OEM DVD drive

[opeeum69]

Just bought an HP 20x IDE 1035i dvd drive, is there a need to connect the analog/digital audio connector in the back of the dvd drive to the CD-IN on the motherboard (because I don't have the cord to connect since I got the OEM model)? what does that do btw, thanks

 

[DSF]

It lets you use your CD Drive as a CD Player, outputting the sound directly. Now that music programs are prevalent and free, it doesn't really matter. You can stick a CD in and play it through WMP/Winamp/whatever without the cord.

 

[BOLt]

Originally posted by: DSF
It lets you use your CD Drive as a CD Player, outputting the sound directly. Now that music programs are prevalent and free, it doesn't really matter. You can stick a CD in and play it through WMP/Winamp/whatever without the cord.

100% correct.

 

[Lonyo]

Wasn't it more related to Windows 98 being unable to read music directly from the CD, while with 2k/XP you now can? (Digital CD audio rather than analogue).

But yeah, there's no need for it anymore unless you're on a very old OS.

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: Lonyo
Wasn't it more related to Windows 98 being unable to read music directly from the CD, while with 2k/XP you now can? (Digital CD audio rather than analogue).

But yeah, there's no need for it anymore unless you're on a very old OS.

Maybe that was it originally. Either way, it's not necessary anymore. Mine isn't connected.

 

[opeeum69]

Thanks DSF, BOLt, and Lonyo, glad I wouldn't have to worry about it now

a kind of related question (for no other reason than it has to do with IDE lol..), my mobo manual says the hdd activity light on front of case will monitor just IDE activity, so is there no way for my SATA HDD to be monitored instead by the hdd light?

I googled around for it, it seems that people sometimes get 'lucky' and IDE bus somehow also transmits SATA HDD activity, which I don't see how it's possible or if those people's hdd light is really reflecting sata hd activity (but then I'm a newbie, so ) thanks in advance for any help

 

[DSF]

Maybe that's something specific to your motherboard? I don't see how it would be a matter of getting lucky, seems to me it would either work or not.

Speaking only with my own computers, the LED shows SATA activity.

 

[opeeum69]

Yeah I think it's motherboard specific too, I have the gigabyte GA31M-S2L, it's an older board but only 60 bucks on newegg; but I guess I'll find out if it can show SATA activity tomorrow when it arrives. Thanks for the earlier help =)

 

[CKent]

Another aspect is the processing power required. With today's CPUs it's a non-issue, but that wasn't always the case.