My dvd drive burned out during system recovery. The position I am in now is
the hard drive has been wiped clean during the system recovery and I have
been unable to find an identical internal dvd drive replace the defective
unit.
So I have bought a new external dvd drive, but how can I install the driver
for this dvd drive if windows is not loaded on the PC.
Am I in a catch 22 situation where I cant install windows without a dvd
driver but I need windows installed to use the new dvd driver.

"LOLL" <LOLL@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:0ABA58F9-1B6C-492B-A583-4295CC34B604@microsoft.com...
> My dvd drive burned out during system recovery. The position I am in now
> is
> the hard drive has been wiped clean during the system recovery and I have
> been unable to find an identical internal dvd drive replace the defective
> unit.
> So I have bought a new external dvd drive, but how can I install the
> driver
> for this dvd drive if windows is not loaded on the PC.
> Am I in a catch 22 situation where I cant install windows without a dvd
> driver but I need windows installed to use the new dvd driver.

Is this a laptop or a desktop PC?

"LOLL" wrote:

> My dvd drive burned out during system recovery. The position I am in now is
> the hard drive has been wiped clean during the system recovery and I have
> been unable to find an identical internal dvd drive replace the defective
> unit.
> So I have bought a new external dvd drive, but how can I install the driver
> for this dvd drive if windows is not loaded on the PC.
> Am I in a catch 22 situation where I cant install windows without a dvd
> driver but I need windows installed to use the new dvd driver.

You don't need an "identical internal DVD drive", any old CD or DVD drive
will do. Also the Windows XP install CD has the drivers to run the external
DVD drive.

You have to set the BIOS to boot from CD. I'll bet your old drive is still
good.

Wky would any old drive do when the connectors are different for SATA and IDE
etc. HP support told me the only unit compatible would be a SATA unit. I
tried a new internal unit but it was incompatinle, for instamce it had a
ribbon cable and there was nowhere on the computers circuit board to bonnect
this cable.

"Mark Adams" wrote:

>
>
> "LOLL" wrote:
>
> > My dvd drive burned out during system recovery. The position I am in now is
> > the hard drive has been wiped clean during the system recovery and I have
> > been unable to find an identical internal dvd drive replace the defective
> > unit.
> > So I have bought a new external dvd drive, but how can I install the driver
> > for this dvd drive if windows is not loaded on the PC.
> > Am I in a catch 22 situation where I cant install windows without a dvd
> > driver but I need windows installed to use the new dvd driver.
>
> You don't need an "identical internal DVD drive", any old CD or DVD drive
> will do. Also the Windows XP install CD has the drivers to run the external
> DVD drive.
>
> You have to set the BIOS to boot from CD. I'll bet your old drive is still
> good.

Don't take Mark so literally!

He was pointing out you didn't need to obtain and install an *identical*
drive. Have a look here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...6820&name=SATA

*All* of them are SATA. :-)

Sort by best rating and this one's Number One:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151187

If you want an HP model -- one that can burn CDs, too, check this one
out:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827140042


LOLL wrote:
> Wky would any old drive do when the connectors are different for SATA
> and IDE etc. HP support told me the only unit compatible would be a
> SATA unit. I tried a new internal unit but it was incompatinle, for
> instamce it had a ribbon cable and there was nowhere on the computers
> circuit board to bonnect this cable.
>
> "Mark Adams" wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> "LOLL" wrote:
>>
>>> My dvd drive burned out during system recovery. The position I am
>>> in now is the hard drive has been wiped clean during the system
>>> recovery and I have been unable to find an identical internal dvd
>>> drive replace the defective unit.
>>> So I have bought a new external dvd drive, but how can I install
>>> the driver for this dvd drive if windows is not loaded on the PC.
>>> Am I in a catch 22 situation where I cant install windows without
>>> a dvd driver but I need windows installed to use the new dvd driver.
>>
>> You don't need an "identical internal DVD drive", any old CD or DVD
>> drive will do. Also the Windows XP install CD has the drivers to run
>> the external DVD drive.
>>
>> You have to set the BIOS to boot from CD. I'll bet your old drive is
>> still good.

On Sat, 17 Oct 2009 19:30:01 -0700, Mark Adams
<MarkAdams@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>
>
> "LOLL" wrote:
>
> > My dvd drive burned out during system recovery. The position I am in now is
> > the hard drive has been wiped clean during the system recovery and I have
> > been unable to find an identical internal dvd drive replace the defective
> > unit.
> > So I have bought a new external dvd drive, but how can I install the driver
> > for this dvd drive if windows is not loaded on the PC.
> > Am I in a catch 22 situation where I cant install windows without a dvd
> > driver but I need windows installed to use the new dvd driver.
>
> You don't need an "identical internal DVD drive", any old CD or DVD drive
> will do.


If the computer is a laptop, he probably does need an identical one.

If it's a desktop, it at least has to be identical with regard to SATA
vs. PATA. And some OEM desktops have a curved front panel and the DVD
drive should match that in shape.


> Also the Windows XP install CD has the drivers to run the external
> DVD drive.
>
> You have to set the BIOS to boot from CD. I'll bet your old drive is still
> good.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

"LOLL" wrote:

> Wky would any old drive do when the connectors are different for SATA and IDE
> etc. HP support told me the only unit compatible would be a SATA unit. I
> tried a new internal unit but it was incompatinle, for instamce it had a
> ribbon cable and there was nowhere on the computers circuit board to bonnect
> this cable.
>

You are correct in that regard. Some mainboards don't have provisions for
IDE cables. Probably soon all new boards will be SATA only. Nevertheless, the
CD/DVD drive can be "any old" SATA drive. It does not have to be "identical".
Go down to your local electronics store and buy a SATA DVD drive on sale-
whatever they have, it'll work.

How do you know the old drive is "burned out"? Check to see that it is or
isn't recognized in the BIOS. If it's not, double check both the power and
SATA cables. A loose connection will keep it from working.

To install from the external drive that you have already purchased, you must
set the BIOS to boot from a USB device. If the BIOS doesn't have a provision
for this, you might be outta luck. Check your owner's manual or call HP.

> "Mark Adams" wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > "LOLL" wrote:
> >
> > > My dvd drive burned out during system recovery. The position I am in now is
> > > the hard drive has been wiped clean during the system recovery and I have
> > > been unable to find an identical internal dvd drive replace the defective
> > > unit.
> > > So I have bought a new external dvd drive, but how can I install the driver
> > > for this dvd drive if windows is not loaded on the PC.
> > > Am I in a catch 22 situation where I cant install windows without a dvd
> > > driver but I need windows installed to use the new dvd driver.
> >
> > You don't need an "identical internal DVD drive", any old CD or DVD drive
> > will do. Also the Windows XP install CD has the drivers to run the external
> > DVD drive.
> >
> > You have to set the BIOS to boot from CD. I'll bet your old drive is still
> > good.

That is a great informative reply. Thank you so much.

"Mark Adams" wrote:

>
>
> "LOLL" wrote:
>
> > Wky would any old drive do when the connectors are different for SATA and IDE
> > etc. HP support told me the only unit compatible would be a SATA unit. I
> > tried a new internal unit but it was incompatinle, for instamce it had a
> > ribbon cable and there was nowhere on the computers circuit board to bonnect
> > this cable.
> >
>
> You are correct in that regard. Some mainboards don't have provisions for
> IDE cables. Probably soon all new boards will be SATA only. Nevertheless, the
> CD/DVD drive can be "any old" SATA drive. It does not have to be "identical".
> Go down to your local electronics store and buy a SATA DVD drive on sale-
> whatever they have, it'll work.
>
> How do you know the old drive is "burned out"? Check to see that it is or
> isn't recognized in the BIOS. If it's not, double check both the power and
> SATA cables. A loose connection will keep it from working.
>
> To install from the external drive that you have already purchased, you must
> set the BIOS to boot from a USB device. If the BIOS doesn't have a provision
> for this, you might be outta luck. Check your owner's manual or call HP.
>
> > "Mark Adams" wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > "LOLL" wrote:
> > >
> > > > My dvd drive burned out during system recovery. The position I am in now is
> > > > the hard drive has been wiped clean during the system recovery and I have
> > > > been unable to find an identical internal dvd drive replace the defective
> > > > unit.
> > > > So I have bought a new external dvd drive, but how can I install the driver
> > > > for this dvd drive if windows is not loaded on the PC.
> > > > Am I in a catch 22 situation where I cant install windows without a dvd
> > > > driver but I need windows installed to use the new dvd driver.
> > >
> > > You don't need an "identical internal DVD drive", any old CD or DVD drive
> > > will do. Also the Windows XP install CD has the drivers to run the external
> > > DVD drive.
> > >
> > > You have to set the BIOS to boot from CD. I'll bet your old drive is still
> > > good.

"LOLL" wrote:

> That is a great informative reply. Thank you so much.
>

Were you able to perform the install?

> "Mark Adams" wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > "LOLL" wrote:
> >
> > > Wky would any old drive do when the connectors are different for SATA and IDE
> > > etc. HP support told me the only unit compatible would be a SATA unit. I
> > > tried a new internal unit but it was incompatinle, for instamce it had a
> > > ribbon cable and there was nowhere on the computers circuit board to bonnect
> > > this cable.
> > >
> >
> > You are correct in that regard. Some mainboards don't have provisions for
> > IDE cables. Probably soon all new boards will be SATA only. Nevertheless, the
> > CD/DVD drive can be "any old" SATA drive. It does not have to be "identical".
> > Go down to your local electronics store and buy a SATA DVD drive on sale-
> > whatever they have, it'll work.
> >
> > How do you know the old drive is "burned out"? Check to see that it is or
> > isn't recognized in the BIOS. If it's not, double check both the power and
> > SATA cables. A loose connection will keep it from working.
> >
> > To install from the external drive that you have already purchased, you must
> > set the BIOS to boot from a USB device. If the BIOS doesn't have a provision
> > for this, you might be outta luck. Check your owner's manual or call HP.
> >
> > > "Mark Adams" wrote:
> > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > "LOLL" wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > My dvd drive burned out during system recovery. The position I am in now is
> > > > > the hard drive has been wiped clean during the system recovery and I have
> > > > > been unable to find an identical internal dvd drive replace the defective
> > > > > unit.
> > > > > So I have bought a new external dvd drive, but how can I install the driver
> > > > > for this dvd drive if windows is not loaded on the PC.
> > > > > Am I in a catch 22 situation where I cant install windows without a dvd
> > > > > driver but I need windows installed to use the new dvd driver.
> > > >
> > > > You don't need an "identical internal DVD drive", any old CD or DVD drive
> > > > will do. Also the Windows XP install CD has the drivers to run the external
> > > > DVD drive.
> > > >
> > > > You have to set the BIOS to boot from CD. I'll bet your old drive is still
> > > > good.

System Recovery does not uninstall Windows.

"LOLL" <LOLL@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:0ABA58F9-1B6C-492B-A583-4295CC34B604@microsoft.com...
> My dvd drive burned out during system recovery. The position I am in now
> is
> the hard drive has been wiped clean during the system recovery and I have
> been unable to find an identical internal dvd drive replace the defective
> unit.
> So I have bought a new external dvd drive, but how can I install the
> driver
> for this dvd drive if windows is not loaded on the PC.
> Am I in a catch 22 situation where I cant install windows without a dvd
> driver but I need windows installed to use the new dvd driver.

No I tried installing using the recovery discs again, this time using the
bios to boot from the external dvd drive which was listed ok on the bios
list. Then I got an all black screen with a white loading bar saying windows
was loading files. Then I got an error message #1012 saying "if this issue
continues contact HP".
I tried several times but I always end up with this message. I have two
different sets of recovery discs from HP for this computer and I tried both,
but I always get the error message

"Mark Adams" wrote:

>
>
> "LOLL" wrote:
>
> > That is a great informative reply. Thank you so much.
> >
>
> Were you able to perform the install?
>
> > "Mark Adams" wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > "LOLL" wrote:
> > >
> > > > Wky would any old drive do when the connectors are different for SATA and IDE
> > > > etc. HP support told me the only unit compatible would be a SATA unit. I
> > > > tried a new internal unit but it was incompatinle, for instamce it had a
> > > > ribbon cable and there was nowhere on the computers circuit board to bonnect
> > > > this cable.
> > > >
> > >
> > > You are correct in that regard. Some mainboards don't have provisions for
> > > IDE cables. Probably soon all new boards will be SATA only. Nevertheless, the
> > > CD/DVD drive can be "any old" SATA drive. It does not have to be "identical".
> > > Go down to your local electronics store and buy a SATA DVD drive on sale-
> > > whatever they have, it'll work.
> > >
> > > How do you know the old drive is "burned out"? Check to see that it is or
> > > isn't recognized in the BIOS. If it's not, double check both the power and
> > > SATA cables. A loose connection will keep it from working.
> > >
> > > To install from the external drive that you have already purchased, you must
> > > set the BIOS to boot from a USB device. If the BIOS doesn't have a provision
> > > for this, you might be outta luck. Check your owner's manual or call HP.
> > >
> > > > "Mark Adams" wrote:
> > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > "LOLL" wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > My dvd drive burned out during system recovery. The position I am in now is
> > > > > > the hard drive has been wiped clean during the system recovery and I have
> > > > > > been unable to find an identical internal dvd drive replace the defective
> > > > > > unit.
> > > > > > So I have bought a new external dvd drive, but how can I install the driver
> > > > > > for this dvd drive if windows is not loaded on the PC.
> > > > > > Am I in a catch 22 situation where I cant install windows without a dvd
> > > > > > driver but I need windows installed to use the new dvd driver.
> > > > >
> > > > > You don't need an "identical internal DVD drive", any old CD or DVD drive
> > > > > will do. Also the Windows XP install CD has the drivers to run the external
> > > > > DVD drive.
> > > > >
> > > > > You have to set the BIOS to boot from CD. I'll bet your old drive is still
> > > > > good.

This is starting to look more like an HP issue (rather than a Windows XP
issue).

What is the *exact* error message of #1012?

What is the make and model of your HP? What OS did it come with
originally?

Also, you might have more success posting to one of the forums on this
page:

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/psg/


LOLL wrote:
> No I tried installing using the recovery discs again, this time using
> the bios to boot from the external dvd drive which was listed ok on
> the bios list. Then I got an all black screen with a white loading
> bar saying windows was loading files. Then I got an error message
> #1012 saying "if this issue continues contact HP".
> I tried several times but I always end up with this message. I have
> two different sets of recovery discs from HP for this computer and I
> tried both, but I always get the error message
>
> "Mark Adams" wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> "LOLL" wrote:
>>
>>> That is a great informative reply. Thank you so much.
>>>
>>
>> Were you able to perform the install?
>>
>>> "Mark Adams" wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "LOLL" wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Wky would any old drive do when the connectors are different for
>>>>> SATA and IDE etc. HP support told me the only unit compatible
>>>>> would be a SATA unit. I tried a new internal unit but it was
>>>>> incompatinle, for instamce it had a ribbon cable and there was
>>>>> nowhere on the computers circuit board to bonnect this cable.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> You are correct in that regard. Some mainboards don't have
>>>> provisions for IDE cables. Probably soon all new boards will be
>>>> SATA only. Nevertheless, the CD/DVD drive can be "any old" SATA
>>>> drive. It does not have to be "identical". Go down to your local
>>>> electronics store and buy a SATA DVD drive on sale- whatever they
>>>> have, it'll work.
>>>>
>>>> How do you know the old drive is "burned out"? Check to see that
>>>> it is or isn't recognized in the BIOS. If it's not, double check
>>>> both the power and SATA cables. A loose connection will keep it
>>>> from working.
>>>>
>>>> To install from the external drive that you have already
>>>> purchased, you must set the BIOS to boot from a USB device. If the
>>>> BIOS doesn't have a provision for this, you might be outta luck.
>>>> Check your owner's manual or call HP.
>>>>
>>>>> "Mark Adams" wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "LOLL" wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> My dvd drive burned out during system recovery. The position I
>>>>>>> am in now is the hard drive has been wiped clean during the
>>>>>>> system recovery and I have been unable to find an identical
>>>>>>> internal dvd drive replace the defective unit.
>>>>>>> So I have bought a new external dvd drive, but how can I
>>>>>>> install the driver for this dvd drive if windows is not loaded
>>>>>>> on the PC.
>>>>>>> Am I in a catch 22 situation where I cant install windows
>>>>>>> without a dvd driver but I need windows installed to use the
>>>>>>> new dvd driver.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> You don't need an "identical internal DVD drive", any old CD or
>>>>>> DVD drive will do. Also the Windows XP install CD has the
>>>>>> drivers to run the external DVD drive.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> You have to set the BIOS to boot from CD. I'll bet your old
>>>>>> drive is still good.

"LOLL" wrote:

> No I tried installing using the recovery discs again, this time using the
> bios to boot from the external dvd drive which was listed ok on the bios
> list. Then I got an all black screen with a white loading bar saying windows
> was loading files. Then I got an error message #1012 saying "if this issue
> continues contact HP".
> I tried several times but I always end up with this message. I have two
> different sets of recovery discs from HP for this computer and I tried both,
> but I always get the error message
>

You may have hardware problems. If HP has diagnostic utilities for your
model computer, download them and test. If not, test the RAM with memtest86+,
and go to the website of the hard drive maker and download their testing
utilities for the drive. If things check O.K. it's time to contact HP. Post
back with a resolution.

> "Mark Adams" wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > "LOLL" wrote:
> >
> > > That is a great informative reply. Thank you so much.
> > >
> >
> > Were you able to perform the install?
> >
> > > "Mark Adams" wrote:
> > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > "LOLL" wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Wky would any old drive do when the connectors are different for SATA and IDE
> > > > > etc. HP support told me the only unit compatible would be a SATA unit. I
> > > > > tried a new internal unit but it was incompatinle, for instamce it had a
> > > > > ribbon cable and there was nowhere on the computers circuit board to bonnect
> > > > > this cable.
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > You are correct in that regard. Some mainboards don't have provisions for
> > > > IDE cables. Probably soon all new boards will be SATA only. Nevertheless, the
> > > > CD/DVD drive can be "any old" SATA drive. It does not have to be "identical".
> > > > Go down to your local electronics store and buy a SATA DVD drive on sale-
> > > > whatever they have, it'll work.
> > > >
> > > > How do you know the old drive is "burned out"? Check to see that it is or
> > > > isn't recognized in the BIOS. If it's not, double check both the power and
> > > > SATA cables. A loose connection will keep it from working.
> > > >
> > > > To install from the external drive that you have already purchased, you must
> > > > set the BIOS to boot from a USB device. If the BIOS doesn't have a provision
> > > > for this, you might be outta luck. Check your owner's manual or call HP.
> > > >
> > > > > "Mark Adams" wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > "LOLL" wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > My dvd drive burned out during system recovery. The position I am in now is
> > > > > > > the hard drive has been wiped clean during the system recovery and I have
> > > > > > > been unable to find an identical internal dvd drive replace the defective
> > > > > > > unit.
> > > > > > > So I have bought a new external dvd drive, but how can I install the driver
> > > > > > > for this dvd drive if windows is not loaded on the PC.
> > > > > > > Am I in a catch 22 situation where I cant install windows without a dvd
> > > > > > > driver but I need windows installed to use the new dvd driver.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > You don't need an "identical internal DVD drive", any old CD or DVD drive
> > > > > > will do. Also the Windows XP install CD has the drivers to run the external
> > > > > > DVD drive.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > You have to set the BIOS to boot from CD. I'll bet your old drive is still
> > > > > > good.

But wouldn't I need windows to go to these websites and download their
software?

"Mark Adams" wrote:

>
>
> "LOLL" wrote:
>
> > No I tried installing using the recovery discs again, this time using the
> > bios to boot from the external dvd drive which was listed ok on the bios
> > list. Then I got an all black screen with a white loading bar saying windows
> > was loading files. Then I got an error message #1012 saying "if this issue
> > continues contact HP".
> > I tried several times but I always end up with this message. I have two
> > different sets of recovery discs from HP for this computer and I tried both,
> > but I always get the error message
> >
>
> You may have hardware problems. If HP has diagnostic utilities for your
> model computer, download them and test. If not, test the RAM with memtest86+,
> and go to the website of the hard drive maker and download their testing
> utilities for the drive. If things check O.K. it's time to contact HP. Post
> back with a resolution.
>
> > "Mark Adams" wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > "LOLL" wrote:
> > >
> > > > That is a great informative reply. Thank you so much.
> > > >
> > >
> > > Were you able to perform the install?
> > >
> > > > "Mark Adams" wrote:
> > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > "LOLL" wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > Wky would any old drive do when the connectors are different for SATA and IDE
> > > > > > etc. HP support told me the only unit compatible would be a SATA unit. I
> > > > > > tried a new internal unit but it was incompatinle, for instamce it had a
> > > > > > ribbon cable and there was nowhere on the computers circuit board to bonnect
> > > > > > this cable.
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > You are correct in that regard. Some mainboards don't have provisions for
> > > > > IDE cables. Probably soon all new boards will be SATA only. Nevertheless, the
> > > > > CD/DVD drive can be "any old" SATA drive. It does not have to be "identical".
> > > > > Go down to your local electronics store and buy a SATA DVD drive on sale-
> > > > > whatever they have, it'll work.
> > > > >
> > > > > How do you know the old drive is "burned out"? Check to see that it is or
> > > > > isn't recognized in the BIOS. If it's not, double check both the power and
> > > > > SATA cables. A loose connection will keep it from working.
> > > > >
> > > > > To install from the external drive that you have already purchased, you must
> > > > > set the BIOS to boot from a USB device. If the BIOS doesn't have a provision
> > > > > for this, you might be outta luck. Check your owner's manual or call HP.
> > > > >
> > > > > > "Mark Adams" wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > "LOLL" wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > My dvd drive burned out during system recovery. The position I am in now is
> > > > > > > > the hard drive has been wiped clean during the system recovery and I have
> > > > > > > > been unable to find an identical internal dvd drive replace the defective
> > > > > > > > unit.
> > > > > > > > So I have bought a new external dvd drive, but how can I install the driver
> > > > > > > > for this dvd drive if windows is not loaded on the PC.
> > > > > > > > Am I in a catch 22 situation where I cant install windows without a dvd
> > > > > > > > driver but I need windows installed to use the new dvd driver.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > You don't need an "identical internal DVD drive", any old CD or DVD drive
> > > > > > > will do. Also the Windows XP install CD has the drivers to run the external
> > > > > > > DVD drive.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > You have to set the BIOS to boot from CD. I'll bet your old drive is still
> > > > > > > good.

"LOLL" wrote:

> But wouldn't I need windows to go to these websites and download their
> software?
>

Shurely, you must know one other person whom has a computer! Download the
utilities and burn them to CD and use the CD on your computer.

> "Mark Adams" wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > "LOLL" wrote:
> >
> > > No I tried installing using the recovery discs again, this time using the
> > > bios to boot from the external dvd drive which was listed ok on the bios
> > > list. Then I got an all black screen with a white loading bar saying windows
> > > was loading files. Then I got an error message #1012 saying "if this issue
> > > continues contact HP".
> > > I tried several times but I always end up with this message. I have two
> > > different sets of recovery discs from HP for this computer and I tried both,
> > > but I always get the error message
> > >
> >
> > You may have hardware problems. If HP has diagnostic utilities for your
> > model computer, download them and test. If not, test the RAM with memtest86+,
> > and go to the website of the hard drive maker and download their testing
> > utilities for the drive. If things check O.K. it's time to contact HP. Post
> > back with a resolution.
> >
> > > "Mark Adams" wrote:
> > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > "LOLL" wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > That is a great informative reply. Thank you so much.
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > Were you able to perform the install?
> > > >
> > > > > "Mark Adams" wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > "LOLL" wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > Wky would any old drive do when the connectors are different for SATA and IDE
> > > > > > > etc. HP support told me the only unit compatible would be a SATA unit. I
> > > > > > > tried a new internal unit but it was incompatinle, for instamce it had a
> > > > > > > ribbon cable and there was nowhere on the computers circuit board to bonnect
> > > > > > > this cable.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > You are correct in that regard. Some mainboards don't have provisions for
> > > > > > IDE cables. Probably soon all new boards will be SATA only. Nevertheless, the
> > > > > > CD/DVD drive can be "any old" SATA drive. It does not have to be "identical".
> > > > > > Go down to your local electronics store and buy a SATA DVD drive on sale-
> > > > > > whatever they have, it'll work.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > How do you know the old drive is "burned out"? Check to see that it is or
> > > > > > isn't recognized in the BIOS. If it's not, double check both the power and
> > > > > > SATA cables. A loose connection will keep it from working.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > To install from the external drive that you have already purchased, you must
> > > > > > set the BIOS to boot from a USB device. If the BIOS doesn't have a provision
> > > > > > for this, you might be outta luck. Check your owner's manual or call HP.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > "Mark Adams" wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > "LOLL" wrote:
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > My dvd drive burned out during system recovery. The position I am in now is
> > > > > > > > > the hard drive has been wiped clean during the system recovery and I have
> > > > > > > > > been unable to find an identical internal dvd drive replace the defective
> > > > > > > > > unit.
> > > > > > > > > So I have bought a new external dvd drive, but how can I install the driver
> > > > > > > > > for this dvd drive if windows is not loaded on the PC.
> > > > > > > > > Am I in a catch 22 situation where I cant install windows without a dvd
> > > > > > > > > driver but I need windows installed to use the new dvd driver.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > You don't need an "identical internal DVD drive", any old CD or DVD drive
> > > > > > > > will do. Also the Windows XP install CD has the drivers to run the external
> > > > > > > > DVD drive.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > You have to set the BIOS to boot from CD. I'll bet your old drive is still
> > > > > > > > good.