Installing a DVD Writer

[jakers]

Just tonight, I'm purchasing a TDK 420N and am wondering if I will be able to handle self installation? I've never really worked with my CPU from the inside. Is it easy? Is there any suggestions for what to look for or avoid?

Thanks so much.

[redwudz]

It's not that hard. Sometimes depends on what kind of case you have; IE, how much room there is. If you are replacing a CD burner with a DVD burner, you can probably just take out the four screws that hold the drive, unplug the IDE cable, the power cable, and the audio cable and pull the unit. Put the new unit in place of it, replug all the cables, put the screws back in and you're done. Problems? Getting into the case, unplugging and replugging the cables. You may have to change the jumper setting on the drive. The drive, as long as it's not an OEM unit, should come with simple instructions. If you really don't want to try all this, find a friendly computer store or someone that has done it a few times and give them a couple of bucks to do it for you.

[jdizzy40]

Follow the instructions and pay attention to the jumper settings and location on the ribbon cable. Make the new DVD writer the master, set the jumper to master and hook one end of the cable to it. Put your other optical drive (if you choose to keep it), in the middel of cable, Set jumper to salve. This cable should be connected to IDE 2 on your motherboard. When in doubt set both jumpers to cable select (CS) if your puter has trouble reading (recognizing) either optical drive. Don't in any circumstance put your writer on the same (IDE port) cable with your hard drive. And finally don't forget to plug power into it. No drivers required so don't go looking for one. Load the software that came with the drive and have at it. Your Operating system should or will recognize the drive upon reboot. And always when working on the inside of your system, unplug the power source and ground yourself out on the case. Done!

[hech54]

Alot of computers nowadays even have "How to take apart the tower"(for lack of better computer lingo) in the Help section.....SOMEWHERE....it's usually pretty buried.

[pharlap]

be careful it is off at wall
touch the case to earth yourself of any static charge before installing any gear some of my customers have fried there motherboards from working on there computer