Tech Guide: How to install a DVD or CD burner

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Step 1: Check your system requirements Step 2: Document cable connections Step 3: Set drive jumpers Step 4: Install the drive in a bay

Step 5: Attach the interface cable Step 6: Attach the power cable Step 7: Attach the audio cable Step 8: Boot your system

Step 9: Configure Windows' settings Step 10: Install software The right connections Drive directions

Step 3: Set drive jumpers

Resetting a drive's jumper is a simple matter of removing a plastic tab and sliding it onto a different set of posts.

Before you set your new drive's master/slave jumper, check the setting on the drive that's already in your system to see whether it's set to "cable select" (CSEL or CS). With cable select, the ATA ribbon-cable connector determines whether the drive operates as master or slave. This makes it possible to install and rearrange drives without having to change master/slave settings, but there's a catch: You have to set the jumper on both drives on the channel to CSEL for cable select to work, and the ribbon cable must support CSEL. You may need to check your PC's documentation to determine if its cables support cable select.

The other, more reliable, alternative is to set one drive's jumper to master and the other's to slave. You'll have to remove the existing drive to check, and possibly change, its jumper setting, but the master/slave arrangement is a foolproof approach. The drive in our Dell system was set to cable select, while our iBuyPower system used master/slave settings. In both cases, we set the jumpers to master/slave.

Tip:
Most drives provide an explanation of their jumper settings on the drive itself, either on a label or on the metal chassis.

Step 4: Install the drive in a bay

In most systems, you can slide your new drive through the front panel. If you've never used the bay, you'll have to remove the panel covering it.

Take a few moments to consider drive placement before installation. Moving the old drive down a bay may make it easier to attach the correct connectors to the two drives.

Refer to your system's documentation if you have any doubt about how to install the new drive into a bay. If you'll be using a drive bay for the first time, you may have to remove panels on and behind the case's front face (the level of difficulty of this task depends on your case design). Most drives secure into a bay using four screws. In some PCs, the drive fits into a cage that you can slide out of the bay by pressing in tabs. In both of our test systems, the drives attached to metal cages via four screws. If possible, use the screws provided with your drive. You may have to remove both side panels to attach all of the screws.

Tip:
If your PC's chassis makes it difficult to connect cables once a drive is secured in a bay, perform step 5 through step 7 before installing the drive or with the drive only partially inserted into the bay.

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as i do not know much about co ...Anonymous -- 02/01/05

as i do not know much about computers i need to know which driver to set to master and which to set as slave. i have a combo drive in all ready which allows me to burn and play cd and play dvd's. if this drive does not use the audio cable does this mean my computer has a digital sound reader so i dont have to connect the audio cable on the dvd burner i am about to install. if i could have someone reply to my questions i would be very greatful

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Why wont my new dvd/cd rewriter burn dvds? Annemarie Williamson -- 11/08/05

I have just installed a new LG 16x Super Muti DVD/CD Rewriter. I have followed the instructions to the letter that your wedsite has given me and the device will only burn cds. What if anything can I do?

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A DVD-R? MovieGuy -- 12/08/05 (in reply to #120120063)

Can it definitely write DVDs? Some combo drives described as DVD/CD-RW are designed to READ DVDs only and WRITE CDs. Have a look and see if it says DVD-R.

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thank you Anonymous -- 22/05/09

Thank you for taking the time to write this information. It helped me and I am grateful.
Byeeee

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