As some of you know, my Lite-On DVD drive was killed by SecuROM (In an attempt to install FEAR)

So, I'm now in the market for a new DVD drive but I don't want to suffer the same problem as before. I'd like to ask my fellow forumers as to what drives you guys are using to play your games and which are the ones that have the least conflicts.

In short, here's what I want to know:
1) What brand is your DVD drive. I don't really want a burner/combo drive due to the possible issue with Starforce, but if there's nothing else, I will settle for it.
2) Which of these DRMs work with the drive. SecuROM, Safedisc and Starforce. I'm looking for one that works with all three with the least amount of risk.

Thanks in advance.

Drive is working perfectly fine until I bring back the FEAR DVD. Even when running the autorun, it comes out all wonky (Takes ages to load and doesn't load properly). When trying to install, it fails to load the setup file. After this incident, the drive is no longer able to copy files from CD/DVD without spitting out some read errors at random.

I also read online that Lite On drives are NOT supported by SecuROM, so I wouldn't want another one of those again.

Regardless of age (My faithful drive for 3 years) and how it got busted, I still need to find a new one and with the rage of DRMs now, I want to pick one that's not fickle.

Well, according to some sites I went, LiteOn drives can't read SecuROM discs at all, so factor in my drive's age and the DRM, it caused it to go wonky permanently.

And thanks for more anti-SF stuff... Its almost mandatory for ANY talks on game DRMs to include that infamous website.

So, aside from Asus drives, any other recommendations?

EDIT: Oh yeah, it has become a known fact that incompatible DRMs may cause permanent damage to unsupported drives. I've read about Safedisc incapacitating combo drives about 2-4 years ago. So, its not an isolated case. Maybe its because mine's an older generation drive I guess.

This post has been edited by H@H@: Apr 12 2006, 04:35 PM

ASUS

How's about Sony drives? I mean, SecuROM IS by them, so it shouldn't have any problems right?... RIGHT?

I suppose its LG or Pioneer then.

That's why I never opt for burner/ combo drives. Normal ones last longer. I still have a CD ROM that's "technically" still functioning after 5-7 years (It has a problem ejecting the tray)

If I do buy a burner, it will strictly be for that purpose.

Yes, I need it to play Oblivion... Something which could hit our shores any minute now (*hint* *hint* to lazy distros )

Previously, I was using my friend's DVD burner (Can't remember the brand... Oh woe is me) but now he's back in Aus... *sigh*

HP sells their drives separately?

Hmm, I think my friend's drive was a Pioneer. Seemed pretty nice.

Anyway, DVD drives are so freaking cheap now, the price difference is usually 10-20 bux difference, so no real problem in that department... The REAL problem is finding them as the craze now is on multipurpose drives.