want to install a DVD drive

**Hooahguy** · 12-02-2010, 00:00

I want to install a DVD drive on my older computer so I can play DVDs on it. How do I do that? Ive looked on the web but all I found was stuff from the 90's which Im not even sure is applicable to a computer built in 2005.

**Tellos Athenaios** · 12-02-2010, 00:14

Simple: follow the manual.

If it is an internal DVD drive it will probably require a spare SATA & power cable, but those are identical to harddrive ones. So in that case you'll have to take a look inside, find the SATA ports on your motherboard and evaluate how the power is wired (for instance if you have a single spare 4 pin molex connector the most elegant power solution is a molex -> sata power adapter). In this case (internal DVD drive) you will also want to make sure the tray can actually open & close properly (i.e. no use positioning it right behind a solid sheet of plastic/metal), this will depend on your PC case (might have to swap out a CD drive or cut an additional hole if you're really good with this sort of thing).

**Hooahguy** · 12-02-2010, 00:53

But how do I shop for one? Do I just randomly pick one out?

**pevergreen** · 12-02-2010, 02:34

Depending on how old your computer is, it could be using IDE.

Regardless, DVD/CD drives are really just the same. Buy any one you want.

**Tellos Athenaios** · 12-02-2010, 02:45

Well you check which size you'll need, 3.5in or 5.25in (height) ? Other than that it's just specs & noise.

**Hooahguy** · 12-02-2010, 03:14

I just checked, I have IDE (big think grey cable-ish thing), so Ill find a good one. Thanks for the help.

I bought this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-201-_-Product

**pevergreen** · 12-02-2010, 04:13

Yeah, that'll do.

**Xiahou** · 12-03-2010, 21:39

Originally Posted by Hooahguy

I bought this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-201-_-Product

Umm, I realize this is a little late, but I probably would've gone with a DVD recorder. They only cost a couple of bucks more and give you the added functionality of being able to record DVDs.

Regardless, I think you'll find the installation to be pretty simple once you have the drive.