want to install a DVD drive

[Hooahguy]

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]

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]

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

[pevergreen]

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]

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

[Hooahguy]

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]

Yeah, that'll do.

[Xiahou]

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.

[Hooahguy]

Could I reuse the IDE cable from the old cd-rom drive or do I need a new one? Also, anything else I need to buy?

[Tellos Athenaios]

You should be able to re-use both IDE and power cable from the old CD drive.

[Hooahguy]

Yea, thanks. A minute ago I opened up my CPU and discovered that I could do that. *slaps himself for not doing that before.*

Thanks anyways. At least now I know I dont have to waste money on a new IDE cable.

Also, could I completely remove the old cd drive or do I still need it as a backup or something?

[Tellos Athenaios]

The DVD drive ought to read CD's fine, so after you've successfully installed the DVD drive there should be no need to keep the CD drive. According to the feedback page on the newegg site the drive you bought didn't bundle screws, so you will probably want to re-use those screws from your CD drive.

[Hooahguy]

The DVD drive came in the mail today. I had no problems installing it, and it works like a charm. Thanks for the help!