As part of this review, an algorithm will be described on how to connect the drive to the motherboard. In addition to this, a list of the necessary tools for its implementation will be indicated. A list of communication interfaces that can be used in the implementation of this operation will also be provided. This material is of most interest to beginner computer professionals who want to independently install, connect, and configure a CD reader.
General procedure
The general algorithm of actions that allows you to connect the drive to the motherboard consists of the following main steps:
- Studying documentation on a PC. Choosing the right accessories.
- Dismantling the system unit of a personal computer in the on state.
- Preparing the installation location of the drive. Its installation.
- The implementation of switching in full.
- PC case assembly.
- The inclusion of a computing system. Her setting.
Interface Types
Before connecting the drive to the motherboard, we will deal with those ports that can be used for these purposes.
On older versions of computers, the IDE port is used. It has 80 pins. This interface is used to connect between the system board and the drive. The second option that is already found on modern PCs is the SATA connector. With its help, the motherboard and the device for reading or burning CDs are also switched.
Also, in all cases, you need to connect the connector from the power supply. Without it, such a device would not be able to function.
What do you need?
At the first of this operation, you need to find out which motherboard is on the computer. There are three ways to refine this information. One of them is the study of computer documentation. If for some reason it has not been preserved, then you can disassemble the case and see the markings on the board. Then download the documentation from the global web. Another method is based on the use of diagnostic programs. The most important information in this case is the type of ports for connecting to drives and drives. As previously noted, either SATA ports or IDE connectors are used for these purposes. It is based on the type of interface used and you need to choose such a device. And so the answer to a question like “what is my motherboard” is installed on the PC, it’s really important to know.
When disassembling the PC and mounting the drive, you need a set of screwdrivers. An interface cord is also required at this stage. Moreover, in the case of an old PC, an IDE cable is needed. If you plan to install the drive in a new system unit, you already need a SATA wire.
In addition, you need to pay attention to the power supply. It should have a free connector. And one that would be suitable for switching the drive.
PC case analysis. First step
Before connecting the drive to the motherboard, it is necessary to disassemble the system unit case in the off state. To do this, turn off the power cord. Next, unscrew the screws on the back of the case, which fix the side walls. Then the latter are pushed back and dismantled. And on both sides.
After that, it is recommended to dry clean the PC case. No matter how much it was in operation, the dust inside it still collects. Therefore, its removal from the internal parts of the PC is a prerequisite for its long and reliable operation.
Drive mounting
Before connecting the drive to the motherboard, you must install it in the system unit. To do this, the slot inside the system unit in the 5.25 ”form factor into which the installation will be carried out. Again, in this case, two points must be taken into account. The first of them boils down to ensuring that, after installation, the drive does not restrict access to other elements of the computing system, for example, a video card or RAM. The second condition is the ability to output to the front panel of the case.
As soon as the necessary slot for the installation is selected, carefully dismantle its front cover. Then through the front panel we install a reader or a disc burner. Next, fix the device using screws. Four such fasteners are recommended. This eliminates the possibility of vibration during use of the drive.
Drive commutation
The next important step is to connect a reader or burn optical discs.
It is necessary to take into account one feature of the organization of obsolete disk systems based on the IDE interface. On one loop there can be up to two drives. One of them works in Master mode, and the second - Slave. If two such devices are located on one loop, then we specify the settings of the previously connected drive. It usually functions as a master. Then the second, using jumpers, is transferred to Slave mode or vice versa.
Next, using the SATA wire (in new computers) or an IDE cable (in older PC versions) we connect the system board and the optical drive. Again, the type of connection, as previously noted, is determined using documentation from the Internet. That is, we use the appropriate cable to connect the drive to the motherboard.
Then the connector from the power supply is also switched with a plug-in drive.
When switching, there is no need to use force. That is, all connectors should be easily installed in the connection jacks. Therefore, we pay attention to the form of both the first and second. Each of them has a special “key”. When switching, their location must coincide. This is to protect equipment from incorrect commutation. Due to this, the connector of the power cable or interface cord should easily enter the socket of the optical drive. So in no case do not apply significant efforts that could damage one of the components of a personal computer.
Body assembly
Next, we check once again the correct installation and switching of the optical drive. After that, we install the side covers of the system unit case. You can not confuse them in this case. One of them has holes, and it is installed on the side of the processor fan, and in the second - no, and it is mounted on the side of the system board. Further, these metal covers are fixed with screws. The PC case is installed in the place of constant operation and the corresponding cable is connected to its power connector.
Inclusion and setup
At the final stage, it is recommended to check the operability of the optical drive. To do this, turn on the personal computer. After that, you must wait until the end of its download. At the same time, a message appears stating that new equipment has been found, and it will be automatically configured. That is, the necessary drivers will be installed. At the end of this stage, it is recommended to install a disk in the drive and make sure that information is read from it, for example, a multimedia file will be played.
Conclusion
As part of this material, the general procedure for how to connect the drive to the motherboard is described. Also given recommendations on how to choose the right optical drive for various modifications of personal computers. There is certainly nothing really complicated in this operation. Therefore, a beginner computer specialist with a basic level of knowledge can certainly cope with it. Well, professionals should not have any problems with its implementation.
The only important nuance is that such devices gradually go out of use. They are replaced by various flash drives. They have a higher speed and ease of use an order of magnitude lower, and the cost is democratic. Therefore, the future of optical drives is already predetermined and they are outdated. As a result, such a drive is not always found on modern computers.
There are also some ways to find out which motherboard is on the computer. Without this, when buying a computer element such as an optical drive, you just can not do.