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Upgrade Guide

Install a DVD-ROM drive in your system, step by step.

  

Install the DVD-ROM Drive

These days, a PC's motherboard has two IDE channels, a primary one and a secondary one, each with its own connector (A). A cable attaches the hard drive to the primary channel, and another cable likely connects the CD-ROM drive to the secondary channel. If each of these cables has a spare connector between the motherboard and the device, then each channel should support a second device. If possible, hook up your DVD-ROM drive to the same cable to which the CD-ROM drive is attached. If a second drive--such as a tape or Zip drive--already occupies that spot, connect the DVD-ROM drive to the same cable that the hard drive is plugged into. Hopefully, one of your IDE cables has a free connector. If not, use the cable that came with your DVD-ROM drive upgrade kit.

Make sure the jumpers on the back of the DVD-ROM drive are set to "slave" (B). If brackets are needed to mount the drive in your computer, attach them now. Slide the DVD-ROM drive into your PC's mounting bay (C), and connect the IDE cable and the power cable to the rear of the DVD-ROM drive (D). Make sure the colored edge (usually red) of the IDE cable is attached to pin 1 on the DVD-ROM drive's connector (it's marked; look closely).

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