How much would it cost to install a DVD drive?

Question

I am planning on purchasing a DVD drive for my computer from ebay. How much would it cost me to go into a shop and get it put in?

Also, I heard of a DVD drive that you can connect with a chord to your computer and you don't need anyone to install it, is this true? If so, how much are they?


Cheers

Answer 1

#1- Installing a dvd drive in your computer is so very simple I would never think to take it in to get done.
#2- yes you can get external drives, however they are a little more expensive and not necessary if you have an open bay on your tower.

Setting Jumpers

The mode select jumpers are six straight angle pins located on the rear of the drive. By placing a jumper on the pins, you can select the following functions:
CS: - Drive is configured using host interface signal CSEL
SL: - Configures drive as Slave
MA: - Configures drive as Master (factory default mode most time)
In most installations, jumper should remain in MA position. It is recommended that you install your CD/DVD/CDRW drive only on the secondary IDE BUS using its own IDE cable. If you are installing on primary IDE BUS, your hard drive would then be the Master, and you should set your CD/DVD/CDRW as Slave (SL). In this latter situation, the CD/DVD/CDR drive has to share the IDE cable with the hard drive, which may slow down the hard drive.

Placing the CD/DVD/CDRW drive inside your computer.

Disconnect power from your computer system before installation.
Remove computer cover and faceplate if required. Refer to your computer system's manual for removal information. If a DVD-ROM is replacing a CD-ROM, remove CD-ROM presently installed in your system.
The new CD/DVD/CDRW-ROM drive can be placed in any free half-height drive, 5.25" slot at the front of your computer. Make sure your IDE BUS ribbon cable is long enough to reach the drive.
Carefully slide the drive into the opening with the disc tray facing the front of the computer. Tighten the drive to the metal frame. Or consult your case manual for details on how to mount 5.25" drives.
Note: For some computer cases, you may need to remove a floppy drive to install a CD/DVD/CDRW drive.

Connecting cables

IDE BUS Interface Data Cable (normally not supplied with CD/DVD/CDRW-ROM drives). This is the cable that transmits data between your drive and computer. Your computer system should have a primary and secondary IDE BUS, with your hard drive most likely being the Master on the Primary BUS. Connect BUS cable to the drive, assuring that pin 1 of cable (side with red stripe or line) is connected to pin 1 of CD/DVD/CDRW interface connector, which is most often close to the power connection.
If the drive is set to Slave mode, you must use the connector in the middle of the IDE cable. Use the connector at the end of the cable if the drive is set to Master mode.
The other end of the IDE cable connects to the system's IDE controller, most often, on your motherboard. Again, align the colored edge of the IDE cable to Pin 1 of the BUS connector.
DC Power Cable - Connect an internal computer DC power supply cable to the power socket at the back of the CD/DVD/CDRW drive. This cable supplies DC voltage from the power supply to the drive. One side of the plug has chamfered edges, so the power connector fits only one way. Push plug completely into the socket making sure the plug fits correctly.

Analog Audio Cable -

If you have a sound card and speakers and would like to play audio CDs on your computer, you will need to get an audio/sound cable. The audio cable connects to your sound card at one end and the other end connects to the digital audio connector at the rear of the CD/DVD/CDRW drive. Refer to the instructions which came with your sound card for details on any sound-driver software requirement. Or consult the sound card section of Directron.com.
Digital Audio Connector - This is often included in DVD's for high-quality digital audio.
Reassembling the computer
Put the computer's cover back on. Screw and tighten the case cover. Note: Do not leave any loose screws inside your computer.
Reconnect any external cables disconnected earlier.

Software driver

Most CD/DVD/CDRW-ROM drives are "plug n' play" as a CD-ROM drive to read data from CD's. In Windows, when you apply power to your computer and boot-up, the system will recognize new hardware, and begin installing Window's ATAPI driver. If you prefer using DOS, you can download an ATAPI driver from the Internet.
To use your CD/DVD/CDRW-ROM drive for other applications such as listening to music, watching DVD or LCD movies, and writing data onto blank CDRW CDs, you must use special software just designed for these applications. DVD drives need either a hardware or a software decoder to play DVD CD's. Consult the manual for the installation and usage of such applications.
A little research can save you some $$ :) Most hardware installation is really simple and there is no reason an average person cant do it them selves. Good luck and enjoy your new drive :)

Answer 2

You can get plenty of help in here on how to install a drive.....should take you a total of 10 minutes

If you're in the US, you can also usually find a good deal on dvd burners at bestbuy or circuit city. I got a samsung 16x burner for $35 at bestbuy a couple months ago....check the weekly ads. Comes with a pretty no-hassle warranty in case it's a dud

After you get your drive ask a quick question here and someone will guide you through installation.

Answer 3

If you go to a shop, it will cost $100 and up including parts and labor. You can get and external dvd drive for about $60 and plug it in, and install the software and you'll be good to go.

Answer 4

If you want only DVD reader which can write CD & called
Combodrive it will cost you 25$ or Rs 1250
DVD writter 35 to 38 $ Rs 1600 to 1700 with dual layer burning capacity.

Answer 5

35 to 100$ or 1250 1800 rs for dvd writer

Answer 6

If you want I can tell you exactly how to install a DVD drive --- I used to work for Compaq Computers as a Config Tech. They are easy.