How to Install a DVD or CD Drive on a Computer

Things You Need:

• Rewriteable DVD/CD drive
• Computer
• Screwdriver
• Masking tape
• Pen or pencil
• Latex gloves (optional)

You may have heard friends talk about "burning" their own custom CDs and DVDs, and you're wondering how you can do it yourself. With a rewriteable CD Drive, you can make custom CDs out of your favorite playlists. To burn your own disks, you'll need a rewriteable optical drive. A rewriteable DVD drive or DVD "burner" will typically double as a CD drive as well. You don't need to buy a whole new computer just to burn CDs and DVDs. You can install a DVD drive yourself by following these steps.

Installing a DVD or CD Drive:

1. Choose the right DVD drive. Not all drives are compatible with all computer models. Check the system requirements of the DVD drive to make sure your computer is capable of supporting it.

2. Read the installation instructions that come with your DVD drive or CD drive. Some DVD drives require that you install drivers or software before you open your computer and install the DVD drive itself.

3. Unplug your computer and remove the cover. Make sure to detach all peripheral wires, plugs and power cords. If possible, work on your computer in a non-carpeted area to reduce static electricity, which can damage computer components. While working on the computer, discharge the static electricity from your body by touching an unpainted metal surface, like the side of the computer case.

4. Mark the connector cables. Label the different connector cables with masking tape so you know where they all go.

5. Set the drive jumpers of the new and existing drives. If you are adding a DVD or CD drive, you will want to make the new DVD drive the "master" drive, or main drive, and the existing CD drive the "slave" drive, or secondary drive. Consult your DVD drive's user manual for how to do this. Remember which drive you have chosen as the master.

6. Install the DVD drive into the computer case. Some computer cases have rails that attach to the CD drive itself and then slide into position on the case. Other cases use screws or holding clips to secure a DVD or CD drive. Make sure the CD drive is adequately secured before continuing.

7. Attach the appropriate cables to your DVD drive. There will be three cables that attach to your new DVD or CD drive: an interface cable, a power cable and an audio cable. These cables will attach your DVD drive to the motherboard. Consult your user manual for instructions on how to find the connection ports on your motherboard.

   • There will be an existing interface cable, shaped like a ribbon, which connects to your existing CD drive. If the existing interface cable does not have a connector in both the center and end of the ribbon, you will need to replace it with the cable that came with your DVD drive. Plug the very end of the interface cable into the master DVD or CD drive, described in Step 5. Plug the middle connector into the slave disk drive.

   • Attach a power cable from the motherboard to the new DVD drive. If there isn't a free power cable on your motherboard, you may need to purchase one.

   • Attach the audio cable from the motherboard to the DVD drive.

8. Restart your computer. Replace the cover and reconnect all power cords and peripheral devices. Turn your computer on and wait for the system to boot up. Search your computer settings to see if a new DVD or CD drive is recognized. If you don't see the icon for your new DVD drive, you may need to follow the troubleshooting instructions in your drive's user manual to help your computer recognize the new drive.

9. Test your DVD drive. Play a DVD or CD in your new DVD drive to test it. If your DVD drive came with editing or disk-burning software, follow the program instructions to burn a new CD or DVD using a blank rewriteable DVD or CD. Test the new disk in another DVD or CD player. You should now be able to make your own custom CDs and or DVDs.