The market was filled with netbooks - devices that fundamentally do not provide a CD or DVD drive. Even Apple is ditching these bulky and outdated devices, but at least the company is using a USB flash drive to reinstall the system or run utility utilities. A ordinary users get a non-book with an already installed system.
All installation instructions or reinstall windows on a netbook without using a DVD drive (from a flash drive) are so overloaded and intricate that it is not easy to understand them. It used to be easier: drive into the drive and let's go. Now it is also possible, only an external drive is needed.
External DVDRW drives for laptops connected via regular USB are prohibitively expensive. Today the price starts from 1650 rubles, and the upper threshold reaches three thousand. A lot of money for a thing that will be needed a couple of times a year.
Therefore, today we will assemble an external USB-DVD drive from matches and acorns, which will be much cheaper. How much depends on your ingenuity and resourcefulness.
I bought the drive itself in the discounted goods section of the DNS store - one laptop drive cost me only 35 rubles. Yes, yes, yes, thirty-five rubles for a DVD cutter! Here are the models that are available right at the time of writing:
It has become a little more expensive, but you can always buy any laptop drive at a flea market or from your hands. If only it worked and had a SATA connection interface. The presence or absence of the front panel does not play a role - it is only a decorative element.
The second part that we definitely need is a USB box for the HDD. We need a box for a laptop drive with a SATA connection. A new box costs from 400 rubles, but you can find it cheaper if you search for this product from your hands.
It is more profitable (for the price) to take the box not in the store, but at the flea market, from the hands. A store warranty is still not needed - we will disassemble the box to the screw and improve the design a little.
Why do we choose SATA? This is a more up-to-date, faster and less expensive way to connect (you have to pay extra for the retro IDE format). In addition, the IDE connector on the DVD drive is completely non-standard, and there is no need for unnecessary problems. In general, SATA!
In addition, you need two pieces of wire (MGTF will do), a clerical knife (nail clippers), one thin Phillips screwdriver, a toothpick, wire cutters, pliers, a soldering iron and the necessary soldering accessories.
Let's get started!
First you need to gut the disk box and remove the USB to SATA adapter board from there. Each model is disassembled in different ways, I will not give general advice here. We only need a fee, the rest can be thrown away.
The main problem is in the power connectors. For CDs, for some reason they made it shorter and with a different pinout. Although 12V and 3V lines are not used in laptop drives. In general, we will make food ourselves. Here is a diagram of the power connectors for the optical drive and hard drive.
Now let's work on finalizing the drive. It needs to be disassembled to gain access to the board. There is nothing complicated in disassembling: we unscrew the screws (there are three of them) on the top cover and remove it.
The board we need to access is securely hidden under the drive tray. But, as with conventional large drives, the tray can be pulled out mechanically. To do this on a laptop drive without a muzzle, you need to poke a toothpick into the hole just to the right of the eject button. If there is a decorative muzzle on the drive, then it also has a hole where you need to poke. Although it will probably be a little narrower, so instead of a toothpick, you will have to take an unbent thin paper clip.
When access to the board is obtained, we will work on finalizing the file. It is necessary to gnaw out a large enough hole in the connector and in the cover so that our adapter from the box can freely enter there. Depending on the accuracy and the tools used (I gnawed with clippers, wire cutters and pliers), it should look something like this:
Now we take a clerical knife and cut the tracks from the back of the power connector on the drive. For reliability, you can make two cuts to cut out a whole strip and for sure open the contact. We do this because the pinout of the SATA-HDD and SATA-DVD power connector is different. Below you can see that the tracks are cut: compare with the pins of the SATA data connector (left)
We will supply power with separate wires in accordance with the pinout of both connectors (we need one GND and one + 5V). By the way, if you want, you can add a plug-in connection to the wires to completely disconnect the drive from the board.
This is how you get an external DVD drive from which you can install windows in case of problems. And no dancing with flash drives. True, you must be able to hold a soldering iron in your hands. For whom this is not a problem, he saves.
Need to make a USB-DVD drive even cheaper and without a soldering iron?
Thank you Chinese brothers! You can buy on Aliexpress
The drive - until recently a mandatory element in any computer, today is losing ground to flash drives and retires. Manufacturers have caught this trend and are now happy to follow it, refusing to install a drive in computers and laptops. But what if you need a drive? About this - in our article.
First we need to decide what we need a drive for. It's not about his type - by default, he should be able to read and write DVDs, such is the time. But there is such a thing as a connection type - an interface that our drive connects to a computer. He is to be chosen.
The easiest way to determine this is visual inspection motherboard and determining available places for connection.
Let's take it in order:
Have you considered the motherboard? Let's evaluate the availability of free ports. If there are several free SATA ports and an IDE port, then you definitely need to choose the first option. He has seriously more pluses, and it’s easier to connect. If there is only one free SATA port, then you can think about it - suddenly you want to connect another one to the computer HDD? He needs this port. Well, the easiest option is if you have either SATA or IDE ports. You have no choice, act according to the circumstances.
Removing an old drive
To do this, you will need a medium-thick Phillips screwdriver with a good slot and a vacuum cleaner.
Note! Take care in advance of collecting mounting hardware in a separate place - it will help a lot with reassembly. It is very unpleasant to look for bolts all over the apartment.
- Remove the side covers from system block. To do this, unscrew a pair of screws on the back of each side and pull the covers back. After shifting them a couple of centimeters and freeing the grooves, remove the covers.
- It's vacuum time. Be careful not to touch electronic components(this is important!), remove the top layer of dust. Residues are best removed with a can of compressed air - there is less risk of damaging components.
- Find your drive from the inside. Remove traces of hot glue from the cables with a screwdriver. Be careful!
- Carefully remove the ribbon cable from the drive and motherboard connectors. Then take out the power.
- The drive is fastened with rather thin screws on the sides - their number varies from two to four on each side. Unscrew them and remember the approximate position.
- Now remove the drive. Pull it inside the system unit and pull it out, being careful not to touch the rest of the computer components. If the drive does not pull in, push it from the inside out and pull it towards you.
Note! Some models of system units do not allow you to pull the drive inward. Pulling it out is prevented by the front panel - for example, the drive bays have rounded edges, for which the drive clings. In this case, you need to remove the front panel by unscrewing the four bolts or slightly bending the latches in four places. Do this with the utmost care: a system unit with an insecurely fixed front panel will finally lose its presentability.
Installing a new drive in the system unit
In addition to a screwdriver, you may need pliers.
On a note! If you replaced the drive and completed the previous step to remove the old one, then you have already prepared everything for installation.
Now we will consider how to be someone who wants to put a drive in new computer, where it never was, or wants to put a second drive in addition to the old one.
- Using the instructions from the previous paragraph, open the system unit and remove the front panel.
- Gently pull one of the 5" plugs out of the front panel. Be careful not to break the slots, as it may come in handy in the future if you want to get rid of the drive.
- Using pliers, break out the metal plate opposite the selected plug on the front panel. The plate is definitely not useful, so just break it out. You can bend.
- Remove the new drive from the antistatic packaging. Remove all shipping labels. Carefully insert the drive into its place in the system unit.
Note! It would be nice to find complete bolts from the system unit, but there are none, buy four or eight bolts along with the drive to mount it.
- Secure the drive with screws. Watch its position: it is important that it fits neatly with the front panel. One way or another, its position can be adjusted after.
- Replace the front panel. If the drive does not align with it, loosen the screws and slide it into position. Tighten the screws.
Connecting an installed drive to the motherboard
Consider first the option with the IDE
IDE is an old format with its own customization rules. The loop implies the installation of two devices, so it turns out that one device is always the master (“Master”), and the other is always the slave (“Slave”). This is where the problem may lie if the connected drive is not detected. To fix it, check the position of the jumper on the back of the drive. Pay attention to the screenshot.
Universal case: if there is only one drive on the cable and it is connected by the last connector, then set the jumper to the left position (“Cable Select”, or auto-detection of the connection type). If there are two drives or devices in general on the cable, then the jumper should take a position based on the position of the device: if the connector is extreme - "Master", that is, the right position, if the middle one is "Slave", that is, the middle one. However, IDE motherboards have been around for a very long time, so they can easily fall short of standards. In this case, there is only one advice - refer to the instructions.
Now with SATA option
It remains only to close the side covers, tighten their fixing screws and start using the computer. Ready!
Video - Connecting (installing, replacing) a PC drive
No laptop is immune to optical drive failure. Its repair can take quite a long time. To immediately open a disk on a laptop, you can use your home PC's disk drive. There are several ways to connect a drive to a laptop, depending on the drive interface of the device.
If the drive has a USB interface, you need to connect it to the USB port, and then turn on the laptop. After the system detects new hardware, the necessary drivers for the device will be installed. After connecting the drive, a notification will appear stating that it is ready for use. The drive can be used after the corresponding icon appears in "My computer". If the drive is equipped SATA interface, you will need an adapter " USB-IDE/SATA ”, which can be purchased at a computer store. You can connect any device that supports the SATA interface to the adapter. Complete with adapter USB-IDE/SATA There are additional power supplies. "USB-IDE / SATA" must be connected to the laptop's USB port, then connect the optical drive to the adapter, then the drive. Plug the adapter into AC power. After turning on the laptop, you must wait until it boots operating system. New hardware should show up. After notification that the equipment is ready for use and the icon appears, you can start using the drive. The system may not be able to detect the new device immediately. In this case, open context menu "My Computer", select "Properties". The Device Manager tab will display a list of hardware. Click right click click on the top line and "Update configuration".
If the list contains "Unidentified Device" need to "Update Driver" by right-clicking on the device. In the next window select " Automatic search drivers". You can use the Internet to search for drivers.
Instruction
The way you connect a drive depends on the interface of your drive. If you have a USB floppy drive, plug it into any USB port and turn it on. Wait for the system to detect new connected hardware and install the drivers. After the “Device is connected and ready to use” window appears, go to “My Computer”. The icon for the connected drive will be there. Now they can.
If you have a SATA drive, you will need to purchase a special USB-IDE/SATA adapter to connect it to. In addition, through this adapter, you can connect not only optical drives, but also hard drives and other equipment that supports these interfaces.
Turn on your laptop. Wait for the operating system to start. The wizard for connecting and configuring new hardware should work, as in the case of a USB drive. Then the procedure is the same.
If the device was not automatically detected by the system, right-click on the "My Computer" icon and select "Properties". Then select the "Device Manager" tab. A list of equipment will appear. On the very top line, right-click and select "Update hardware configuration.
If an "Unidentified device" appears in the list, right-click on it and select "Update Driver Software". In the next window, select "Automatically search for drivers". If you have an Internet connection, you can check the box next to the "Use the Internet" line.
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Many movie lovers have come across such a feature as linking a DVD player to a specific zone. This is caused by the struggle of film distributors with the so-called video pirates. The owners of multizone devices found themselves in the most advantageous situation. Noi regular DVD can also be made multi-zone.
You will need
- Software for flashing DVD drive.
Instruction
Determine the zoning of the installed DVD a. Right-click on the "My" icon and select "Device Manager". In the window that opens, find the installed DVD drive unit. It is usually referred to as "DVD and CD-ROM drives". Select the desired DVD from the list drive unit and right click to open the submenu. Then select the "Properties" function. Several will open in a new window, one of which is "Region for DVD". The region is indicated in it, and there is also the possibility of hardware changing the value.
We launch the program to change the region code. It will determine the installation location of the distribution and make appropriate changes to the software. This operation is similar to tweaker programs that configure Windows according to user requests. You just need to specify which zone the DVD should be assigned to. drive unit and all. Program in automatic mode make the required settings.
If you cannot change the zone for DVD region of an existing DVD drive unit a, followed by a virtual DVD-ROM. The most famous of them were originally made multi-zone, so when playing files, they will automatically adjust to these requirements.
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note
In total, the user is given 5 attempts to change the region. When the attempts are over, the DVD drive will stop working, even after reinstalling the OS or moving the DVD drive to another computer.
Not all DVD drive manufacturers offer these features in their products. For each region, they, in agreement with major film companies, release DVD drives only for a specific region - Europe, Asia or America. In this case, in order to make the DVD drive multi-zone, you will need special software.
Sources:
- Discussing flashing a DVD drive in 2018
To connect a CD-DVD to a computer drive unit you need to know some nuances this process. In particular, you should know what precautions to take so as not to get an electric shock and not harm the computer as a whole.
You will need
- CD-DVD drive, computer, Phillips screwdriver.
Instruction
Preparation . Before you start installing drive unit, you need to de-energize it. If the PC is in working mode, turn it off through the "Start" menu by selecting the "Shutdown" item. After that, switch the toggle switch on the back of the computer that is responsible for power to the "OFF" state. After the PC is de-energized, remove the side ones from the system unit by unscrewing the fixing them. After removing the covers from, you can start connecting drive unit A.
Install and secure with screws drive unit on a dedicated shelf. Pay attention to the cable going from the motherboard to the hard drive. On it you will see a branch with additional plugs. Connect the plug data to the appropriate drive unit e and make sure that the contacts fit snugly against each other. After you connect, you can assemble the system unit.
Before turning on the computer, do not forget to switch the position of the power switch to the "ON" mode. Wait for the system to fully boot. The computer will automatically detect the type of connected device, after which you can install it. Installation of any additional drivers is not required.
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Modern laptops provide not only the connection to them of external hard disks, but also the replacement of storage devices already mounted in them. For installation hard drive it is not necessary to be a specialist in the computer industry in a laptop, it is enough to have basic knowledge.
You will need
- Laptop, hard drive.
Instruction
To begin with, let's talk about what a modern hard drive is and how to get to it. An inexperienced user will probably think that in order to replace it, he will have to unscrew the covers and other ridiculous “body movements”. No. In our case, everything is more simple. The hard drive is a compact plate that can be not only customized (suitable for specific model laptop), but also universal (suitable for several models at once). What needs to be done in order to install a hard drive in? You need to do the following.
Turn the computer over and find the cover on it, under which the hard drive will be hidden. This cover is usually fastened with latches, and it is extremely difficult to confuse it with anything (however, it should not be confused with, and it happens). Remove this cover. After that, the hard drive installed will open for you. You can understand what it is exactly in two ways: by the characteristic stickers on the device, as well as simply by comparing installed device with the one you plan to replace it with. If both devices are identical, you can move on to replacing the hard drive.
Freed old hard disk from all fasteners fixing it, pull the device out of the case. Install in its place new hard disk and attach all fasteners in their places. Close the lid, then turn on the laptop. At this stage, you will need to install new system and formatting the disk (all this is done in the BIOS).
Sources:
- hdd installation into a laptop
Virtual optical drives- a very handy thing that allows you to save and run virtual copies of disks on your computer. You do not need to insert them into the PC drive every time. You can also mount several optical drives at once to run the number of storage media you need at the same time.
You will need
- Computer, Alcohol 120% program, Internet access
Instruction
Special programs are used to mount virtual ones. One of the most famous and multifunctional programs- Alcohol 120%. Download and install it on your computer. After that, a window will ask you to restart your computer. Click on the "Restart computer now" line.
Run the program, after which the automatic mounting of the virtual drive will begin. Wait while the program mounts the drive. Then go to "My Computer", where in addition to the physical drive, a virtual drive will also appear.
If you need several virtual drives, you can mount them through the Alcohol 120% menu. On the left in the main menu of the program is the toolbar. Find the "Settings" section and select "Virtual Disk" in it. Look for "Number of virtual disks". At this point, select the number of virtual disks you need. Keep in mind that the more virtual drives you select, the longer it will take to mount the virtual drives.
In order to mount on the created virtual drive, in the program menu, click on the "Image Search" tab. From the virtual disks found, select required disks and at the bottom of the program window, click "Add Selected to Alcohol".
Then go to the main menu of the program. The right window stores the files you added. Right-click on the desired file and select "Mount to Device".
To create a virtual disk, insert the disk into a physical drive on your computer. In the main menu of the program, on the toolbar, select "Create images". In the next window of the program, click "Start". Be sure to wait until the end of the process. Upon completion, you will have a virtual one that can be mounted to a virtual optical drive at any time.
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For a long time, for most of us, a computer has become not just a gadget, but a full-fledged assistant in work. The computer requires changes to be made from time to time. specifications, that is, its modernization. For example, you may need to connect a second drive. How to do it?
You will need
- Two floppy drives, cable, power wires for floppy drives, screws, screwdrivers.
Instruction
First of all, consider whether you need two drives connected at the same time? Very often a person buys a new modern drive and puts it in second, because it's a pity to throw out the old one. Of course, you can leave the old drive in the system, but you should think about the appropriateness of its functioning. If the new drive is multifunctional, and the old one can perform one or two operations, then it is not advisable to leave it, since the old drive will be in most of the time, but consume energy and computer resources, that is, create an extra load on the system.
Disconnect all wires from the system. Be sure to turn it off to avoid electric shock. Remove the cover of the system unit to gain access to the innards. If you are disassembling your computer for the first time, then carefully study the instruction manual. There you will find ways to attach your computer case parts. See also the instructions for assembling the computer. In it you will find the location and connection of all wires and cables.
Now you should decide on the location of the new and old drives. There are usually up to four slots for installing drives. Arrange the drive in the order that is convenient for you. Adjust the position so that the open button is pressed clearly. Then secure the drives with four screws. Locate the cable that connects the motherboard and the drive. It has 34 veins and always starts with a red wire. Now you need to properly connect the drives with it. Remember that there must be crossed wires between the connected drives. Then one of the drives will be defined as primary, and the other as secondary. Also connect the power wires to both drives. Remember that your power supply must be able to handle both drives, if it is weak, then you will have to buy a new, more powerful one. Assemble the computer and turn it on.
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Now many users have both a home PC and a laptop. Each of these computers is used for its own purposes. They not only complement each other in terms of functionality, but also some components laptop can also be used for a desktop PC. For example, if you have a broken drive unit on your home PC, you can take the drive from laptop and temporarily connect it to a desktop computer.
You will need
- - Computer;
- - laptop drive.
Instruction
Majority drive unit ov are connected using a standard SATA connector. Accordingly, on motherboard desktop computer to which you will connect drive unit from laptop, should be this connector. Most modern motherboards have a SATA interface for sure. But if you bought a computer a long time ago, then before you start connecting, you need to make sure that it has a SATA interface. You can do this by looking at the technical documentation for the motherboard.
If the board does not have such an interface, this does not mean that you cannot connect drive unit to the computer. You just have to purchase a SATA USB adapter.
Remove the system unit cover. Locate the SATA interface on the system board. Connect one end of the SATA cable to this interface. Drive unit laptop too small to fit into the 5.25 bay on the computer case. Insert it into compartment 3.25. If you are not going to use the drive for a long time, then you can simply put it near the computer case. Now connect the other end of the SATA cable to drive unit and then connect the power to it. To do this, locate the SATA cable on the power supply.
If you are using an adapter, then insert it into the USB port on your computer. Then connect with SATA cable drive unit with adapter. If the length of the adapter cord is short, you will not be able to insert drive unit into the computer case. In this case, you need to put it next to the system unit. Also don't forget to connect the power. The disadvantage of this method is that you will not be able to close the cover of the system unit. So be extremely careful.
After connecting drive unit and start the computer. If you connected the drive using an adapter, then after starting the computer, the system will automatically detect the device and install system driver. After that, the optical drive unit will be ready for use.
DVD drive unit your computer is broken? Or are you just looking for a better model? In any case, you can replace this node yourself - there is nothing complicated about it. Of course, if you do not make a mistake with the choice of model.
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Today we will look for solutions to the question: What if there is no disk drive in the laptop?
This question will be heard more and more often, as disks lose their relevance. But life is such that it always throws up problems, and we need to solve them.
I, in turn, myself saved my laptop from the drive. And this is connected with the installation of a second hard drive:
But first things first.
What if there is no disk drive in the laptop
First of all, if you have experience in searching, downloading and installing software, you can install one of the programs to create a virtual drive, for example Daemon Tools. But this method will only help if you already have that program or driver on your computer or USB flash drive. It can also come in handy if you have the opportunity to copy the contents of a disc, or create an image of it on another computer, for example, using the Ultra Iso program.
If you only have a disk, and there is no other computer with a drive, then only the second method is suitable for you, read below.
The smartest decision is to buy external device for reading and writing discs. External drive. (Great selection and not expensive).
But as a rule, such a solution will be more expensive than the second option, only if purchased in local stores.
And the second option is to purchase on the Internet, namely from our Chinese friends, box
(no way without it). 
to install a laptop drive into it (dvd rom - a drive for a laptop). It is better to buy the drive itself at flea markets, since laptop owners themselves rarely use them, and they are usually almost new. And their price is not significant. You can also look on ebay.
In my case, I already had a drive, I just bought a box for it.
The device does not require installation special programs or drivers, everything works right after connecting via USB.
Instructions for assembling an external DVD drive
Newer laptops don't have a floppy drive, can you put one in?
Yes, of course, you can install a drive there. Since the laptop model is developed one, and already the modifications differ only in the filling.
To find out for sure, you can inspect the laptop in detail, or simply type in the model and search the Internet.
Most often, a plug is installed instead of the drive 
Also very important is the presence of a connector on the motherboard itself. If the plug is easily removed, it will be easier to find out. But if you can’t remove it, you can again fill in the corresponding request with the model in the search engine.
Two workstations on one computer
It's been almost a year since I made two jobs out of one laptop.
And all this with the help special application – Aster.
But for even more convenient placement of two workplaces in the room, we purchased HDMI cable 5 meters long.
Now it is possible to place the monitor on the opposite side, or even mount it on the wall.
Like all purchases, it was not expensive.
Be careful when choosing and buying goods on the Internet, consider reviews and ratings of sellers. You also use information on other resources, there is always plenty of it.
With this I end this entry. Thank you for attention.
See you on the pages of the site.
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