Trying to fix my laptop = wasted lunch

[roseembolism]

It seriously was a waste of an hour, and I'm more than a little frustrated, given I could have been writing instead.  I also was left with a question regarding refurbished DVD/CD-R drives.

To recap: in order to get Norton to stop keeping me from acessing the internet, I need to reformat my computer.  To do that, I need a functioning DVD/CD-ROM drive.  So today, I decided I would get one from a local dealer.  I tried the two most likely choices, and called etech4sale, one while driving over to Central Computers.

What a waste of time.  Etech4sale put me on a phone tree, hung up on me, and then told me no one was available to take my call.  Central computers was there, but the geezer at the  desk could find only one laptop drive, and he was doubtful it would fit.  

So that was my lunch hour.  Now I'm considering buying a drive off the internet.  the question is, do I buy a new one for $130+ dollars, or a used one, for around $50.00?  Does anybody have experience with refurbished computer gear?

Comments

[ronebofh.livejournal.com]

Another option is an external drive.

[devonapple.livejournal.com]

He may still need a functioning on-board DVD/CD drive for whatever install disks he may be using. Will install disks work off of an external DVD/CD drive?

[roseembolism.livejournal.com]

I've been informed by an expert that I do need an internal drive. So I'm back to looking at new or refurbished drives, or possibly going back to that shop that did the earlier work. They offered to do it for $80.00 dollars...of course it would take a few weeks to do so.

[ronebofh.livejournal.com]

Unless it's an old computer, it should work just fine.

[roseembolism.livejournal.com]

It's about two and a half years old, now- I got it when i moved up here. Does that count as old? ;')

Anyway, a refurbished thingie it shall be.