Swap OEM CD ROM Drive for DVD RW Drive?

[mdcalvert]

I have a Compaq Presario Model 1688 Laptop that was new in 12/1999. It came with a CD ROM Drive. What are the odds that I might find a Compaq DVD burner drive that would swap out with the OEM CD ROM Drive? If it can be done, does anyone know of a proven source of parts with which to make the change?

Thanks in advance,

MDC

[Granny]

but ok, I did a search, and I cannot even see a replacement cd drive for that model..

You might have some luck if you search very patiently, but that model is quite old, and you need to make sure that whatever you buy is fully compatible, since Compaq used to be famous for requiring proprietary parts (and, being a laptop) it's touchy trying to upgrade.

Laptops are a 'whole nother ballgame' when it comes to upgrading. I have done so with a toshiba laptop that was about 5 years old, (for use by my young grandson), and with the price of new laptops being so low now, had to wonder, when I had finished, if it was worth the effort!

Does your laptop support USB 2? If it does, you may have more luck with an external dvd drive.

I am assuming that the usb 2 is provided thru use of a pcmcia card?

I did successfully run an external DVD burner on my toshiba - of course, it did little to enhance the portability of the unit, but it worked!!

Sorry to not be more helpful.

[Kees]

# mdcalvert
Granny is right. I would not invest a penny in a laptop that is that old. If you are lucky (!) it has an USB 1.1 bus, which is as good as unusable for any external device, so you have to buy an pcmcia card adapter first. It is a dead-end road. Just use it for what it is still good at doing.