What is a CDRW /CD ROM  drive? What are it's capabilities and limitations? Thanks!

Hi

This is potentially a huge subject, so I'll just summarize:

CD ROM DRIVE
------------

This can read CD's, both music and those with data files (eg documents).
Applications usually come on CD these days.
Any written CD+R or CD-R disk can be read by most CD ROM Drives.

CD+R or CD-R DRIVE
------------------

These can do the same as a CDROM DRIVE and also write CD+R disks, or CD-R Disks
Most drives can write both.
Note that the disks can only be written once. But they are cheap.
Typical prices for a disk are USD/CAD 0.30, EUR 0.25, GBP 0.20

CD RW DRIVE
-----------

These can always do the same as a CD ROM DRIVE and usually the same as
a CD+R/CD-R drive.
Disks are more expensive, but they can be changed once written. So you
can use them multiple times.
Note that many CDROM drives cannot read CDRW disks.

Ratty

That was very helpful. Thank you.

Here is a link to the "How Stuff Works" website that gives a good overview...
I have linked you to the Printable view so that you don't have to
click through 10 short pages full of adverts to read the whole
article!

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/cd-burner.htm/printable

Good Luck.