Computer Hardware:
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• Anti-virus
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Common PC Problems:
• Slow Computer
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Miscellaneous:
• Windows Shortcuts
• Glossary of Terms
• HTML Colour Picker
• Number Base Converter
• Tools, Static & Cleaning
• Form Factor
• PC Case & Fans
• Motherboard
• Processor (CPU)
• Power Supply Unit
• RAM
• Hard Drive
• Solid State Drive
• Optical Drive
• Floppy Disk Drive
• Graphics Card
• Sound Card
• Network Card
• Computer Monitor
• Keyboard & Mouse
• Laptop / Netbook
• Building a Computer
• Overclocking
Operating System & Backup:
• Operating System
• Drivers
• Windows Tools
• User Accounts
• Backup
• Windows 10
Internet & Network:
• Internet
• Wi-fi or Cable
• Improve Broadband Speed
• Network Computers
Computer Peripherals:
• Printer
• Scanner
• External Hard Drive
• USB Flash Drive
Computer Security:
• Anti-virus
• Anti-Spyware
• Phishing
• Firewall
Common PC Problems:
• Slow Computer
• Hardware Failure
• Software Failure
• Printing Problems
Miscellaneous:
• Windows Shortcuts
• Glossary of Terms
• HTML Colour Picker
• Number Base Converter
Below are two procedures for upgrading your Optical Drive which includes an older IDE Optical Drive and the newer SATA Optical Drive.
IDE Optical Drive Upgrade:
The motherboard will have two IDE connectors (Primary and Secondary) and each connector can support up to two Drives allowing a total of four Drives to be connected. One Drive has to be set as 'Master' and the other as 'Slave' so that they can be identified. Each Drive has a Jumper Block and a diagram on the Drive telling you how to set the jumper to make it a 'Master' or 'Slave'.
It is a good idea to put your Optical Drive on the Secondary IDE connector so that it doesn't slow down your main Hard Drive which should be on the Primary IDE connector.
1. Back-up all of your important files.
2. Make sure the power is unplugged and press the power button to drain any power from the computer.
3. Follow anti-static procedures, and have your tools at hand. Open the computer case.
4. If you are replacing an old Optical Drive then first unplug the Optical Drive power cable and data cable. Unscrew the Optical Drive from the case which is usually held in place with four screws, and remove.
5. Your new IDE Optical Drive has a Jumper Block which allows you to set the Optical Drive up as a Master or Slave. There will be a diagram on the Drive which shows you where to position the jumper.
6. If you are using a new case then you may need to remove a blanking plate from the front of the 5.25 inch drive bay. Take your new Optical Drive and fix it to the 5.25 inch Drive Bay in your computer case making sure the front of the Optical Drive fits flush with the front of the computer case. Also make sure the power and data cables will reach okay. The Drive is usually held in with four screws.
7. Next, connect the IDE Data Cable, from the IDE connector on the motherboard to the data connector on the Optical Drive. This ribbon cable has two connectors at one end of the cable for the Drives (Master & Slave) and the connector at the other end plugs into the motherboard. There should be a red line along one side of the cable which has to line up with pin 1 on the Drive data connector and pin 1 on the motherboard's IDE connector.
8. Connect the Power connector from the Power Supply Unit to the Optical Drive which will only fit one way. Make sure the power and data cable are tidy and away from any fans, and close the computer case.
SATA Optical Drive Upgrade:
Fitting a SATA Optical Drive is much simpler than fitting an IDE Drive as you do not have to set any jumpers as each drive is connected to its own SATA connector on the motherboard. Also both the data and power cables will only fit one way.
In the photograph above, this particular motherboard has four blue SATA2 connectors which run at 3Gb/s and two faster white SATA3 connectors that run at 6Gb/s. As an Optical Drive does not need the faster speed of SATA3 then it would be best to use a blue SATA2 connector.
1. Follow the IDE Hard Drive procedure from steps 1 to 4.
2. If you are using a new case then you may need to remove a blanking plate from the front of the 5.25 inch drive bay. Take your new Optical Drive and fix it to the 5.25 inch Drive Bay in your computer case making sure the front of the Optical Drive fits flush with the front of the computer case. Also make sure the power and data cables will reach okay. The Drive is usually held in with four screws.
3. Next, connect your SATA Data Cable from the SATA connector on the motherboard to the data connector on the Optical Drive which will only fit one way.
4. Connect the Power connector from the Power Supply Unit to the Optical Drive which will only fit one way. Make sure the power and data cable are tidy and away from any fans, and close the computer case.
Once the Optical Drive has been fitted then connect the power, monitor, keyboard, and mouse cable to your computer and boot your computer up to the CMOS screen. Verify that the BIOS can see your new Optical Drive.
