How to Build a Computer with an
AMD Socket A Athlon or Duron Processor
Part 6 - Install the Drives
Last updated: 4/20/2001

61. Remove the floppy drive from its anti-static bag, orient it so the printed circuit board is to the left and the cable connectors are towards the back of the case, maneuver it  into the second drive bay to left in the 3 1/2" drive cage, and push until it meets resistance by the front of case.  Secure the drive with two "Packard Bell" screws (they look like small "chassis screws") .  Test the drive with a floppy disk to see if it is aligned properly--insert and eject the floppy.

Do not over-torque the screws.  Never over-torque any screws securing any kind of drive.  You can warp the frame and ruin the drive.  Always use the correct screws for a given drive.  They may vary with the type and manufacturer of a drive.  Those supplied with various chassis vary.  A screw that is too long can also ruin some drives.

62.  Remove the hard disk from its anti-static bag, check that the jumper is in its default position (Master with no Slave drive present.  Some drives may have to be set for C/S or Chip Select), orient it so the bottom of the drive is to the left and the cable connectors are to the rear, slid it into the bay furthest to the left, and align the holes.  Secure the drive with two  screws at the front and back.  The middle hole isn't used.

63.  Push the locking lever on the 3 1/2 drive cage towards the rear (OPEN position), slid the bay back and then up to remove it from the chassis.

64.  Set the cage on the workbench and finish securing the drives with the appropriate screws, two screws per drive.  

65.  Put the drive bay back in the computer (down and slid forward), lock it in place by pushing the lever forward to the closed position, grasp the drive bay and make sure it is properly locked into place, and test the floppy drive again.

66.  Reach into the case and push out the top 5 1/4" drive bay dust cover and put it in the motherboard box.

67.  Remove the CD-ROM drive from its plastic bag and put it's driver floppy, audio cable, and safety instructions in the motherboard box.

68.  Jumper the CD-ROM drive as a Master drive.  A pair of forceps helps with this task.

CD-ROMs will generally run faster set as a Master drive.  Most of them come jumpered as Slave drive and that setting will work.

69.  Remove one of the 80-conductor ATA/66/100 IDE hard disk cable that came with the motherboard from the plastic containing it.

Not all motherboards come with a second drive cable.  A regular 40-conductor IDE cable will work just fine with ATA/33, UDMA33 CD-ROM drives.

70.  Plug the last connector at the end of this cable that has two connectors on it into the CD-ROM drive so the red stripe is toward the power connector.

71.  Plug the appropriate end of the CD-ROM audio cable into the AUDIO OUT jack on the CD-ROM drive, with the red wire oriented as shown on the back of the drive.

72.  Feed the cables, followed by the CD-ROM drive into the top bay of the case and secure the drive with two of the screws that came with the drive.

Not all CD-ROM drives come with mounting screws.  Packard-Bell screws will work.  Don't over-torque them.

73.  Tip the case upright and install the two remaining screws for the CD-ROM drive.

74.  Inspect the front of the case and be sure the exposed drives are properly aligned, flush with the front, and present a proper appearance.

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