52x24x52 Buslink (normally Lite0ns - model# RW5252) 19.99 @ BestBuy (ARs)

[tbrooks40]

52x24x52 Buslink CDRW is going for $19.99 at BESTBUY after $10 IR and two MIRs.

$30 BestBuy Rebate & $20 BusLink Rebate

** IMPORTANT **

...if you guys are doing this deal look for the "SMARTBURN" and/or "BURNPROOF STICKERS" somewhere on the box. obviously Buslink tossed some Aopen drives in the mix and these you want to stay away from.

...the boxes with Aopen drives in them will have something like "buffer underrun protection" and/or "just link" on the outside and THESE YOU WANT TO AVOID -thanx Linux, Frank, Mean etc.

 

[tjaisv]

that's a damn good price. How much is it originally?

 

[tbrooks40]

i believe its $79 originally tj there is also a $10 instant i forgot to mention... i will update that.

 

[frankqfrank]

I just got one and its not a lite on

It has justlink, its 52 24 52

firmware 1.05

2 MB buffer

MT Rainer supported

Any idea who makes this guy??

Edit: model is 52X24X52 CD-RW according to nero, no brand mentioned

Is there a firmware update?

 

[AAjax]

I would bet its a A-open drive. Not a bad deal all the same

 

[frankqfrank]

It might be but doesn't look like an AOPEN based on the shape of the door, position of buttons, any other guesses?

 

[Growltiger]

Originally posted by: frankqfrank
It might be but doesn't look like an AOPEN based on the shape of the door, position of buttons, any other guesses?

I've had this drive since the Staple's President's DAy sale and I'm still trying to figure it out!

 

[Yossarian451]

I just bought that at compusa for 29.99 ar so now I am going to have to exchange them. Damn another trip into town.

 

[jalapenonc]

be very aware that Buslink's rebate is SLOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.

 

[frankqfrank]

The first one I got was a piece of sh1t. I found Lite-Ons at the Glenway Crossing store in cincy, the non lite ones (no idea what brand) were at the tri-county store and dont say smart burn. The first one made my computer freeze and wouldnt read some CD's. Lite on works great.

 

[linux247]

Originally posted by: Growltiger

Originally posted by: frankqfrank
It might be but doesn't look like an AOPEN based on the shape of the door, position of buttons, any other guesses?

I've had this drive since the Staple's President's DAy sale and I'm still trying to figure it out!

Hey guys, if it has a P/N of '91.3ED37.xxx' and says 'just link' or 'buffer under run protection' on the outside of the box then it's an AOpen. If the P/N starts with 'LTR' and it says 'smart burn' on the box, it's a Lite-on. P/N's are on top of the unit, not on the outside of the box. Hope this helps.

 

[MeanMeosh]

Originally posted by: linux247

Originally posted by: Growltiger

Originally posted by: frankqfrank
It might be but doesn't look like an AOPEN based on the shape of the door, position of buttons, any other guesses?

I've had this drive since the Staple's President's DAy sale and I'm still trying to figure it out!

Hey guys, if it has a P/N of '91.3ED37.xxx' and says 'just link' or 'buffer under run protection' on the outside of the box then it's an AOpen. If the P/N starts with 'LTR' and it says 'smart burn' on the box, it's a Lite-on. P/N's are on top of the unit, not on the outside of the box. Hope this helps.

south austin best buy has several of both left over. they're stacked separately though, so don't be fooled if all you see if the aopen ones. =)

edit: also, the part numbers are not listed on the outside of my box. the only indication is the smartburn or just link labels

 

[nutxo]

i got mine this afternoon, was wary of the ones at crapusa that didnt say smart burn so i waited and got the one at BB which did have smart burn and is a lite on

 

[frankqfrank]

I really don't think the non Lite-On drive is an AOpen.

I've had AOpen and they are good drives, Lite-Ons are easy to pick out and AOpens are once you get them installed. This particular is not AOpen IMHO. It was a total piece of cr@p, I swear I have never seen a new, retail piece of computer equipment work so poorly. It gave me a BSOD while trying to install Nero off its own CD twice, usually after hanging during the copy phase of the install for several minutes. Listening to an audio CD gave me random restarts. Look for "Smartburn" on the box as others have said, Lite-On makes a quality product.

 

[Growltiger]

Originally posted by: frankqfrank
I really don't think the non Lite-On drive is an AOpen. I've had AOpen and they are good drives, Lite-Ons are easy to pick out and AOpens are once you get them installed. This particular is not AOpen IMHO. It was a total piece of cr@p, I swear I have never seen a new, retail piece of computer equipment work so poorly. It gave me a BSOD while trying to install Nero off its own CD twice, usually after hanging during the copy phase of the install for several minutes. Listening to an audio CD gave me random restarts. Look for "Smartburn" on the box as others have said, Lite-On makes a quality product.

That's weird, b.c. I haven't had any problems with mine. I was disappointed that it wasn't a LIt-On when it arrived, but I don't have a Staples near me and i didn't feel shipping it back (plus it was a Staples rebate associated with it and not a Buslink, which is a plus) . Anyway, I have burned plenty of CD's with it and have enjoyed lots of music since installed it. Sure, it's a little loud, but it's all good. I guess what this proves is that it's hit or miss on the quality of this "unknown" drive. Just my two cents...

 

[MarthaLynn]

Originally posted by: frankqfrank
I really don't think the non Lite-On drive is an AOpen.

I've had AOpen and they are good drives, Lite-Ons are easy to pick out and AOpens are once you get them installed. This particular is not AOpen IMHO. It was a total piece of cr@p, I swear I have never seen a new, retail piece of computer equipment work so poorly. It gave me a BSOD while trying to install Nero off its own CD twice, usually after hanging during the copy phase of the install for several minutes. Listening to an audio CD gave me random restarts. Look for "Smartburn" on the box as others have said, Lite-On makes a quality product.

There is a big sticker on the bottom of the drives with model number, voltage, ratings, etc. On there somewhere it will say who makes the drive. Mine is definitely AOpen.

 

[MustangSVT]

Originally posted by: frankqfrank
I just got one and its not a lite on

It has justlink, its 52 24 52

firmware 1.05

2 MB buffer

MT Rainer supported

Any idea who makes this guy??

Edit: model is 52X24X52 CD-RW according to nero, no brand mentioned

Is there a firmware update?

that's what i have and it does have small AOPEN lable on cdrw itself.. can someone explain what makes aopen much worse then lite-on? cause if it is.. ill try to exchange it.

 

[jeepers94]

The only thing LiteOn has over Aopen,is the LiteOn does correct "EFM"!This is only important if you use it to copy games with the newer protections.Aopen,in my opinion,is better built than the LiteOn.I have several LiteOns and an Aopen,and would not be disappointed with either!

 

[Growltiger]

Ok, if the drive 5252 is an Aopen, where can I get firmware updates, b.c. this model is not listed on their site.

 

[tjaisv]

I just bought one, it's an Aopen. Installs and burns perfectly, in fact it's quieter than my 48x Lite-On.

 

[ZombieBob]

I got one today (smartBurn label on box) it's a lite on ,
manufacture date jan 2003 ,and has newest firmware ( from liteon ,I checked)
noise level good , replaced my old liteon 12X10x32x , I LIKE IT!

$69.99 + tax = $ 74.01 - $ 20 MIR - $ 30 MIR + 2 stamps = less than $25.00

from bestbuy in Columbus, Ohio

 

[MisterE]

I just picked up one of these at Best Buy in Huntsville, AL, and it is a LiteOn. They have tons of them on the shelf and most or all have a smartburn label on the box. Good deal on a LiteOn for anyone in the Huntsville area.

E.

 

[PrinceXizor]

So, I just want to clarify here. What are the difference b/n Lite-On's and AOpens feature-wise, to justify this obsession with Lite-On's, I've seen exactly one post (the one in this thread) stating what is different. Anyone's legitimate help is greatly appreciated.

P-X

 

[nutxo]

lite on burners are good for "backing up" software and are extremely NOT picky about media as well as pretty reliable ( the last year or so anyways)

 

[sharq]

Aopen burners (I have a 24x and based on reviews) are work great and are quiet.
I have read ppl's experiences of where some didn't work out the box, but I guess it depends on luck. I also have a friend who had a cd literally explode in his Lite-On burner rendering it useless. So not all hardware is 100%.