Question 1

this says dvd burner, does that mean it will not burn any kind of regular cds?

Accepted Answer

Lightscribe burning refers to the 'top' layer of the DVD/CD and not the 'bottom' (shiny) layer you're used to writing on. This is the same exact way that all DVD/CD burners work except that it has the added option of printing words or pictures on the other/top side of the DVD/CD. You need special Lightscribe DVD/CDs if you're planning on using this to write on the top side but any DVD/CD will work if all you're trying to do is record stuff like you usually do.

Question 2

Win 7 64 Bi compatable
drivers come with it?

Accepted Answer

Mine was a bare drive, came with nada. Win 7 will run the drive just fine, to use lightscribe you will need to search online for "lightscribe". no problem to get the free software basic and the lightscribe driver for the burner to enable it as a lightscribe device.
Without the driver, it is only able to be a cd/dvd reader/writer.

Question 3

I am replacing a DVD/CD burner/player in my Dell Studio 540 PC.  Are most players interchangeable? The one listed here looks almost identical to mine.  Same size, same plug ins.  Will my Dell work with this one without any additional software?

Accepted Answer

Physically interchangeable, Yes... if your old burner is standard size & SATA interface.
1. Software needed, No... if all you want is CD/DVD reading/burning & not Lightscribe labeling. 
2. Software needed, Probably not... if your old burner is Lightscribe capable & relevant
    labeling software already installed. 
3. Software needed, Yes...  if your old burner is not Lightscribe capable & you're looking
    to add the labeling feature with the replacement HP burner.
    Freeware ( latest/final v1.18.27.10 System S/W, and Template Labeler ) for Lightscribing is readily available for Windows 7
    systems & earlier.  For Win 8.1 (8, 10 also?) some tricks & a Win7 system ( see HP forum ) are needed to use freeware.

Question 4

what is the max read /write speed of this drive?

Accepted Answer

Max WRITE speeds, using blank disks & as reported by
Cyberlink Power2Go v6.2 software that I use :
CD-R (both generic & LightScribe 52x disks)  -  40x Max
CD-RW (TDK Hi-Speed)  -  10x Max
DVD+R (LightScribe 16x)  -  16x Max
DVD-R (Maxell 16x)  -  16x Max
DVD+RW (Memorex 4x)  -  4x Max
Max READ speeds are usually as high or higher than
WRITE speeds, but I understand they vary with disk
quality, error checking used, etc. As an example, using
Nero DiskSpeed 4.51 utility, I got a read-rate of about 20x
on a 40x CD-R generic disk. On a 4x DVD-RW disk, got a
read-rate over 5x. Used "quick scan," but lower read-rates
likely if I selected more comprehensive error checking.
Note#1: I usually burn disks at about half the rated disk
speed & always verify DATA disks (but not music for the car.)
Have a relatively slow processor & limited system memory.
Note#2: Burn times on label-side of LightScribe disks run
about 15 to 20 minutes & quality is good.

Question 5

Will this mount vertical into my (vertical ) HP s5-1114 pavilion slimline desk top ?  It was supposed to come with a lightscribe burner and I loaded the software (was confusing at first) then by the time I ordered and got a couple diff brands of dvd/ cd blanks, I lost interest, now 2 years later I see the blank dvd/cds are worth more, I want to have a replacement vertical dvd/ cd burner w lightscribe if the original wears out on reg dvds and DL blanks,,,

Accepted Answer

Two part answer: (1) Yes, drive can be mounted & used vertically. That's how I'm using mine in an
Acer AX1430 desktop.  (2)  Probably Yes, drive is 1 & 5/8 inches thick, standard size. If your
"slimline" desktop requires a drive size more like a laptop, then No. You'll just have to look inside
your computer & see if this size will fit as a replacement for what you have currently installed.

Question 6

wwill it work on win7?

Accepted Answer

Works on my Win & Ultimate rig.

Question 7

will this work on win7?

Accepted Answer

Yes

Questions & Answers