How to Install a DVD Burner

Installing a DVD burner to replace an outdated one or old CD-ROM drive has never been easier. Even the most novice computer user can follow easy steps to install one. However, this guide is just a basic overview of the steps involved and may not work for all systems. Research how your system is set-up before you attempt to install any type of hardware in it. This guide will walk you through installing an IDE-based DVD burner.

Power down your computer and disconnect it from its surge protector. Make sure you have some form of static protection to keep you and your computer safe. This guide assumes you have the proper DVD burner for your computer to install.

If you have more than one CD or DVD drive, you want to determine what the new one will be. If it is a master drive, it will be hosted by a single IDE cable. If it the second drive, it is considered a slave depending on how your computer is originally set-up. If you are concerned about how it is set-up, refer to your hardware manual before continuing. Once you are ready to go, you need to securely plug in the IDE cable. If a second IDE cable is needed, you want to first route it through the motherboard before plugging it into the drive.

Once things are secured, you will want to slide the drive into its expansion bay slot in the tower. Once it is screwed in properly, you then want to connect the power cable into it. Once this is secured as well, you can close your tower and boot up your computer once more. The BIOS should recognize the new drive if it was installed properly, if not, you will want to power down and make sure all connections are properly aligned. If it still does not work upon reboot, you may have a faulty drive and be in need of a new one.

Remember, this is just a basic guide on how to install a DVD burner. Refer to your manual, computer specifications and the instructions that came with the burner for a more complete step-by-step of how to install a DVD burner on your computer.