Question 1

Does this come with a power supply?  If not, how can I get one.

Accepted Answer

Does not employ a separate power supply.  It is powered by connecting to 2 USB ports in the associated computer.  Don't know if it would work with a powered USB hub (which would reduce PC power consumption and risk of blowing out the USB ports - particularly during writing to a CDROM).

Connection to the PC is also somewhat iffy.  If you have reversed the USB ports, the PC can't find the drive.  Even if you have it correct, it may not reliably connect to the PC.

Would recommend finding a different solution.

Question 2

will this work with windows 8?

Accepted Answer

Yes! I have Windows 8.1 Pro installed and it works great! I didn't have to install drivers or anything. However, you will need to use the CD if you want to install the software that it comes bundled with, which I should mention, runs on Windows 8 too. This device does have two USB connectors in order to use it. My guess is that one is used for data transfer to and from the drive and the other is used for powering the device (one USB port alone doesn't have enough energy output to fully power the device). Be sure to plug in the data transfer cable first. If you plug in the power-only cable first, it seems to throw off Windows and it will say "Device not recognized."

Question 3

Can this product play dvd movies?

Accepted Answer

That depends entirely on the platform running this drive.  Most consumer electronic devices don't read anything from an external hard drive.  If you are running from a computer, it depends on your operating system.  Windows 7 is fine; Windows 8 is not.  Some Linux distributions work OK, others not.

Question 4

Are you able to install Operating Systems using this?

Accepted Answer

It should be able to ... If you can get it to work at all.  Issue is it draws power from 2 USB ports, and even then the operation is iffy.  My occasionally will work, but more than half the time, it doesn't register with the OS, or can't read the disc (which work fine in other readers).   Would recommend looking at a different unit with a separate power supply.  I do not recommend this unit for any use.

Question 5

Does this device read and write both cd's and dvd's?

Accepted Answer

It says that it does both read and write DVDs and CDs.  The unit definitely reads both types of discs, but I have not tried using the 
drive to write either.  I do note that the plug into the DVD/CD drive is sunk-in a bit probably to make the insertion more secure, so check to see that the plug is inserted securely.  Also note that both USB plugs are to be inserted in USB ports to provide the needed current supply.

Question 6

This will allow me to use the DVD to hook up the printer to my new Netbook laptop? Thanks.

Accepted Answer

Most assuredly.  But if you are going to buy it just for that, then instead if you want you can just go to the manufacturers website and just download the drivers/software for the printer instead.  Or copy the DVD to a flash drive with another computer, then move the flash drive to your netbook and just do it that way.

Question 7

Does this product come with software?

Accepted Answer

It came with Nero, which is burning software, but i haven't used it for burning. I didn't need any software to run cd/dvds off of it. I purchased this as a gift for my mother who is older though somewhat computer savvy she seems very happy with it.

Question 8

I have a compaq tc4200 tablet with XP professional OS. Will this external cd/dvd read-writer work with the tablet?

Accepted Answer

If your tablet has a USB 2.0 port, I assume that it would work since XP is listed as a supported OS

Question 9

Will this unit work with win 8?

Accepted Answer

I am using it with Win 8 and 8.1 - it is a bit iffy.  Would recommend a different unit.

Question 10

Does this need a Disk to install it? I bought a computer without a disk drive and i need one  that doesn't require a disk drive to install

Accepted Answer

No. Worst case you can download drivers and install other ways. ...usb etc.

Questions & Answers