Samsung SM-352BENB and installing Windows

[tc17]

I don't own this drive but was thinking of buying it.

However I've read a couple of user comments/reviews on a site selling the Samsung combo drives, and they stated that they could not install Windows using this drive, it would abort/crash with an error part way in the install. They did not state which version of Windows it was though.

I was wondering if anyone has experienced this problem here? With any of the Samsung combo drives.

[Ian]

I installed Windows XP the other day using an SM-348B the other day. Worked really well.

I find problems like this are usually caused by the users.

[tc17]

Ok thanks for the reply. Sounds like it should work then.

The one guy did mention that it did it to him during a clean install (I assume booting off the cdrom), and he thought it had something to do with it being a combo drive and new.

[motocoke]

I have this drive, and it works well with Windows XP Pro. I'm using an nForce2 motherboard (the Soltek Ian reviewed).

The DVD-ROM is multi-read DVD+/- whatever.

The error correction for DVDs is better than my Lite-On LTD166S. I have some defective DVDs that will cause my other DVD-ROM drives like the LTD166S, and Pioneer DVD-120 to hang. Plays perfectly on my Sammy.

Love this drive. Waiting for Ian to review it.

[TheWizard]

I find problems like this are usually caused by the users.

Precisely. It is entirely possible that the users have a bum copy of Windows.

[tc17]

Does anyone here know if this Samsung combo drive supports reading DVD+R / DVD+RW?

From the reviews I have seen, the Nero program shows it not supporting that.

It would seem strange that it support the DVD-R and not the DVD+R discs. But then I don't know how important that is either.

[Ian]

InfoTool isn't 100% accurate. The SM-352B supports DVD+R and DVD-R.

However, I've had some problems getting the drive to recognize DVD-RW and DVD+RW.

[Priest]

What's about writing quality and compatibility?
Is the SM 352 as good as the 348?
Are the 24x RW readable after writing 24x? I have had a ASUS 5224 and the RWs written at 24x has astronomical C2 Errors. (Tested on 10 Verbatim 24x RW)

I find no test an want to buy the drive.

Cu P.

[Ian]

Have patience, the review will be done very soon.

[dodecahedron]

great!