How To Install A CD-ROM/CD-Rewritable

If you want to upgrade your CD-ROM drive, install it on a machine that does not have one or put in a CD burner without having to pay serious money, here is some information that will help you.

Supplies
Before you start digging around in your computer, make sure you have the necessary supplies:

* A CD-ROM drive
* Phillips Screwdriver
* Needlenose Pliers
* Anti-static wrist strap (optional)

Before installation
Unplug your computer and carry the case to a clear space on a table or desk. Remove the screws holding the out shell of your case, and remove out shell. The motherboard and all the insides should be clearly visible. In the top left of the case you should see the power supply, the box with red, yellow and black cables coming out. At the end the wires of the power supply have a connector with 4 pin holes. The ribbons you see are what transfer the data from the drive to the motherboard. Look at your existing setup and look how they connect to the floppy drive etc.

A. Adding a CD-ROM drive(Burner, DVD, or any CD-ROM)

1. Remove the face plate cover on your tower where your CD-ROM will be taking its place.
2. Set the jumper on the back of your new CD-ROM drive to slave if not already set. If there is no diagram refer to manufacturers website for settings.
3. Slide the drive into the open slot in your case.
4. Once your drive is in place look at the IDE ribbon connected to your hard drive and see if there are any free connectors to plug into your CD-ROM. If there are not use the IDE ribbon that came with the drive and connect the CD-ROM to your motherboard.
5. Connect the audio cable (the small one almost like phone cord and jack) to your CD-ROM drive then connect the other end to your audio card.
Note: This is only necessary if you want sound from your CD-ROM.
6. Now connect your power supply connector to your CD-ROM drive. It is a cord that has yellow, black and red wires with a connector on the end.
7. Once everything is connected, screw the drive into place and close up the case and reboot. When the system starts the new piece of hardware should be recognized and the drivers for it should be installed by the operating system.
8. Test it out to make sure its working.

B. Upgrading an existing CD-ROM

1. Remove the existing CD-ROM drive by disconnecting all the cables and power supply.
2. Set the jumper on the back of your new CD-ROM drive to the same settings on your old CD-ROM drive.
3. Slide the drive into the open slot in your case. But do not screw in the screws yet because you might need to slide it around.
4. Once your drive is in place connect the IDE ribbon. You can use the ribbon that came with the new drive.
5. Connect the audio cable to your CD-ROM drive then connect the other end to your audio card.
6. Now its time to connect your power supply connector to your CD-ROM drive. It is a cord that has yellow, black and red wires with a connector on the end.
7. Once everything is connected, screw the drive into place, close up the case and reboot. The new drive should be recognized and the new drivers should be installed when the operating system starts.
8. Test it out to make sure its working.