A lot of PC users seem to be afraid to open their 'box of magic' and do a spot of self repair/upgrade.  A PC is a lot simpler than u might imagine and just takes a bit of bravery to take a stab.  Changing a CD/DVD drive is in my opinion easier than wiring a 3 pin domestic household plug! And bear in mind i'm an electrician!

Heres a quick guide:

Note : SWITCH OFF POWER AND UNPLUG MAINS LEAD FIRST!!!!

1. Remove the side panel from your pc. (one side panel is often designed to come off easily by having a couple of knurled screws holding it in at the rear)

2. Identify which drive you wish to replace (or you could add a 2nd drive where there is just a drive shaped blank if u wish, the ribbon cables etc are usually there ready for this!)

3. Remove the screw which secures the drive to its cage.

4. You will notice that the rear of the drive has a ribbon cable plug and a power cable plug connected to it. (the ribbon is the flat one of course!) Unplug the power plug first and then the ribbon plug.

5. Now this is the bit that DIYers often miss out which prevents the drive working.......LOOK at the rear of the drive where the sockets are, you will see a bit that has a little link in it called the Master/Slave link. This is usually marked appropriately or maybe just M/S. Make sure the new drive you are installing has the link in the same position.  For example if the old drive had the link in the master postion so should the new one. (if you are replacing the PCs only drive then the link is probably in the master position.  However if you are installing a second drive and the ribbon and power cables appear to also be connected to the old drive you should almost certainly place the link in the slave position. The reason for tthis link is that (as u may notice) Pc manufacturers often deisgn the system whereby two drives share the same ribbon/power cables in series so the pc needs to know which one to give priority to ( hence master/slave).

6. Now you are nearly done! Just reconnect the new drive by using the same method in reverse. You cant go wrong.....just plug in the ribbon and power cables...replace the screw that secures the drive to the cage and replace you side panel.    WELL DONE!!!!

Tigrasteve!!!!

7. Now just switch your PC back on and Hey Presto! you have a functioning drive!!! (most hardware is 'plug and play' nowadays so your pc should recognise the drive and reconfigure itself accordingly!