How to Install a Sata DVD Drive

Computer technology is always changing and evolving. It would be natural to want to keep a computer up to date with these technological trends. One such new technology is SATA. SATA, or Serial ATA is a drive interface that allows for one drive per data cable, eliminating the often confusing master/slave configuration requirements of PATA, or Parallel ATA. The SATA data cable is smaller and more flexible, allowing for easier installation and cable routing. The SATA interface is faster than the aging PATA interface.

Things You'll Need

• Phillips head screw driver
• SATA cable
• One free power connector

Instructions

Preparation

1. Clear off the area you plan to use to work on the computer.

2. Cover the work area with a white sheet. This prevents scratching of the work area surface and makes finding dropped components easier to find.

3. Ascertain whether your computer case uses a rail system for holding drives in place or if it uses direct screwing to the drive cage itself. A case that uses a rail system will have metal or plastic rails that attach to the drive to facilitate easy installation and removal of a drive. A case that uses screws to hold a drive in place will only have bays for the drive to fit in, and slots to line up with the screw holes for drive installation.

4. Remove the plastic panel that covers the 5 1/4" bay where you intend to install the DVD drive, then remove the metal breakaway panel behind that, if there is one.

   If the case uses direct screwing to the drive cage, proceed to Section 2.

   If the case uses a rail system for installation of 5 1/4" drives, skip to Section 3.

Direct Screw-on Installation

1. Remove both side panels from your computer case.

2. Slide the DVD drive into the open bay, lining its face up flush with the face of the other drive if there is one, or the face of the case if there is not.

3. Secure the DVD drive in place, setting the screws only to hand tight. Use four screws, two in front and two in back.

   Skip to Section 4

Rail-based Installation

1. Remove the main side panel from your computer case.

2. Attach the rails slightly less than hand tight to the drive.

3. Push the drive all the way into the bay by the rails until they both click into place. Adjust the drive until it is flush with the case or the other drive.

4. Carefully remove the drive by the rails until the first screws are accessible. Tighten them hand tight.

5. Pull the drive out the rest of the way and tighten the other two screws to hand tight. Reinsert the drive into the bay until the rails click into place.

Final Installation

1. Connect the SATA cable to the data cable connector on the drive, and the preferred SATA port on the motherboard.

2. Connect the appropriate power connector to the back of the SATA drive.

3. Reattach one or both side panels of the case.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish