How to Install a CD Drive on a Computer
Level of difficulty: Intermediate
Installing a CD-ROM drive into a system is not as hard as it seems. If a computer was bought without a CD-ROM drive, if the computer’s CD-Drive has broken down, or if the CD-ROM drive is to be upgraded to a writable one a or a DVD-ROM, it is helpful to know how to install it into the system personally. This foregoes the hassle of having to hire someone to do it when it is in fact an easy chore.
Materials Needed:- CD Drive
- screw driver
- screws
Step 1
The first thing to do is to shut down the computer. Turning its internal power off is also necessary.
Step 2
Remove all the cords attached to the computer, including the power cable. Unscrew one of the computer’s panels, preferably the one where the fan is attached. Set aside the screws and the cover.
Step 3
Every CPU has a number of drive slots on its front panel. This allows the installation of CD, DVD, or floppy drives into the computer. Remove a drive slot cover from the preferred slot where the CD drive is to be installed. Removing a drive slot may require unscrewing it. Some drive slots are removed simply by pushing some tabs inside or outside the case.
Step 4
Most CD or DVD drives typically use an IDE interface. This interface allows two devices on a single cable. Each device is to be placed on the appropriate mode. One drive can be listed as the master while the other is a slave. If the drive is to be installed on an already existing cable, it should be set to Slave mode. If it comes with its own IDE cable, it should be set to Master.
Step 5
Depending on the CPU case, installing a CD Drive to a system varies. Some CPU cases have drive rails where others have cages. If the case has drive rails, screw the rails on the side of the drive. Slide these rails on the slot you selected. If the CPU case has a drive cage, slide the drive to the slot. Secure the drive with screws on appropriate screw holes in the case.
Step 6
Plug the Internal Audio Cable. One end of the small two-wire cable with a standard connector attached to the PC’s motherboard or audio card is to be plugged into the back of the drive labeled as CD Audio.
Step 7
Attach the IDE cable to the CD. Most computers may have the CD drive residing on the system as a secondary drive, with the hard drive as the first. Plug the free connector on the IDE ribbon cable to the CD drive. If the drive is to run on its own IDE cable, then plug the cable to both the motherboard and the CD drive.
Step 8
Plug the CD drive to the power supply. A 3-pin Molex connector should be available from the power supply. This is then plugged in to the drive’s own power connector.
Step 9
Put the CPU back together and turn it on. The computer should automatically detect the newly installed CD drive.