Question 1

Does this comes with the cable?

Accepted Answer

no, I don't think I got a SATA cable with it. You can pick one up for practically nothing at any local PC shop. We have a box with hundreds here at my shop, I usually just give one to a customer if they need one.

Question 2

So this can be used to read CD's as well, not just burn them?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it will read and burn CD's.  In fact, it will also burn M disks.  I have had this unit for about a month or two with no problems at all.

Question 3

I need to replace a CD drive in a CD only burner tower. Would this or any other disc drive work, since they don't make just CD drives anymore? I don't see any indication that it wouldn't work, other than just the age of the technology not being compatible. The system is from 2004.

Accepted Answer

Only thing to be aware of is the interface. All the new drives, for quite some time now, use SATA  interface whereas older units used EIDE with the old wide ribbon cables. so if you look at the interface, either on the drive or motherboard, and it has visible pins (20+/-) to connect to then it is the older EIDE. You can get adapters but its hard to justify spending $ on such an old system. Might find an old EIDE replacement drive at a thrift shop.

Question 4

Is this compatible with Ubuntu Linux? Any difficulties with the drivers?

Accepted Answer

It's a generic SATA drive. I've had no problems from it in my Fedora Linux system. Ubuntu's native drivers should be fine too.

Question 5

Is this Samsung DVD Writer Compatible with the Dell Desktop  8400?

Accepted Answer

The specs for a Dell Dimension 8400 claim that it uses SATA for its hard drive interface.  If there is an available SATA connection to connect the drive with then it should work just fine.  A 4 Pin Molex to 15 pin SATA Power Cable adapter for the power supply may also be needed.

Question 6

what hardware is needed to connect with computer?

Accepted Answer

Hi, Mary.
The question is not clear about what type of connection to the computer (internal, external, etc) and what type of case.
Internally you just need a SATA cable, you don't need any special hardware.
Reply with more details if you are not using a regular case.

Question 7

can this drive be connected to a laptop externally?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you get an usb external enclosure that support 5.25" then it is possible.

Question 8

Is this drive compatible with Windows 10?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it works well with windows 10. At least it does for my machine. It was pretty much plug and play after the new device was discovered by the device manager.

Question 9

this dvd drive is compatible with windows 10?

Accepted Answer

Not completely sure but machine starts up OK. I would be more worried about what is on the disk being "Windows 10 compatible". Hardware is hardware - software is ???

Question 10

Microsoft XP compatible ?

Accepted Answer

This drive is comparable with XP but a machine that runs XP might have the IDE interface which means the data cable has a 2 inch wide connector. This drive uses the newer SATA data connection which is about a half inch wide. Check to see which type of cable/connector your computer has.

Then I would ditch XP unless you never connect to the Internet.

Questions & Answers