CDWR for laptop

Dingatron

Guys. I've been asked to source a CDRW for a laptop running NT. It has the usual ports etc. plus USB 1.1. As USB is not supported under NT what are my options. I presume the way to go is PCMCIA (expensive) or install W98 and get use of USB. Don't fancy option 2 but probably a cheaper alternitive. Or is there any other alternitives I'm missing?

Typedef

Freecom Portable II CD Re-Writer - 4x/4x/20x - External
Travellor II cable system means you can use this drive with SCSI, PCMCIA, USB 2, and Parallel

Notice Parallel. Thus no need for USB. Plus not expensive like firewire and supported even under NT.

€265.83

Dingatron

Thanks Typedef. That will do fine. Where did you get that price from?

BigEejit

But because it is parallel port you wont get much better than burning at 4X ... in fact the traveller 4424 that we had at work with the parallel port cable (pass through dongle, with a shortish cable coming out of one side) never got better than 1 X on a lot of PC's....

GUI

parallel port burning is a waste of time!

Krusty_Clown

Ding, if it's a branded laptop (e.g. Dell) you may be able to buy a drive from them, which replaces the current drive in the system..

For example, on Dell's website, [when ordering a new laptop] you can upgrade to a 40/10/40 CD-RW for an extra €197.00.

Naturally, it would cost more than this to purchase one as an accessory, but it would be a damn site faster than parallel...

Problem may be getting drivers for NT.

They also have upgrades to DVD/CDRW combos.

sceptre

Originally posted by ding
As USB is not supported under NT

Yes it is.

Support was added with service pack 6
(it also added DVD support)

The problem as people have mentioned is that support was added so late in the product cycle that many manufacturers haven't bothered to write NT drivers for their USB products.

Dingatron

Thanks for the replys. Bit the bullet and got an external USB for 200 euros.