replacing dvd drive

colin13

guys is this a hard or easy job to do, and is there anything I should b aware off b4 i try and do this,

Sput2001

If it's just a straight swap, replacing an old one with a new one, then it's a doddle.

You'll need to check how the existing drive connects to your motherboard, and make sure the new drive has the same connection. It'll either be an IDE or SATA connection - IDE is a long thin plug with a ribbon cable approximately 2 inches wide. SATA is a much smaller plug and narrower cable. There'll be another cable that plugs into the drive from the power supply, too.

It depends on what OS you're using, but in most cases it should simply be a case of switching off the PC, disconnecting and removing the old one, and putting the new one in (which is simply the reverse process of removal). When you switch on again your OS should then pick up the new one and you're done.

darich

you'll also need to check the jumper settings.
the jumpers are small metal "bridges" that contact two pins together on the back of an ID device.
Check whether the drive you're removing is master or slave and set the jumper according to the drive you're inserting.

It sounds complicated but it's really simple and the settings are stamped onto the back of the cd rom drive.
If you get it wrong then your machine won't boot - i'm pretty sure you can't damage anything by setting it wrong.

Sput2001

darich wrote: »

you'll also need to check the jumper settings.
the jumpers are small metal "bridges" that contact two pins together on the back of an ID device.
Check whether the drive you're removing is master or slave and set the jumper according to the drive you're inserting.

It sounds complicated but it's really simple and the settings are stamped onto the back of the cd rom drive.
If you get it wrong then your machine won't boot - i'm pretty sure you can't damage anything by setting it wrong.

Ooops, forgot about that. This only applies to IDE connections, though.

iviv

You'll need a screwdriver to do it, but thats about it. Just unplug the cables from the old drive, you can either replace them with the newer cables if its easy, or reuse the older ones. Then make sure the jumpers are set correctly (assuming its IDE) then just slot it into the computer and plug it all in.