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  • A cheap Laptop computer that doesn’t have a CD/DVD drive. How are you supposed to install programs?

    Posted by admin on December 8th, 2009 and filed under cheap laptop |

    My Sister bought a cheap laptop, and it doesn’t have a CD/DVD drive. Is there any way to install programs onto the Computer. I’m thinking an external CD Drive, but do they work like that?

    Thank you.

    You can buy an external USB CD or DVD drive.
    Or you can use a program like unetbootin to create a bootable flash drive from an iso image of a CD

    In your case, an external USB DVD would probably be best. Get one that has an onboard battery, many netbooks don’t have enough current on the USB ports to properly power many external USB CD/DVD drives. Plextor makes a good one: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827249034

    8 Responses

    1. Raj-V Says:

      Yes ! External CD drive is an option.
      Also u can use USB flash drive to install softwares.
      References :

    2. Just Call me AJ Says:

      yep an external cd drive would do it.

      She’s bought what they call a netbook, which are just designed to surf the web really.
      References :

    3. ComStar Computers Says:

      Netbooks do not come with Optical Drives to help reduce cost and size of the unit. Commonly, porgrams are installed via the Internet/Network, USB Flash Drive, or most people opt to purchase the external USB DVDRW drive (est. $75.00 USD).
      References :

    4. Gabriel Says:

      i know its crazy to sell a laptop/netbook with no CD/DVD drive, i think they expect you to either have another computer which has a CD/DVD drive and you share this and access on your laptop over the network or like you mention you buy an external USB CD?DVD drive.

      i do the sharing thing with mine, it works pretty well, its virtually the same as sharing files, http://www.computer-adviser.com/file-sharing.html
      References :
      http://www.computer-adviser.com

    5. XiaoRulez Says:

      Yes, external CD/DVD drives work. If you don’t have one sitting around, i suggest looking for an old USB key and just aiming to get the computer online. The reason for this is because a external CD/DVD could set you back ~$100.

      Being online, you can find anything…
      References :

    6. Waffletten Says:

      You can buy an external USB CD or DVD drive.
      Or you can use a program like unetbootin to create a bootable flash drive from an iso image of a CD

      In your case, an external USB DVD would probably be best. Get one that has an onboard battery, many netbooks don’t have enough current on the USB ports to properly power many external USB CD/DVD drives. Plextor makes a good one: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827249034
      References :
      23 years building, fixing, and modding computers

    7. spider Says:

      yes external drive usb into laptop
      or for time being she can dl the program to a desktop and have someone send it as a file attachment in email
      References :

    8. J Says:

      simple answer, don’t buy it, get one with the drive fitted.
      References :

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