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A CD drive is an essential part of any good computer system. Fortunately, it doesn't take much time or skill to install one yourself. Just follow this guide to learn how to install a CD drive in a PC.
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A CD drive is an essential part of any good computer system. Fortunately, it doesn't take much time or skill to install one yourself. Just follow this guide to learn how to install a CD drive in a PC.
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Introduction
A CD drive is a must-have accessory for any computer. Inexpensive and fairly simple to install, a CD drive is necessary if you want to use CD ROMs or play your own music through your computer.Most store-bought computers come with their own drives, but if you are building your own machine or wish to place a second drive in your pre-built model, you will need to know how to perform a proper installation.
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Step 1: Prepare for Installation
- Power down your computer, and unplug to avoid electric shock.
- Choose which drive bay you want your CD drive in. The uppermost bay is optimal.
- Check jumper settings. If this is your only drive, it needs to be set at MASTER. If you have more than one drive, it should be set to SLAVE. Check your manual for details on how to set the jumpers, as every drive is different.
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Step 2: Install
- Now that your jumpers have been set, you can insert the CD drive into the empty bay you have selected. If the bay is not empty, you will first need to remove the old drive. Some drives must be screwed into place, while others slide right in and lock.
Video Tutorial: How To Install A CD-ROM Drive
http://www.youtube.com/user/tmcckk1Tmcckk1 demonstrates the quick and easy task of installing a CD-Rom drive into a PC.
Step 3: Connect
- All connectors will be shaped differently, so it should not be possible to use the wrong ones by accident.
- Connect the power to the back of the drive.
- Connect the ribbon cable to the back of the drive. This has three connectors: one on each end and one in the middle. The middle one is a SLAVE connector.
- Connect one end connector to your drive, and one to your motherboard. Do not use the red slot or the highest numbered slot on the motherboard, as those are for the hard drive.
- Plug in and power on. If your computer does not immediately recognize the CD drive, go to the motherboard's BIOS and look for IDE channels. Set them to AUTO.
Conclusion
- Every computer should have a CD drive, and it is surprisingly easy to install one. No matter what your skill level, you should be able to perform a successful installation by following the steps above. Then you will be able to enjoy listening to music from your CD collection on your computer, or using software on a CD ROM.
