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benjamintr

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Is it possible to replace the internal cd-rewritable drive part of an external CDR USB device?

I have a USB Sony External CD-ReWritable recorder model CRX100E/X.  (I'm using it with a Dell Inspiron 8100 laptop.)  I'm interested in replacing it with something new and faster.

What I'd like to know is...

Can I keep the external USB wiring/housing etc and just buy a new internal CD writer that will work in it?  I'd hate to throw out the whole thing and it seems much cheaper to just buy an internal if I can use it.

thanks,

-B
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kiranghag

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kiranghag

do it...
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I've opened the case and it looks like a normal IDE inside with ATAPI.
Very interesting. I have not had one open before, but if the cd rom part goes bad and not the adapter part of the mechanism, it would be cheaper to replace it with a standard IDE device that will sit inside the external housing. Very interesting. I will have to file this idea for future reference.
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but that would cost more at the moment...
if you can get hold of any higher speed drive from a friend just give it a try and burn at higher speed to see if it works without problems...
if it does, buy a new drive  for yourself, else find something else...
Yes it would cost more, but what is the point of upgrading if the speed stays just as slow because of the slow USB. The end result would be no gain whatsoever. If you can't afford to upgrade to USB2.0, keep what you have, it won't be any faster unless you have a faster interface.

I just looked at dell, and they have faster CD Burners that will fit in your laptop. At Ebay, the fastest one I could find for sale was a 24x10x24x. So this is another option.
>>ElectroNitz
>>but what is the point of upgrading if the speed stays just as slow

yes, i am aware of this fact...thats y i asked him to get hold of a faster drive and test...
Thanks for all the input so far!

I really don't want to spend a lot of money so I found a faster replacement internal on newegg.com.  I'll let everyone know what happens after I do the install.
Oh...forgot to mention.  The reason why I decided to look for something else in the first place is the drive I have right now is starting to get really flaky and make strange noises-- not just because it would be nice to have something faster.
since u are goingt o spend some cash on a replacement drive, try to get as faster as u can get within your budget...
I replaced the drive with a newer Sony internal and it literally installed itself after plugin with Win XP.  Works like a champ.  It's definitely not as fast as something not limited by the USB cable, but it does seem a bit faster than my old one.  I'm happy with the $40 compromise at the moment.

(I didn't want to go with an internal for the Dell, because I want the ability to move it to different machines when I need to.)

thanks all,

-B