There is more than one way to identify your DVD/CD or Blu-Ray drive. In the next few paragraphs we will go over the two basic ways to find out which model of drive you have and how to find more information about the model. We will also cover the mechanics of the drive, whether it is a SATA model or an IDE. Once you have this information you will make informed decisions on whether you want to update or replace your current drive. This information also gives you valuable insight what your current drive is capable of doing.

The first method in finding out what model hard drive you have is quite simple.

Follow along with me step by step.

First click on start, then control panel
Then click on the system Icon.
Next click on the Device Manager and check out the list of hardware in your computer.
Look down the list and click on the + sign next to DVD/CD Drives, it should be near the top of the list. Take the model number and copy and paste it in to Google or your favorite search engine and you will find many pages with spec's and information about your drive.

The second method is to remove the drive physically and look at the label on the top of the drive. I can't give you specific instructions on every computer due to the fact that all case and laptop are put together a little different, but I will try to cover the basics.

(Panda Computers is not responsible for any damage that may occur while you are taking your computer apart. Please seek professional help if you are not comfortable working on your own computer. Do the following at your own risk.)

Laptops

Removing the disc drive from most laptops is fairly easy. Most laptop drives are held in by a single screw. Turnover your laptop so it's facedown, find which side the drive is on and with your eyes make a line down the middle the drive about 5 inches from the front of the drive toward the other side of laptop until you see a single screw. Next to this screw their usually is a small symbol that looks like three or four discs stacked on each other. This symbol will show you that this screw holds the drive in. Remove the screw and set it aside in a safe place. Now gently pull the drive using your fingernails or small screwdriver out-word until it releases. Once the drive is out find the screw put it back into the bracket so you don't lose it. Now Google the model number on the label to find out more information about your drive.

Some laptop models will have screws hidden under inspection doors on the bottom of laptop. If you can't find the symbol take off the inspection panels until you find the screw. There are a few models of laptops that the whole laptop must be disassembled to remove the drive. If you still can't find out how to remove the drive, just go to your favorite search engine and type in "removing the DVD drive for a dell XXXX" (Change "Dell" to your brand and replace the XXXX with your model numbers)you should be able to find a few pages of information on specific instructions on how to remove your drive.

Desktops

Most desktop computer drives are held in by anywhere from 2 to 4 screws. Most name brand models such asHP, Dell, Compaq and Gateway can be accessed by first removing the side panel. Once you have the side panel off their will be several clips on the front of the tower that hold on the front bezel. Gently move these clips sideways so the bezel can be removed. Be careful as these clips can be broken, carefully look over the unit and make sure you understand where all the clips are. Check online for disassemble instructions from the manufacture. Once the front little cover is off you may now remove the drive by either removing a clip on the side of the drive that allows the drive to slide out or remove the two screws, then sliding the unit out.

Be careful to notice how the cables plug-in so you can plug them back in once you replace the drive. Also some models of computers the drive just like to the front of the tower. On build your own computers better known as clones you usually have to either take a bracket off the side of the drive or remove 2 to 4 screws to on each side or just to on one side, to remove the drive. A little patience goes a long ways in learning how to remove your disk drive. Once the drive is removed, type the model number on the label into Google or your favorite search engine to find out more information.

IDE or SATA Drive

The last thing we will talk about is whether you have an IDE or SATA drive. It is very simple to tell the difference between these two models. It has to do with a data cable look at the pictures below and notice that the static cable is only about half-inch wide, it comes in many colors such as red black and blue and can extract we the back of drive with a small clip. To remove the cable press firmly where the connector meets the drive and squeeze as you pull back in the cable, plug. Be careful not to wiggle up and down as you may break the connector. IDE cables are the old-style of interface, these cables are about to have inches wide and very thin. Once again look at the picture below most of the time these cables are black or gray and can be removed by simply pulling gently while moving side to side slowly in the cable should be removed. Once again be careful not to pull too hard or up and down as you may break the connector.

That's it, by using the above information you should now be able to remove your drive or at lease find out what type you have. Now that you have the information you require you can either replace the drive or at least understand what is capable of doing with the specifications found on the Internet. You can understand at what speeds it can read and write discs and what type of discs will work with your drive.

Being informed is the best tool having a great experience with your personal computer.

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