Just FYI, I own a Dell 8200 and yes I have downloaded the newest drives/fixes/patches off of the website.

Lately, my CDRW has been acting up really badly (it worked fine for years; recently we had to reformat but it started acting up shortly before that).

From what I can discern from various websites and articles, its a problem with the firmware on my CDRW.

The problem is that my 3 1/2 floppy drive DOES NOT WORK; so I have no viable way of updating the available firmware upgrade with the method they reccomend on the CDRW support website.

I have a LG CD-RW CED-8080b and yes I have downloaded the firmware update I found on the web but like I said, without a floppy drive its useless to me.

*Sigh*

Other then reccomending I get a new CDRW, does anyone have any suggestions or ideas?

***CORRECTION***
Sorry, its a Dell 8200 DIMENSION
*facepalms*

When I say acting badly, let me clarify that as either not recognizing formatted CDs, not allowing data transfer, or not burning at all.

if you have a usb support how about installing of a thumb drive

What is a thumb drive, Spud?

*points at siggy*

I am only relatively tech-savvy for a girl; but relatively dum.

http://www.thumbdrive.com/

an even "cheaper" route would be to replace your Floppy Drive.
e-bay has hundreds for less than $10

e-bay

Thanks Jephree and Spud!

^_^