I don't know a lot about cd-rom drives, so I appreciate some advice.

I have a compaq deskpro on which the cd-rom drive isn't working. I'm having a lot of trouble finding the same one to replace it with. Does it have to be the same one? or can I use any cd drive with the same connection.

Also, the old one is scsi so is there any way I could use a ide drive, is there an adapter or something?

If you replace it ,go with a DVD-rom or cdrw drive.As for your question,yes you can replace the drive with an eide drive,by almost any make.The LiteOn drives are about the best bang for the buck.You can buy a dvd or cdrw for under $50.You may need an eide cable.The retail drives come with one.

That is assuming that you have a spare IDE channel to stick an IDE CDRom/DVDRom on.

It would definatly work out cheaper getting an IDE drive though, probably even if you had to buy a ATA PCI addon card just to hook it up.

Also I don't recall my retail Lite-On DVDRom or CDRW coming with an IDE cable.

Deskpros do have ide connections.All my LiteOns (retail) came with cables.I have purchased at least 20 of them.All from Dell.I have several dozen cables in my drawer,most unused from the LiteOns.

Just to throw mine into the mix -

None of my drives, burners or otherwise have evercome with cables - so I'd say it's pot luck.

BUT - If your gonna get a card to give you an IDE channel then that most likely WILL have a IDE cable.

Have a look at www.ebuyer.com

He already has a ide! I have worked on dozens of DeskPros,they ALL had ide.As for the cable being included,I just checked 3 brands of cdrws I have on hand.They are Lite On,Memorex(really LiteOn),and Plextor.All say ide,audio cables and mounting screws included! these are all current models of the drives 48x and faster.I live in the states,so maybe that is why mine come with cables.To be honest,I seldom use their cables anyway.They usually are shorter than I need!Plus I prefer round cables.

OK for what it's worth my retail lite-on came with an IDE cable (in australia). I also used to have a deskpro & it did have ide connections so putting in a new drive should be a cinch.