How To Upgrade To DVD

If you're thinking about upgrading an aging CD-ROM drive, be sure to replace it with a DVD-ROM or DVD-RAM kit. These drives play all previous CD formats as well as the new DVD movie, game, and edutainment titles. Though more expensive, a DVD-RAM drive also serves as a removable-storage drive (for backups and the like) with a generous 4.6GB of (formatted) capacity per cartridge. And the newest 2X DVD drives can move data at up to 2.6 MBps, which is equivalent to the speed of a 16X CD-ROM drive.

For the full DVD movie effect, get a sound system that accepts digital audio input and can process Dolby Digital surround sound (also known as 5.1-channel sound).

Here we have some simplfied procedures of how to install a new DVD drive to your computer:

dvd1.jpg (25653 ????) Step 1
Before you start: Ground yourself. Lightly touch your PC's metal chassis to discharge any current from your body. Then unplug the power cable.

What you'll need: A phillips-head screwdriver, needlenose pliers, and antistatic wrist strap.

Turn off the computer and open the case. Locate an available PCI slot for the MPEG-2 decoder card (if your kit includes one). If you're installing a SCSI drive and you don't yet have a SCSI controller in the system, you'll need a second slot for the SCSI card.

dvd2.jpg (23805 ????)  

Step 2
Remove the end bracket for the selected slot, insert the card, and secure the card's own end bracket.

dvd3.jpg (22753 ????) Step 3
Locate an available 5.25-inch drive bay that opens onto the front of the case. Remove the bay cover if necessary.
dvd4.jpg (21141 ????) Step 4
Configure the jumpers on your DVD drive. For an IDE drive, set the jumpers for either master, slave, or sole drive, depending on what else is on the channel. For a SCSI drive, set the jumpers to the correct ID or termination setting.
dvd5.jpg (21364 ????) Step 5
Secure the drive in the bay.
dvd6.jpg (30916 ????) Step 6
Attach the cables. Connect the DVD drive to the IDE or SCSI bus and to the power supply. Also connect the DVD drive to your sound card - or connect the decoder card (if included) to the DVD drive and sound card. (If you already have a CD-ROM drive, you can use a micro stereo patch cord to connect the external headphone jack on the DVD drive to your sound card's line-in jack).
dvd7.jpg (23968 ????) Step 7
Close the case, turn on the power, and install any necessary drivers or software.

Source: PC Magazine