Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (
More info?)
The NEC 2100A is basically an NEC 2500A with a crippled firmware so it
only writes to +R media. You can upgrade the firmware to make it a
2500/2510.
http://forum.rpc1.org/viewtopic.php?t=23669
Of course, this 'technically' voids the warranty.
On Fri, 24 Sep 2004 22:12:58 -0400, "Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net>
wrote:
>Just different standards. Beta vs. VHS. Some argue for +, some argue
>for -.
>
>I went the route to install an aftermarket drive that supports both and just
>buy the cheapest blanks.
>
>Tom
>"Dick Silk" <dick_silk@anti-spam.net> wrote in message
>news:415442cb$1_3@newspeer2.tds.net...
>> Thank you, kind sir!
>> What, do you think, is the technical difference in these media? I don't
>> record DVDs myself, so have never run across that particular issue (until
>> now).
>>
>>
>> "Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net> wrote in message
>> news:me-dnShtq6wpp8ncRVn-jg@comcast.com...
>>> Hey Dick, You left a pretty important thing out, didn't ya bud?
>>>
>>> DVD blanks come as either DVD+R or DVD-R. Same with DVD+RW or DVD-RW.
>>>
>>> If the drive came with your Dell, than it is a + ONLY drive, so you HAVE
>>> to use + media.
>>> "Dick Silk" <dick_silk@anti-spam.net> wrote in message
>>> news:415435ed_1@newspeer2.tds.net...
>>>> Big help there, Teddy...
>>>>
>>>> Paul:
>>>> You use CDRWs or CDRs to backup CD material.
>>>> You use DVDRWs or DVDRs to backup DVD material.
>>>> If you're going to image your drive, you will most likely need 1 or 2
>>>> DVDRWs.
>>>> Differences between Rs and RWs:
>>>> A CDR can be recorded to once, or even continuously (in sessions) until
>>>> it's filled up. Then it cannot be erased / reused. These are VERY
>>>> INEXPENSIVE / cheap and are used most.
>>>> A CDRW can be erased and re-written to many times before the dyes start
>>>> to wear out and data loss occurs.
>>>> NEVER leave a recordable CD or DVD exposed to direct sunlight! (Think
>>>> of vampires bursting into flames...)
>>>> The sunlight will fade the dyes and the disc may become useless a lot
>>>> faster than you imagined.
>>>> A DVDR holds a TON more data than a CDR, and a DVDRW is eraseable /
>>>> re-recordable.
>>>> These are also a lot MORE expensive than a simple CDR.
>>>>
>>>> There is free burning software available on the net: MusicMatch Jukebox
>>>> is one, Nero Burning is another, and (if I'm not mistaken) even Windows
>>>> Media Player has some burning ability, but it's not as easy as MMJ or
>>>> NB.
>>>> Also, Dell used to sell Roxio Easy CD Creator with their systems for
>>>> such purposes. You *might* have a copy on your computer, might not, but
>>>> it wouldn't hurt to look.
>>>>
>>>> Finally, make sure when doing a burn that you copy the image to hard
>>>> drive first (check your software application for this option... it
>>>> should be in there *somewhere*.) Otherwise, you risk "toasting" a CDR:
>>>> creating a BAD / unusable disc. Also, older Dells running windows '98
>>>> need to have *about* 90% resources free BEFORE attempting a burn, or you
>>>> also run a major risk of corruption (toasting the CDR).
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Ted Zieglar" <teddyz@notmail.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:1096034785.qreAv0LXHLOaTJf3U2qDwA@teranews...
>>>>> Use the software that came with your computer and consult its help
>>>>> file.
>>>>> --
>>>>> Ted Zieglar
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "Paul" <atwater@(NOSPAM)pacbell.net> wrote in message
>>>>> news:eIV4d.1947$nj.1571@newssvr13.news.prodigy.com...
>>>>>> I have a Dell 4600 computer with a NECDVD+RWND-2100 DVD drive. I have
>>>>> never
>>>>>> burned a cd or dvd but I would like to give it a try.My question is
>>>>>> what
>>>>>> type disks do I use to make a cd or dvd or back up files? Under My
>>>>> Computer
>>>>>> for the dvd it reads as DVD/CD-RW. Under properties it reads as
>>>>>> NECDVD+RWND-2100AD. What is the best and easy software to use for
>>>>>> burning
>>>>>> cd's and dvd's.
>>>>>> Paul
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>