How to Install a CD ROM or DVD Drive

Do you want to upgrade your CD or DVD drive, or install another one? This article will show you how to do that.

Steps

  1. Image titled Install a CD ROM or DVD Drive Step 1
    1
    Read the manual that came with your computer and be sure that you want to use the CD/DVD drive.
  2. Image titled Install a CD ROM or DVD Drive Step 2
    2
    Wear an anti-static wrist band or touch unpainted metal to discharge static electricity.
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  3. Image titled Install a CD ROM or DVD Drive Step 3
    3
    Turn off and unplug the computer.
  4. Image titled Install a CD ROM or DVD Drive Step 4
    4
    Open the computer case.
  5. Image titled Install a CD ROM or DVD Drive Step 5
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    Look for the existing CD/DVD drive and unplug the power and data cables.
  6. Image titled Install a CD ROM or DVD Drive Step 6
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    Remove the screws from the CD/DVD drive and then remove it from the chassis.
  7. Image titled Install a CD ROM or DVD Drive Step 7
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    If you want to install another optical drive, remove the drive bay cover.
  8. Image titled Install a CD ROM or DVD Drive Step 8
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    Adjust the jumpers on the back of the drive. Most drives use "Master" as the default setting.
    • If the CD/DVD drive will be an extra one, set the jumper setting to "Slave".
  9. Image titled Install a CD ROM or DVD Drive Step 9
    9
    Slide the CD/DVD drive into the drive bay on the computer.
  10. Image titled Install a CD ROM or DVD Drive Step 10
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    Move the cables back, but do not disconnect them.
  11. Image titled Install a CD ROM or DVD Drive Step 11
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    Connect the data and power cables to the CD/DVD drive.
    • For IDE drives, align pin 1 (the red edge) to the connector on the CD/DVD drive. Then connect the 4-pin power connector to the drive.
    • For SATA drives, align the notch to the connector on the drive. Then connect the SATA power connector (the long one) to the drive.
    • If there is little space, connect the cable before fully securing the drive into the bay.
  12. Image titled Install a CD ROM or DVD Drive Step 12
    12
    Connect the audio cable to the drive.
    • It runs from the drive's audio-out pins to the CD-IN connector on your sound card.
  13. Image titled Install a CD ROM or DVD Drive Step 13
    13
    Close the computer case.
  14. Image titled Install a CD ROM or DVD Drive Step 14
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    Turn on the computer. Your computer's BIOS should recognize the new CD/DVD drive.
    • Windows will install the drivers required for the operation of the new CD/DVD drive.
    • Open My Computer and you will see the drive.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    I am trying to install a library cd-rom for research. Two days ago I returned my ASUS laptop to factory settings, but kept all the files. Now the computer will not even register that I have put the disc in. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Reset the BIOS to default, then reboot. It's a common problem, that should fix it.
  • Question
    How do I play a CD in it after it's installed?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Assuming the installation went well, it's very simple. Open the drive, put the CD in the drive, close the drive, and play the CD with the media player application of your choice.
  • Question
    Why won't my computer detect the CD drive?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It could be a number of things, but some steps to try are rebooting your system fully (as in a full shutdown and then back on) and checking your cables.
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About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 18 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 253,407 times.
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Co-authors: 18
Updated: July 6, 2021
Views: 253,407
Categories: CDs and DVDs
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