How do install a dvd re writer?
Answer:
If its an internal drive, you need to power it, then you need an ATA ribbon cable both of which you most probably have already inside your PC. You also need software to burn your DVDs, Roxio or Nero are popular.
All you need is a standard IDE Cable, a free power connection from your power supply and that's it. You don't need to connect an audio cable as the IDE cable will carry the sound and this leaves the sound point free for something else.
If you already have a CD or DVD drive, chances are the cable that connects that to the mother board will have a second plug on it to control your new drive also. You will also need a free power plug within the PC, which is the same type as in any hard drive or CD drive you have now.
If this will be your only CD/DVD drive, set the jumper to master. If its a secondary one, set it to slave.
Slot it in a free drive bay on the PC case, secure it with small screws that probably come with it, plug in all the cables, and away you go.
Should just need a 40/80 wire parallel IDE cable, although if its really new and expensive it might need a S(erial)ATA cable. Most boxed, ie non-oem, drives should come with the right cable in the box, just make sure you have the right connector inside your computer to plug it in to!
Typically it should come with an IDE cable, if not you may have a spare IDE connector in your machine. If the drive is in addition to another, then find the cable attached to your existing cd/dvd drive. It is already plugged into the board, but has another IDE connector about half way up the wire, plug this into your new drive.
If its your only drive, then put the IDE cable into the mainboard, you'll see 2 or more IDE points, one is blue and typically used for hard drives, the others are white/grey. It doesnt matter which you use. Then connect the other end, not the middle one, to the drive.
You need to connect it to a 4x1pin power cable from your Power Supply Unit which is in the top rear of your machine.
And if you want to be able to hear audio from cds you play direct from the drive you need a 2x1pin sound cable to connect. This differs board to board, so read your motherboard manual. I dont think this is the case for dvds, as they use software decoders for the sound.
Presumably you know how to connect the cable! In actual fact if you have windows XP no drivers are required unless it is a lightscribe or blue laser. Just plug it in and windows XP will recognise it and it will work
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