Adding a DVD drive

**RusskiSoldat** · July 04, 2006, 08:59 PM

So I'm going back to Russia where my computer has quite a problem: it's CD drive scratches all disks to the point of unreadability.
I'm intent on just putting in a new DVD drive.
Is the procedure hard and what should I take into account when buying a new drive?

**Justinian** · July 04, 2006, 09:01 PM

It's not hard at all ... basically all you have to do is put it in and connect a few wires, but it's best to read an instruction manual or something thoroughly. As for what to take into account, I have no idea ... I only know how to put it in, not which are better than others.

**Aristocrat** · July 04, 2006, 09:05 PM

It is simple.
Just make sure you buy a drive that is the right height and depth (the same height, etc as your cd drive...not hard as most as are standard).
Then you slide it into the case (again real easy..their are brackets) and use screws to secure it (depends on your case....but most use screws).
Then you use an connect it to the motherboard using an IDE cable (same as the cd drive) and plug into the powers supply.

Pretty much when you take the cd drive out just do the reverse with the DVD drive.

Edit: You can get good DVD burners all in one drives for fairly cheap now...under $100 Australian.
Lite-on, Samsung, LG are all good brands.

**RusskiSoldat** · July 05, 2006, 03:40 AM

Thanks all.
Next time I post here will be from Moscow, so I'll settle the problem then.

**Cyrus the Virus** · July 05, 2006, 05:14 AM

Except from the IDE cable, isn't one more he is going to need??

**Aristocrat** · July 05, 2006, 09:00 AM

If the CD drive he has is bad I assume he will just use the IDE cable off that, if he isn't replacing it and is just adding the DVD drive he will need to buy a seperate IDE cable, or, if he still has the motherboard box, etc there should be cables with that (brand and motherboard type depending).

**Tacticalwithdrawal** · July 05, 2006, 09:04 AM

he may also need to set its master/slave jumpers, but this would be in the manual.

**RusskiSoldat** · July 09, 2006, 02:11 AM

any visual guide on rmoving drives?
i cant find the screws holding my current one in place

**Tacticalwithdrawal** · July 09, 2006, 02:14 AM

I've just replaced my DVD burner drive, took about 30 seconds.

screws will be in the sides of the drive, attaching it to the case (see http://www.fonerbooks.com/r_cd.htm for pictures of doing a CD drive, DVD is pretty much the same)

**RusskiSoldat** · July 09, 2006, 02:32 AM

a few guides say i have to remove both sides of the case (is this safe? i only ever removed the one meant to be removed) and one reccomended removing the drive cage. what do i do?

**krazykarl** · July 09, 2006, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by RusskiSoldat

a few guides say i have to remove both sides of the case (is this safe? i only ever removed the one meant to be removed) and one reccomended removing the drive cage. what do i do?

Well the screws are supposed to go in both sides of the drive, so you either have to remove both sides, or if the drive cage is removable, take it out (mind you I have never seen any cases with removable 5.25" drive bays). If you have a name brand system (like a dell) it may have the drive on rails, which makes upgrading really easy, you just slide it out, move the rails over and put it the new one in.

**Cyrus the Virus** · July 09, 2006, 05:48 AM

Its not hard when you have done it. You get more experienced to say.

**Aristocrat** · July 09, 2006, 07:25 PM

On removing both sides of the case, it is fully safe.
The case is just a piece of metal after all, just unscrew the side and take it off, and you will see if there are any more screws holding the CD drive in place.