CD-ROM

This drive has the following specifications

Can read program, data and music CDs
Cannot write to a CD disk
Cannot write to a DVD disk
Cannot write to a DVD dual layer disk
Cannot read DVD disks
Cannot read dual layer disks
Cannot read Blue-ray disks
Does not have the lightscribe technology.
Some older CD-ROM drives cannot read disks burned from a CD-R or a CD-RW but newer models can.
Cannot print a label directly to the CD or DVD
No software needed to use drive. To listen to music, you will need a music application, such as Media Player, Musicmatch

For instructions on how to install the drive, click here.

For help with the differences between a bit, byte, Megabytes, Gigabytes, and so on, click here.

Lightscribe technology - is new technology developed by Hewlett-Packard (HP) that allows you to use special software to have the drive burn a image that you either design or pick right into the disk. No labels are involved and therefore reduces the risk of the label coming unglued and damaging the drive. You will have to have a drive that supports this technology, software to create the image and special CDs.

Blu-ray (not Blue-ray) also known as Blu-ray Disc (BD), is the name of a next-generation optical disc format. The format was developed to enable recording, rewriting and playback of high-definition video (HD), as well as storing large amounts of data. The format offers more than five times the storage capacity of traditional DVDs and can hold up to 25GB on a single-layer disc and 50GB on a dual-layer disc. This extra capacity combined with the use of advanced video and audio codecs will offer consumers an unprecedented HD experience.

More information on CD-ROMs
Information on Internal and External drives
Drive Requirements
Cost of the drives and disks
Which CD or DVD format should I use?
What are the differences between the various kinds of CD and DVD discs?
Software
CD backup

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