Got a question on PC internal DVD \Writer. Thinking about purchasing one. I presume that they will still Record/ read etc. onto CD rom as well as DVD material. What else should I be looking for-- Suggestions very welcome.

Yes, they will also write to CDs. Not much to say apart from comparing the statistics that are usually given: speed of read and write on CD and DVD as high as possible, compatible with as many formats and recording modes as possible. A large buffer, low access time, and buffer underrun protection are probably more important though. You will also need software to read and burn CDs/DVDs, normally but not always bundled. There are often good deals for new items on eBay if you're not too bothered about having last month's specification. Here are details of a Sony device from Dabs just to give an idea of what can be quoted.

Read Speed 40x (CD) / 12x (DVD)

Write Speed 40x (CD) / 4x (DVD-R) / 8x (DVD+R)

CD / DVD Rewrite Speed 24x (CD) / 2x (DVD-RW) / 4x (DVD+RW)

Supported CD Formats CD Text, CD Extra, CD-DA (audio)

Supported Recording Modes Disc-at-once, track-at-once, packet writing, session-at-once

Supported Media Types CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD+R

Buffer Size 2 MB

Buffer Underrun Protection Power-Burn

Access Time 200 ms (DVD), 160 ms (CD)

Kayak;Those were to be the next answers I needed:-)Didnt know They wrote to CD as well.Does that mean A DVD RW will also be a CD RW?
I thought I would have to buy both.

Also note that despite the multi format write (+RW and -RW) ability of many new DVD writers, there are still some problems with compatibilty. It is possible that some DVD's may not play on some DVD players, the problem is getting less all the time.

Iain, yep: CD / DVD Rewrite Speed 24x (CD) / 2x (DVD-RW) / 4x (DVD+RW) :-)

Writing is always faster than rewriting though and the media are cheaper too.

So how do these copies of the Latest "Blockbuster" titles get done? 2 DVD RW Drives;-)
Of course I would not condone such a thing.

Does anyone know if there is a free download site for protection against this new virus W32/Mydoom@MM..... Ta in advance.

d2k - don't be a cheapskate :-) Get Norton AV - it saved my ass yesterday when I got three emails from sources that I didn't recognise and each one had the W32.Novarg (aka mydoom) virus. Norton zapped them before they downloaded. Here's the symantec security page which gives removal instructions - don't know if its free though :- Novarg/MyDoom Virus Security Response

Pay!In a P2P Age.
It saved me yesterday as well.Ill send a Donation to Mr Symantec to ease my guilt:>)

There's a lot of hysteria about viruses. I got the same emails, but because they were from a source I didn't recognise, as well as containing an attachment, I didn't open them. Even if I had opened them, a security box would have opened up warning me about opening a .zip attachment. I have never used an anti-virus program.

Kayak - you have to agree that you are NOT an average computer user :-) For your average Joe/Robb/Iain/man in the street NAV takes a lot of the worry away for the sake of 20-30. AND you can be vigilant as well.

Balderdash :-)

Well, OK, when my toddler starts using email I may well have to invest in one :-(

Kayak.Your the Man!I can almost hear your shout to those Nerdy Virus Programmers."BRING IT ON!!!!" :-))))))))

Kayak/All - this is real.

MyDOOM B virus - very nasty.

Check out the site details - given the full code so go check

http://www.microsoft.com/security/antivirus/mydoom.asp

Message from my ISP (OneTel):-

"Virus Alert

A very serious new virus threat has been spreading across the Internet now for some hours.

In order to stop this spreading any further, we have blocked the specific Email attachment types detailed below:

.bat, .cmd, .exe, .pif, .scr "

Hmmm? Yes. A good idea, son!

Worm Virus W32/MyDoom Brings Chaos To Traders EMails
Download Check & Fix Here
http://www.snappytrader.com/pqremove.com

I've had several Norton alerts in the past few days and deleted them all without looking. Not sure which virus, but it only happened since I subscribed to CBS Marketwatch earlier in the week. Anyone else?

Is there a link?

Different subject.

I'm looking at acquiring a new TFT to link into my laptop. Am planning for it to run SSRT so good graphics required. It would be the second monitor on my laptop after the main screen. Graphics card is ATI Mobility Radeon M6-M/D with 16mB.

My question is will it run a Dell 2001fp TFT set at 1600x1280 as well as my laptop screen?

Cheers,
Al

Al, probably a coincidence, this current virus became widespread about the same time.

Re the screen, I am not sure what you want to do, laptops can normally only show the same information either on the internal screen or the external or both, I havnt seen any where you can use the 2 screens to show different info. You can definateley have different resolutions, those available should be ib the documentation I havnt checked your graphocs card but 1600x1280 might be a bit much for it.

Al, I have tried running two screens from my laptop - A Dell Inspiron 3800 (old!) - could get two different screens but the second (running D4F) became miscoloured but still usable. Not sure what the graphics card is. Will check and see.