Buying a replacement DVD drive

The Minstrel

How do I know if I'm buying a compatible one with my machine? The Dell website don't have my computer on there for parts as it's about 5 years old. It's a Dimension 8400 and the dvd/rw drive is broken.

Can anyone advise if this one would be compatible?

http://cgi.ebay.ie/DELL-PK643-D417C-ASSY-SATA-16X-DVD-RW-DRIVE-DUAL-LAYER_W0QQitemZ250496070504QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_Drives_Storage_CD_DVD_Drives_ET?hash=item3a52bab368&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

DELL PK643 D417C ASSY SATA 16X DVD+-RW DRIVE DUAL LAYER

Deano12345

Open up the case and have a look at the connection from the DVD drive to the motherboard.

It will most like be IDE.Take a pic of the inside of the case if you cant tell and I'll be able to tell you

ttm

5 years old - 99% sure it will be IDE.

The one you quote seems to be SATA and NOT what you want.

40 quid including postage - PCWorld should have something suitable for about 70euro may be less. Doesn't need to say Dell on the front just needs to be IDE, that is when you look inside the widest cable that connects to it has a 40 pin plug on the end of it.

Deano12345

ttm wrote: »

5 years old - 99% sure it will be IDE.

The one you quote seems to be SATA and NOT what you want.

40 quid including postage - PCWorld should have something suitable for about 70euro may be less. Doesn't need to say Dell on the front just needs to be IDE, that is when you look inside the widest cable that connects to it has a 40 pin plug on the end of it.

Or order online and get one for €20

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=343919

That will do you grand