My optical drive broke, is there a way for me to install software on CDs/DVDs?

[Turkish]

My laptop's optical drive is broke. It doesn't work, I even tried lens cleaners of all sorts and nothing helped. So now I have been dealing with this problem without any trouble as I have a desktop computer and just used that to work with optical media but now I want to format my laptop and don't know if I'll be able to install Office, Photoshop, etc. on it without an optical drive 🙁 Installing Windows is a cake thanks to IBM's Rescue System as it just restores it from the HD partition but what about other software. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[deamer44]

external opitical drive 🙂

 

[Turkish]

Originally posted by: deamer44
external opitical drive 🙂

Obviously I was hoping for a solution that doesn't require me to purchase anything 😛

Can I create an image of a disc, copy it to my flash drive, and then use some sort of software to treat it as a real disc?

 

[masteryoda34]

Originally posted by: Turkish
Can I create an image of a disc, copy it to my flash drive, and then use some sort of software to treat it as a real disc?

Yes exactly. Daemon tools is a good virtual drive program. And there are tons of programs for making images.

BTW: You should be able to get a replacement drive for the laptop for under $50. Then it's usually only one screw that holds it in. Unscrew, switch out drives, put screw back in, fixed.

 

[corkyg]

You mentioned "IBM." Do you have a Thinkpad? If so, the optical drive is easily replaced. It slides right out.

A work around is possible with flash memory, but ultimately, you'll want to replace that drive.

 

[EagleKeeper]

If the desktop's optical can be shared so the laptop can see it, then you can just load using that drive.

 

[Turkish]

Thank you fellas. Daemon tools is what I needed. OTOH, I don't want to invest on this laptop by purchasing a new drive as it is almost 4 years old (thinkpad t42p) and I will probably give it away to someone who may need it just for browsing the web, typing stuff, etc.

 

[corkyg]

Yeah - that makes sense. The T42 should have the optical in Ultrabay - which is removeable easily (pop a button and pull.) You can probably find replacement optical ultrabay drives on E-Bay for not too much. ($17)

Ultrabay

In the meantime, Daemon Tools rules.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: Turkish
Thank you fellas. Daemon tools is what I needed.

Alcohol 52% Free Edition has both the virtual drive mounting software and the image creator in one program.

 

[Turkish]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

Originally posted by: Turkish
Thank you fellas. Daemon tools is what I needed.

Alcohol 52% Free Edition has both the virtual drive mounting software and the image creator in one program.

Hmmm I haven't tried mounting yet with Daemon tools but I was able to create an image? :S

Interesting you said that. I have to try and see.

Corkyg:

that is pretty cheap, I may actually buy one but they refurbished. Who knows how long those are going to last? 😛

By the way, I just realized, my drive can still read CDs, just not DVDs. Any ideas?

 

[jae]

if u have wireless and u desktop is on the router, u can just set ur desktop to share the drive. right click on the drive.. properties.. sharing tab. enable filesharing and name the drive

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: Turkish
By the way, I just realized, my drive can still read CDs, just not DVDs. Any ideas?

Yes. There is a separate laser for each - one can be bad while the other good.