My internal CD Rom drive doesn't work. Sometimes the door won't open, but when it does and I insert a CD, I keep getting messages that there is no CD in the drive. Other times it just doesn't recognize the drive at all. I am a NOVICE, and a poor one at that. I would love to either: replace the CD rom drive if it is easy enough, or get an external CD rom drive, but don't know if it would be recognized. I have a Dell Dimension 2400.
2006-12-27 05:20:20 · 6 answers · asked by Aineen 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Turn the computer off. Disconnect the plug entirely. Open the back of the case. Take a good look at where everything goes. The CD-Rom is held in by up to 4 screws, 2 on each side. those have to be removed. You also have to disconnect the IDE cable (the flat one), the power cable (the one with 4 wires - look at the plug itself, note that one side is curved - must match the recepticle on the CD-Rom) and the speaker cable - usually 2 thin wires leading to a plug that you have to squeeze to remove. Slide the old one out. Look on the back of it and see where the little jumper is. It could be a master (usually is), a slave or set to CD (Cable select). Set the jumber on the new one the exact same way. Slide the new one in. Put the screws back in. Now attach the cables - the red stripe on the IDE cable will be on the same side as the power cable.
Put it all back together, plug it in, enjoy.
2006-12-27 05:33:56 · answer #1 · answered by smgray99 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The CD Rom is real easy to take out and put a new one in.
You will first want to shut your PC down and remove the power cord from the PC so as to be sure the power is completely gone.
Remove the case
You will probably notice there are 3 cables connected to the CD ROM.
1 is the ribbon looking cable that is the ide cable, (I would doubt that you have anything other than a IDE cable) Note that the IDE cable has a marking on the edge of the cable usually a red line, or red dotted line or something that shows that is the number 1 ribbon. This should be the one closest to the red cable of the power cord.
The 2nd cord is your power cord, it will have a red colored wire, and 3 other wires. The red wire will be closest to the ribbon number 1 wire of the IDE cable.
The last cable you may not have, but most likely will, it is a very small cable wire that connects sound to your motherboard from the CD ROM.
Once you unplug those 3 cables, there will be some screws holding the CD ROM in place, take those out and the CD ROM will slide out the front.
Replace with new CD ROM and do the directions backwards from above, or follow the new CD ROM instructions if it came with some.
Walla you just installed a new CD ROM drive and saved yourself 50 bucks installation fees.
P.S for anybody who is afraid of opening a computer case, I suggest they find some old computer for a 100 bucks or if they have a old one sitting around that they do not depend on, take it apart some time, note how you did it, it is amazing how simple computers are. The more you open a computer and get used to the inner workings the more comfortable you will feel. It can save you major money by upgrading your own computer, and building a new one rather than buying one already together.
2006-12-27 05:34:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Problems reading and writing CDs are common. In many cases, the problem cn be solved by checking the PC with free software, hardware modifications and cleaning the CD drive. I found the information at http://fixit.in/cdrdrive.html useful.
2006-12-29 00:10:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you could examine for one on Ebay, theres constantly workstation areas up on the industry on there. in straightforward terms ingredient i will declare is an exterior force is good because of the fact once you do away with the workstation or replace it interior the destiny with yet another one, you're able to use an exterior force. All you ought to do is plug it in. however the shy away is the area.
2016-11-23 19:49:32 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here is a link to a very good article on replacing hard drives and cdrom drives.
http://support.intergraph.com/itservices/sysdocs/hardware/dha020860.pdf
2006-12-27 05:27:00 · answer #5 · answered by matkay521225 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
an internal would be cheaper ... just unscrew or unclip the old one and unplug it and put the new one in ...its pretty simple ...
2006-12-27 05:23:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋