This is not the CD-RW you want.
I got one for free from a friend who filed his in a closet after it stopped the whole "W" part of it's main functionality. I didn't have any drivers or software, so I used the Adaptec programs that came with an HP CD-RW I own. And first off, since Hi-Val was bought out or whatever (because of such shotty products I assume) there was extremely limited official support on the internet. Perhaps the only redeeming thing about this drive is that there is a lot of support out there on the internet from other people that made the same mistakes as I did by getting looped into buying a Hi-Val product. Anyway, after reading through pages of other people's problems with hardware conflicts and software glitches, I embarked on making this thing work--and for a measily 2x write speed.

First, I ran a cleaner disc through it and it functioned well as a CD ROM so I began my install of the burning software. I installed the Adaptec software with no success. It would seem to recognize all the pieces and perform it's job, but the end product would be an empty disc. Not even a ruined disc, to there was no writing action going on. Next, I installed Nero 5.0 and that didn't fix it either. At this point I gave up.

Later, I may try a program that a friend of mine got with his newer Hi-Val CD-RW, but I'm not sure I'll be met with success. update: that didn't work either.

In contrast, I purchased a new HP CD-RW and it works like a charm. update: and I purchased an Adaptec that works okay, but Hi-Val is totally junk.

Recommended: No