DVD drive installation

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jo-Anne Naples
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Jo-Anne Naples

I've decided to replace my nonwritable DVD drive with a writable one in my
5-year-old Dell Dimension 8250 desktop computer (running Windows XP Home and
SP3). Is this something a complete novice can tackle, or should it be done
in a shop? My local shop says it would cost $49 for the drive and $75 to
install it--and it would come with software for burning discs. (I didn't
know burning discs required extra software. For my CD drive I use either
drag and drop or the ancient Easy CD Creator that came with my computer.)

Thanks much for your help!

Jo-Anne
 
Jo-Anne Naples said:
I've decided to replace my nonwritable DVD drive with a writable one in my
5-year-old Dell Dimension 8250 desktop computer (running Windows XP Home and
SP3). Is this something a complete novice can tackle, or should it be done
in a shop? My local shop says it would cost $49 for the drive and $75 to
install it--and it would come with software for burning discs. (I didn't
know burning discs required extra software. For my CD drive I use either
drag and drop or the ancient Easy CD Creator that came with my computer.)

Thanks much for your help!

Jo-Anne
Click to expand...
I personally think a novice can do it.
You do have to open the case, and you do have to stick you hands in the
PC and you can screw up cables. But if you are not a bull in a china
shop, you can do it.

You have a ribbon cable on the back and a power plug and possibly an
audio cable, and its mounted with 4 screws. The ribbon cable has a red
stripe on one edge. Note that.

You unhook the 2-3 cables and unscrew the 4 (possibly) screws that hold
the drive in and it slides out the front.
Sometimes the cables are long enough to drag them out with the drive and
you can disconnect them when it comes out, but that is a bit rare.
You then look at the drive right beside where the ribbon cable was
plugged in. There is a set of jumpers (pins) that may have a little
plastic jumper on it. This determines the master/slave status of the
drive. You must match was the old one was set for. It should be
written on the top or bottom of both drives what the settings are. They
could be the same but each manufacturer has the right to move those pins
around to suit their needs. Set the new drive up the same.
Slide the new drive in, screw it in, put the cables back and close the
case. Power on and cross your fingers.

I've never blown a computer putting the cables on wrong. The power you
can't. On the ribbon cable, the red stripe is #1 connector, and that
should be labeled on the new drive if not etched on the printed circuit
board on the bottom.
Occasionally the audio connectors will be different. If you have one
and it is not the same connector you'll have to get one at a shop.
 
Jo-Anne Naples said:
I've decided to replace my nonwritable DVD drive with a writable one in my
5-year-old Dell Dimension 8250 desktop computer (running Windows XP Home and
SP3). Is this something a complete novice can tackle, or should it be done
in a shop? My local shop says it would cost $49 for the drive and $75 to
install it--and it would come with software for burning discs. (I didn't
know burning discs required extra software. For my CD drive I use either
drag and drop or the ancient Easy CD Creator that came with my computer.)

Thanks much for your help!

Jo-Anne
Click to expand...
That might be a bit short or lack a few details, but you may find some
directions using google. If you want just look with a flashlight
inside. If you have a crowded machine, and space is tight an you are
squeamish, 75 $ might not be a bad investment. But I don't know your
intuitive abilities and its hard to judge from this side of the screen.
 
Jo-Anne Naples said:
I've decided to replace my nonwritable DVD drive with a writable one in my
5-year-old Dell Dimension 8250 desktop computer (running Windows XP Home and
SP3). Is this something a complete novice can tackle, or should it be done
in a shop? My local shop says it would cost $49 for the drive and $75 to
install it--and it would come with software for burning discs. (I didn't
know burning discs required extra software. For my CD drive I use either
drag and drop or the ancient Easy CD Creator that came with my computer.)

Thanks much for your help!

Jo-Anne
Click to expand...
http://www.fonerbooks.com/r_cd.htm
Has some great shots of the back of the drive etc. Might help you
decide maybe.
 
Thank you for all the information, Al! I've printed off your instructions
and bookmarked the site below. Now I'll start looking for a drive...

Jo-Anne
 
Didn't you get a manual with your system? If not:
Go to Dell and get the users manual for your system.
There are explicit details and pictures.
Then you can decide if it looks too complicated for you.

mae

| Thank you for all the information, Al! I've printed off your instructions
| and bookmarked the site below. Now I'll start looking for a drive...
|
| Jo-Anne
|
| | > Jo-Anne Naples wrote:
| >> I've decided to replace my nonwritable DVD drive with a writable one in
| >> my 5-year-old Dell Dimension 8250 desktop computer (running Windows XP
| >> Home and SP3). Is this something a complete novice can tackle, or
should
| >> it be done in a shop? My local shop says it would cost $49 for the
drive
| >> and $75 to install it--and it would come with software for burning
discs.
| >> (I didn't know burning discs required extra software. For my CD drive I
| >> use either drag and drop or the ancient Easy CD Creator that came with
my
| >> computer.)
| >>
| >> Thanks much for your help!
| >>
| >> Jo-Anne
| > http://www.fonerbooks.com/r_cd.htm
| > Has some great shots of the back of the drive etc. Might help you
decide
| > maybe.
|
|
 
mae said:
Didn't you get a manual with your system? If not:
Go to Dell and get the users manual for your system.
There are explicit details and pictures.
Then you can decide if it looks too complicated for you.

mae
Click to expand...

CD/DVD replacement.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8250/replace.htm#1108113

Contents page for manual.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8250/index.htm

The case is one of those "hinged wonders", according to this.
Like something Apple would make. I much prefer the PC case
concept, with removable side panel. With the "hinged wonder"
concept, you have to be careful when closing them up, that no
cables get snagged or get crushed.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8250/techov.htm#1105366

Paul
 
Thank you, Mae. The Dell manual is a PDF file. It covers the addition of a
floppy drive, a hard drive, memory, and cards--but not CD/DVD drives.

However, Big Al provided a good written explanation and a web address that
has both written information and photos showing how to put in a new CD/DVD
drive. I'll see what I can do...

Jo-Anne
 
Thank you, Paul! This is what I thought I'd find in the PDF manual I
had--but I couldn't locate anything there. I've printed the page and
bookmarked it as well.

Jo-Anne
 
Jo-Anne Naples said:
I've decided to replace my nonwritable DVD drive with a writable one in my
5-year-old Dell Dimension 8250 desktop computer (running Windows XP Home
and SP3). Is this something a complete novice can tackle, or should it be
done in a shop? My local shop says it would cost $49 for the drive and $75
to install it--and it would come with software for burning discs. (I
didn't know burning discs required extra software. For my CD drive I use
either drag and drop or the ancient Easy CD Creator that came with my
computer.)

Thanks much for your help!

Jo-Anne
Click to expand...

You want to replace a DVD-ROM with a DVD-R/W. 5 year old PC is obviously
ide if you want it onboard the PC, not an external. You obviously have an
open bay when removing the DVD-ROM, that satisfies the physical bay
requirement. A 5 year old ide ribbon cable should be replaced while you got
the PC open. Use an 80 wire version ide ribbon cable. Be sure to jumper
the DVD-RW appropriately, master or slave before installing. Be careful not
to forceably attempt to plug in the molex 4 pin power connector upside-down.
If the Dell has any special adapter hardware for the open bay, be sure to
move that to your DVD-RW.

Buy a retail version of the DVD-RW that you want that comes with more
current version burning software. BE SURE to uninstall the Adaptec burning
software first. A retail version usually comes with installation directions
for its hardware. Some DVD-RW installation directions demand the master
setting for ide. In some cases, that's hogwash, slave may work as well.
 
Jo-Anne Naples said:
I've decided to replace my nonwritable DVD drive with a writable one in my
5-year-old Dell Dimension 8250 desktop computer (running Windows XP Home and
SP3). Is this something a complete novice can tackle, or should it be done
in a shop? My local shop says it would cost $49 for the drive and $75 to
install it--and it would come with software for burning discs. (I didn't
know burning discs required extra software. For my CD drive I use either
drag and drop or the ancient Easy CD Creator that came with my computer.)

Thanks much for your help!

Jo-Anne
Click to expand...
Hello,
No indication concerning the number of DVD drives installed.
The Dell site indicates that two can be installed internally.
If there is only one installed, you might consider keeping that one and
installing a second DVD drive either internally or externally.
If there is a spare USB port or a firewire port you might consider an
external dvd burner (higher cost). Usually a new burner "external or
internal" come with burning software. If the burner software is not to your
liking you can buy a different program or download free burner software such
as "Final Burner".
Two DVD drives gives the ability to burn disc to disc and other abilities.
take care.
beamish.
 
Thank you, Dave! I'm getting less and less confident about doing this on my
own. I suspect that I'm going to have the shop do it for me. Do you think I
should mention replacing the ribbon cable? Would this be something a shop
would likely do?

Thank you again!

Jo-Anne
 
Thank you, Beamish! As I posted to Dave, I'm getting less confident about
doing this myself. I hadn't thought, though, about getting an external
drive. (I do have two drives installed and was planning to replace one of
them.) That sure would e easier, wouldn't it?

Jo-Anne
 
Hello,
The unit is not an easy design. You have plenty of good solid information
from all the posters. Go step by step and use the diagrams (print out) on the
Dell site, mark each step as completed uninstalling and installing. Make sure
you check the back of the old drive and set up new drive the same way.
A external drive needs very little interaction. Comes with basic
instructions for a USB hardware install. Most times install the software and
at some point the software ask to have the USB device plugged in ( make sure
the device power is turned on before plugging into the USB port), not unlike
a USB printer.
Windows XP should recognize the drive and assign a letter.
take care.
beamish.
 
If you don't mention it and DEMAND it, they won't.

--
Dave
Jo-Anne Naples said:
Thank you, Dave! I'm getting less and less confident about doing this on
my own. I suspect that I'm going to have the shop do it for me. Do you
think I should mention replacing the ribbon cable? Would this be something
a shop would likely do?

Thank you again!

Jo-Anne
Click to expand...
 
| I've decided to replace my nonwritable DVD drive with a writable one in my
| 5-year-old Dell Dimension 8250 desktop computer (running Windows XP Home
and
| SP3). Is this something a complete novice can tackle, or should it be done
| in a shop? My local shop says it would cost $49 for the drive and $75 to
| install it--and it would come with software for burning discs. (I didn't
| know burning discs required extra software. For my CD drive I use either
| drag and drop or the ancient Easy CD Creator that came with my computer.)
|
| Thanks much for your help!
|
| Jo-Anne
|

I think you've been way over intimidated for this job.

I have several Dells with this style case and changing optical drives is
very simple. The case swings open with two buttons and has ample room for
working.

The drives aren't screwed into the case. They are on green plastic rails
that slide out with no tools.

Pull off the data cable and the power cable. (the power cable can be a tight
fit, a little gentle rocking back and forth may be required) Pinch the green
plastic rails toward each other and the drive slides right out.

The rails are fastened to the drive with four screws. Remove them from the
old drive and place them in the same position on the new drive. The holes
and screw size are standard.

Dells all come with their drives jumpered as "cable select" (which BTW
requires the correct type of data cable so don't change the cable there is
no reason to) Place the jumper on the new drive in the cable select
position. The new drive will have instructions for this. Here's a picture of
what one looks like
http://www.windowsdevcenter.com/pub/a/windows/2005/02/23/Build_Perfect_BudgetPC.html?page=4
It's a simple matter of moving that little plastic piece (yours will
probably be black not green) from one set of pins to the pair marked "CS."

Slide the new drive into the same spot the old one came out of and plug the
power and data cable back in. They are keyed and can't be plugged in the
wrong way.

Windows will see and configure the drive at next boot.

In order to write to DVDs you will need extra software. XP doesn't have any
native DVD writing capabilities. Virtually all name brand retail drives will
come with software.

If not Nero is a good commercial product to consider.

There are several very capable freeware DVD writing packages available.
http://www.deepburner.com/?r=products (has both free and paid versions)
http://www.cdburnerxp.se/
for example.

Review;
1.) Open case.
2.) Remove two cables and slide drive out.
3.) Move rails from one drive to another (four screws) Move jumper to "CS"
position.
4.) Slide new drive in and replace two cables.

Boot up and install the software for DVD writing.

Having done a few the physical exchange takes me about 5 minutes once the
computer is on the bench. Might take you half an hour.
 
Doug said:
Dells all come with their drives jumpered as "cable select" (which BTW
requires the correct type of data cable so don't change the cable there is
no reason to) Place the jumper on the new drive in the cable select
position.
Click to expand...

I just replaced a DVD RW drive myself. (Mine last 18-24 months on average
after which they start trashing disks instead of burning them.) The new
drive's jumper was in the "cable select" position. What exactly does that
mean?
 
|
| > Dells all come with their drives jumpered as "cable select" (which BTW
| > requires the correct type of data cable so don't change the cable there
is
| > no reason to) Place the jumper on the new drive in the cable select
| > position.
|
| I just replaced a DVD RW drive myself. (Mine last 18-24 months on average
| after which they start trashing disks instead of burning them.) The new
| drive's jumper was in the "cable select" position. What exactly does that
| mean?
|
| --
| Bob
| http://www.kanyak.com
|

Cable select is a method of using the drives position on the cable (end vs.
middle) to determine the drives master/slave status as opposed to having to
jumper one drive as master and one drive as slave.

http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/if/ide/confCS-c.html

D
 
Thank you, Doug! You make it sound much simpler. If I do it myself, is there
anything in particular I should look for in a DVD burner? Any brand that has
a particularly good reputation? Any online store that specializes in these
drives? (I saw a few of them on Amazon, but the prices were wildly divergent
and I had no idea where to start.)

Also, you said I'd need software to burn the DVDs. Two questions:

Does this mean that you can't use drag and drop for DVDs under Windows XP?
Or just that there's nothing more sophisticated than that in the OS?

The software that came with my Dell is the free Easy CD Creator 5 by Roxio.
When I click on "make a data CD," one of the options is "data DVD
project--use your DVD recordable drive to store up to 4.7GB of data." I
assume this software should be sufficient--right?

Thank you again!

Jo-Anne
 
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