Connecting a new DVD Reader/Writer to a Dell Computer
 

The DVD Reader in my Dell clapped out. I bought a new Philips DVD Reader/Writer expecting to plug it in place of the original, but find the plug & socket are incompatible. Where can I buy an adapter?

Incompatible?? What model dell is it?

You need to give more info, your old dvd did it have a ribbon cable (wide and flat) usualy gray? Or did it have a small SATA cable (About 1/2" wide ) usualy Red?

Also include the model number of the DVD writer.

Connecting a new DVD Reader/Writer to a Dell Computer
 

Hi, Folks,
Sorry I've taken so long to respond---been away. The Dell is a Dimension 531 and the old Drive was connected via a flat wide grey cable.
Johnny

Hi,

The old drive was a IDE/ATAPI drive? The new drive is a SATA? If a SATA does your motherboard support SATA?

You could use a external case for the new drive and connect via 'USB' or 'Firewire'.

You could supply the model numbers for the new and old drives. That way we could be sure about drive type.