster than your current CD burner, I'd say don't waste the new drive on burning CDs. For me the ideal setup is having a DVD burner as master and a CDRW/DVD drive as slave, saving the ripping and CD burning for the less expensive drive, but I see this debated from time to time here.

[pjblevin]

ViRaL1: I appreciate your idea of not putting too many "miles" on the DVD burner doing stuff that can be done with a CD-WR. Back in the age of Napster, I burned a LOT of CD's. Now, I only occasionally burn a music CD. I do create a fair number data CD's, but not enough that it would put that much wear-and-tear on the DVD writer. The simplicity of having just one drive also appeals to me.