Perplexed by the scarcity of computer DVD drives nowadays

Sick computer.

@Asylum (47893)

Manchester, England

December 7, 2016 2:05pm CST

As the title suggests, I was totally amazed to discover how uncommon a computer DVD drive is these days. They are in abundant use with both desktop and laptop computers, which the exception of netbooks which are much too small. The DVD writer in my desktop computer has died. It will no longer even read a cleaning CD and is clearly too far gone for even CPR. This was no real concern since I just need to buy another and replace my dead drive. Today I went into the city and decided to buy one. My first place was Currys, but they did not stock them. I next tried Clas Ohlson and even Argos, with the same lack of success. I even visited a computer stall situated in the indoor market and none were available. My only options now are either buy one online or travel out of town to Maplins. I know that many people use external drives, although I prefer to fit mine into the computer itself. I have no desire to have peripheral devices with wires when the computer has a vacant bay to accommodate one.

12 people like this

10 responses

@pgntwo (22405)

• Derry, Northern Ireland

7 Dec 16

eBay, I guess... Many are pumping their data into the cloud - even software is provided from such cloud-based storage systems these days, I have not had to install anything from a DVD or CD for a loooong time. So it goes...

2 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

7 Dec 16

I agree that a DVD drive is longer as essential, but I prefer to have one.

2 people like this

@topffer (42155)

• France

7 Dec 16

Same for me. I have not burnt a DVD since a long time, and my last laptop is of the netbook kind, without a player.

1 person likes this

@pgntwo (22405)

• Derry, Northern Ireland

7 Dec 16

@Asylum I am sure one will turn up, but possibly not from a high-street or "mall" outlet.

2 people like this

Show more comments

@moffittjc (128835)

• Gainesville, Florida

9 Dec 16

Good luck finding one! I also find it hard to believe that it is difficult to find one. You would think that they would be very commonplace. You'll get a laugh out of this...I just received a new computer upgrade at work, and not only does it have a DVD port, but it also still has a floppy disk port! I laughed when I saw that, as I haven't used floppy disks in 15 years (although I admit that I still have all my old floppy disks buried in a desk drawer somewhere!).

1 person likes this

show previous comments

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

10 Dec 16

@moffittjc It would have to be an old computer and motherboard.

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

9 Dec 16

It must be a rather dated computer because modern motherboards do not have a floppy controller. I would love to have a floppy drive installed.

1 person likes this

@moffittjc (128835)

• Gainesville, Florida

10 Dec 16

@Asylum It's a brand new computer. I think they had it custom-built. Although we mostly use flash drives nowadays, we still have a lot of old government files on floppy disks that we need to convert over to digital storage.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@celticeagle (189833)

• Boise, Idaho

7 Dec 16

I have mine built in as well. Like it that way.

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

7 Dec 16

It is the obvious system for a desktop computer.

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

8 Dec 16

@celticeagle My laptop also has an internal DVD writer, although replacing one would not be as simple.

1 person likes this

@celticeagle (189833)

• Boise, Idaho

7 Dec 16

@Asylum .....Mine is a laptop.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@marguicha (230350)

• Chile

8 Dec 16

I don´t use DVDs much lately, but I think that it is important to have the possibility of doing so. And that they should keep on selling them.

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

8 Dec 16

The interest seems to have moved to external USB DVD drives, which are certainly not what I want.

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

8 Dec 16

@marguicha I agree, but internal drives can be difficult to locate. Today I made a special trip to Maplins, where I did acquire one.

1 person likes this

@marguicha (230350)

• Chile

8 Dec 16

@Asylum I understood that. But there should be both for sale.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (61463)

• United States

30 Dec 16

What did you decide to do? I hope you got my Christmas postcard? Jabo got hers very quickly but I don't think Lany or Judy have gotten theirs yet.

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

30 Dec 16

I did manage to buy one from Maplins, so happily returned home and fitted it.

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

30 Dec 16

@BelleStarr I will certainly be using mine soon became I am considering reformatting the hard drive and reinstalling everything.

1 person likes this

Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (61463)

• United States

30 Dec 16

@Asylum Glad to hear it, I haven't used mine in years but I do have it.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@LadyDuck (502464)

• Italy

8 Dec 16

I know, it's becoming a serious problem. Check Amazon.co.uk, they have a large choice of internal DVD drives

Amazon.co.uk: internal dvd drives: Computers & Accessories

www.amazon.co.uk

Online shopping from a great selection at Computers & Accessories Store.

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

8 Dec 16

I managed to get one from Maplins today.

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

8 Dec 16

@LadyDuck It is in this case as well, but I prefer to buy one direct rather than await delivery.

1 person likes this

@LadyDuck (502464)

• Italy

8 Dec 16

@Asylum Good, I always check Amazon first, because many times it is less expensive than local stores.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@MGjhaud (23228)

• Philippines

23 Dec 16

I replaced my laptop (with a disc drive) few months ago and believe me, i can't remember opening it since haha..

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

23 Dec 16

I do not use mine very much these days, but I do prefer to have one just in case.

1 person likes this

@rebelann (117226)

• El Paso, Texas

7 Dec 16

When I bought this PC tower back in January I was lucky it came with a DVD drive. I suppose you're not looking to buy a new PC.

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

7 Dec 16

Most certainly not because I have a very high specification system. All I need is a few drive so that I can remove the old drive and replace it.

@RasmaSandra (98005)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

7 Dec 16

I sure hope you find a DVD writer. You know I have to say thanks for the reminder. I have a desktop PC which we purchased used quite awhile back and when you mentioned DVD I realized my PC is equipped with that but I never even tried it. I have some music CDs so I'll have to give it a try. It was rather amusing after reading this I located the place which open up and now must see if it works

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

7 Dec 16

I am certain to find one, but I expected it to be much easier.

1 person likes this

@Inlemay (17712)

• South Africa

8 Dec 16

sometimes having them delivered to the home is much better

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

8 Dec 16

I hate having to wait for computer components. In this case, it required a special journey to Maplins, but I bought a drive and have already fitted it into my computer.

1 person likes this