A new dvd drive on an old computer

[JrJerry]

Hello

          I bought a used Compaq computer and it needs a new DVD drive.   The computer is extremely old and I trided to post this question the Compaq website but it took me here.   Unfortlanly being very old I only can see the product key on the tower.   It is MC874 - 92VHW - YFT7X - G6GYH - FRC TW  -- or  --  MCB74 - 92VHW -  G6GYH - FRCTW.  Below the product key there is this other set of numbers.  00043 - 421 - 036 - 727.    It has 2  indivivdual drives DVD & CD but niehter work.   I just want  a  DVD  or both combined DVD -- CD drive to install on the computer.   If the drive s  avaiable can some one show me the type of drive I need to install.   Thank you.    

[TheOldMan]

I would speculate those are WinXP product keys and not the model number.  Assuming this old computer still starts up, look at the BIOS page for a possible identification or perhaps the "info" page if you still have the regular software installed.  If the original keyboard is still in place - there is actually an "Info" key on the keyboard.

If all else fails look at the motherboard for a model or type on there.  That will give me a place to start.  If you can tell IDE drives from SATA, look to see which or if both are possible.

[JrJerry]

 hello

          I managed to find the specks for my DVD player and also considering a new motherboard.   I forgot to mention I upgraded form Windows xp home addition to Windows 7 32 bit service pack on 1.   I have a few thoughts  about the motherboard installation.   I will need something that will fit in the case.   When I swop the old  mother board to the new do I need to download and drivers.   Is it a mater of simply going to a web site and downloading drivers or puting any installation DVD's  one at a time or perhaps just 1 disk.  How difficult  is it.    As you can see I am new to installing motherboard and DVD player. 

Media Type DVD Reader

Name MAT**bleep**A DVD-ROM SR-8587 ATA Device

Availability Running/Full Power

Capabilities Random Access, Supports Removable Media

Read capabilities CD-R, CD-RW, CD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-ROM, DVD-R

Config Manager Error Code Device is working properly

Config Manager User Config FALSE

Drive 😧

Media Loaded FALSE

SCSI Bus 1

SCSI Logical Unit 0

SCSI Port 1

SCSI Target Id 0

Status OK

Motherboard

Manufacturer MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO. LTD

Model MS-7005 (Socket 478)

Chipset Vendor SiS

Chipset Model 651

Chipset Revision 02

Southbridge Vendor SiS

Southbridge Model LPC Bridge

Southbridge Revision 25

System Temperature 41 °C

BIOS

Brand Phoenix Technologies LTD

Version 6.00 PG

Date 7/9/2003

Voltage

CPU VCore 1.696 V

AUX 3.216 V

+3.3V 3.024 V

+5V 5.242 V

+12V 2.128 V

PCI Data

Slot PCI

Slot Type PCI

Slot Usage Available

Bus Width 32 bit

Slot Designation PCI0

Characteristics 5V, PME

Slot Number 0

Slot PCI

Slot Type PCI

Slot Usage Available

Bus Width 32 bit

Slot Designation PCI1

Characteristics 5V, PME

Slot Number 1

Slot PCI

Slot Type PCI

Slot Usage Available

Bus Width 32 bit

Slot Designation PCI2

Characteristics 5V, PME

Slot Number 2

Slot AGP

Slot Type AGP

Slot Usage Available

Bus Width 32 bit

Slot Designation AGP

Characteristics 5V

Slot Number 3

[TheOldMan · Accepted solution]

In looking at that motherboard, it has IDE drive connections and no SATA.  If that motherboard is going to continue, then an older IDE drive needs to be found.  Since most all new DVD/CD drives are SATA, then most likely a used drive will have to be considered.  All DVD drives should also be capable of CD use, so that is not a concern.

If you are considering a newer motherboard, then keep in mind that the CPU, memory and most anything else that is now in use will not be compatible with it.  Therefore this old computer will become a newer computer.  If that is really what is intended, it might be more cost effective to just buy a working used Pc that is still functioning properly but meets the needs.