How to Install a DVD Drive

The advent of DVD-format movies has rapidly taken over the home movie market. If you want to watch movies on your computer, all you need is a DVD drive and a sound card. Multimedia computers have these already, but you can upgrade your old computer to serve as a movie viewer.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Phillips screwdriver
• Slotted screwdriver

1. Open the computer case by removing the screws to either the left panel or around the back to remove the case.
2. Locate a vacant mounting location in the drive bays on the front panel's upper region.
3. Place your new DVD drive in a location and fasten it down using the mounting screws that came with your drive.
4. Check to see if there is another drive on the interface cable. If there is, select the "Slave" drive on the back of the DVD drive. Otherwise, set the drive as "Master" and plug in the power cord and interface cable.
5. Take the sound cable and clip it to the back of the DVD drive. The other end attaches to the sound card. On a stand-alone card, there will be a connector on the top edge of the board. If the sound card functions are integral to the motherboard, you will need to refer to the motherboard manual to find where the sound connector is located.
6. Secure the case by placing the side panel back on or fitting the case over the base and screwing it in place.
7. Turn on the computer, and check under "My Computer" to make sure you see the new drive listed.

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