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General discussion

DVD Drive

Feb 3, 2004 1:32AM PST

Hi-Newbie here-
I just added memory to my PC and am getting ready to replace my CD drive with a DVD drive. I am nervous!

Any advice or potential problems to lookout for?

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Darla

Discussion is locked

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Re:DVD Drive = Usually painless.
Feb 3, 2004 2:06AM PST

Here's a short list.

1. Power down. Some didn't!
2. Follow the directions. Maybe read them before starting the install.
3. After the CDROM is out, see what setting the Master, Slave or Cable Select is set to. Could be marked as MA, SL and CS.
4. Set the DVD drive to what the CDROM was.
5. Install the DVD drive in the same slot and connections.

Install the DVD player software and it should just work.

BEWARE that DVD playback can require some 500 and up MHz CPU and that your machine be in great shape with no clogged or failed FANS and the video and audio drivers are up to date for the OS in question. The Microsoft "Driver Update" button can't be used for driver updates since it's just a demo.

Bob

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Re:Re:DVD Drive = Usually painless.
Feb 3, 2004 2:27AM PST

Hopefully since I added 512MB RAM and I have a Pentium 4 with 1.5GHz - I won't have any problems there. I was going to add the drive when I had the machine open but I thought it would be better to ensure that the memory 'took' before I installed the drive and had potential problems. Question - Would XP automatically update the drivers with the updates it notifies me of?
If not how would I do that. Also - how do I set the jumpers if they need to be changed? I can't find clear directions on anything?

Thank you,

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Re:Re:Re:DVD Drive = Usually painless.
Feb 3, 2004 2:34AM PST

1. Question - Would XP automatically update the drivers with the updates it notifies me of?

Microsoft does not do "drivers." Their drivers are generic, what works well enough to get the OS installed and not much better.


2. "If not how would I do that."

The old fashioned way. You go to the web site of the maker of the video card, download and install the drivers that are latest or fit your OS.

3. "Also - how do I set the jumpers if they need to be changed? I can't find clear directions on anything?"

Such come with the drive. I can find CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS all over the web. But I use GOOGLE and type in such words as CDROM JUMPERS (just two words...) and I see pictures if I click on Google's Images tab.

Where are you looking for such?

Bob

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Re:Re:Re:Re:DVD Drive = Usually painless.
Feb 3, 2004 4:01AM PST

I apologize for my questions - this is my first attempt at upgrading my computer and I am in the learning process.

I was looking in the instruction manual that came with the drive and also my computer manual.

The instruction sheet says to avoid touching the pins directly and when I look at the jumpers -it appears as though they have a piece of plastic on them that I need to move and I wondered how to move it without touching?!