Replacing DVD ROM Drive

**marley07712** · 03-03-2006, 09:36 AM

My DVD rom drive is shot. I bought a new DVD writer and would like to install it myself. The old drive is probably 4 years old.

After doing alot of reading I'm wondering if I can simply swap the two which I originally thought would be easy). I've seen a lot about using an 80 point vs. 40 point pin -- I don't know what the current drive has (the new one has no cables).

I'm not great with this stuff but was able to install a new hard drive last summer and i figure this should be easier. But I've also read that a lot of people seem to have boot up problems after installing a new drive so I'm a little nervous.

Any advice/tips would be appreciated.

ebackhus · 03-03-2006, 10:18 AM

Popping in a new optical drive is quite simple. As far as 80 vs 40-pin cables go you needn't worry.

Check the jumpers on the new drive and set it as the dead drive is set. If the drive is the only drive on that cable you can use Master or Cable Select. The same goes if it's the drive at the furthest end of the cable. If it's the 2nd drive then you'll need to set for Slave or Cable Select.

**marley07712** · 03-03-2006, 10:58 AM

Thanks. I appreciate the response -- I'll give it a shot over the weekend.

03-03-2006, 09:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
marley07712 I helped the forums. Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 169 OS: XP	Replacing DVD ROM Drive My DVD rom drive is shot. I bought a new DVD writer and would like to install it myself. The old drive is probably 4 years old. After doing alot of reading I'm wondering if I can simply swap the two which I originally thought would be easy). I've seen a lot about using an 80 point vs. 40 point pin -- I don't know what the current drive has (the new one has no cables). I'm not great with this stuff but was able to install a new hard drive last summer and i figure this should be easier. But I've also read that a lot of people seem to have boot up problems after installing a new drive so I'm a little nervous. Any advice/tips would be appreciated. Last edited by marley07712; 03-03-2006 at 09:38 AM.

03-03-2006, 10:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,284 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Popping in a new optical drive is quite simple. As far as 80 vs 40-pin cables go you needn't worry. Check the jumpers on the new drive and set it as the dead drive is set. If the drive is the only drive on that cable you can use Master or Cable Select. The same goes if it's the drive at the furthest end of the cable. If it's the 2nd drive then you'll need to set for Slave or Cable Select. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

03-03-2006, 10:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
marley07712 I helped the forums. Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 169 OS: XP	Thanks. I appreciate the response -- I'll give it a shot over the weekend.