installing new dvd drive tutorial?

Hi,

I'm (not)wanting to install a new dvd drive, what do I need to know?

I've got a Dell 2400 Dimension, I don't even know if I need an IDE or SATA drive. Is there a good site where they have a guide for all this kind of like when you buy new ram and it tells you what you have, what you need, etc?

For those that have done this, any tips?

Thanks a bunch,
j

Now that I think about it, that might be something that could be added to this site. Either MG branded how-to's, or have a section where users could upload videos with a rating system for who did the best job, etc.

 

There maybe a tutorial already but its easier for me to do it again than look for it.

Stick with IDE for your DVD drive and leave the sata for hard drives if your motherboard even has sata. All IDE Optical drives have jumpers in the back near the power connection and usually there is a legend on top the drive to tell you which pins to connect for what position the drive will occupy. The IDE ribbon itself is also position specifc and a master jumpered drive should be connected to the terminating end of the ribbon so a slaved drive would be connected in the middle. As long as you set your jumpers and IDE ribbon position correctly you shouldn't have any problems.

Master or master/alone jumpered put it on the end of the ribbon

Slave jumpered put it in the middle position on the IDE ribbon.

If only one position on the ribbon is open use the correct jumper for that position

If your pulling a drive and replacing it, just keep the same ide ribbon position and the correct corresponding jumper setting.

 

There's a guide at the Dell support page that outlines the procedure pretty thoroughly. Scroll down about halfway and you'll see it.... I hope this helps!

(replacing a CD/DVD drives is A LOT easier than many people think, so, don't worry. And Dell Dimension 2400s use IDE hard drives and CD/DVD drives)