How To Install A
CD Or DVD drive

Do you know how to install a CD or DVD drive? Installing a CD or DVD drive into your computer need not be a difficult process. You need to simply understand the steps required and practice them well.

In this article, we look at the proper steps to inserting and installing a CD or DVD drive. From configuring jumpers to inserting and securing the drive and connecting the cables, you should be able to install everything within 10 minutes. The above special procedures that you need to undertake can seem difficult if you're a first time computer builder, it can seem difficult. Don't worry - we'll guide you along and soon you'll learn the necessary skills.

Learning how to install a CD or DVD drive is
an important part of building a PC

1. Remove The Blank Drive Bay

The first step in learning how to install a CD or DVD drive is to locate a blank drive bay. Typically, computers come with many drive bays and you need an empty one for your CD or DVD drive. Locate it, then slide the cover off.
 

2. Configure The Jumpers On The Drive

The next step in learning how to install a CD or DVD drive is to start configuring the jumpers on your CD or DVD drive. The way to do this is to check the drive manual and see which settings are correct. Typically, there are two IDE channels in a computer - primary and secondary. You can configure the drive to be a master drive on the secondary channel, or a slave (to the hard disk) on the primary channel.
 

3. Insert and Secure Drive

Right, the next step is to insert and secure your drive. There should be screws on the side of the drive as you slot it in - fasten those to firmly hold the drive in the drive bay.
 

4. Connect The Cables

Ok, you're almost done in learning how to install a CD drive or DVD drive. In this step, you need to connect the cables - there are two of them. One is the power cable, and the other is the IDE cable. Connect these two, and we're good to go!
 

5. Put Back The Side Panel

The last step discovering how to install a CD drive or DVD drive is to replace the side panel on the computer case. This was previously removed when you had to access the computer's internals.
 

Conclusion

And that's it! Now you that you know how to install a CD or DVD drive, you can amaze your friends and family with your new found knowledge! Actually, the steps above are very similar for a hard disk drive installation, which you can read about here.

If you found this article on how to install a CD or DVD drive useful, be sure to check out my newsletter for more computer tips.

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