Gene there is really only a need for the DVD/CD player. It takes care of both formats making the CD player obsolete.

On installing you will see 3 cables attached. Assuming this is and IDE device the furthest in and first you need to attach is the sound wires. Then you have the grey 80 wire ribbon cable, make sure the coloured edge is the same as before. The colour should be close to the power connector. And lastly the power cable. Note the 2 flanges on the corners of the power cable, these are to avoid connecting backwards.

If the new DVD drive is SATA then the 80 wire ribbon cable is replaced by a much smaller cable to attach.

Thanks, owbist. I went through the SATA/PATA thing (from me posting a prior question, or two). Sure was a learning experience. The PATA should be here today. Sure do appreciate you reminding to watch for wiring. As often as not I feel much better reading what you, or maybe someone else, says, along with reading instructions out of the box. Now, where's that UPS guy. Thanks again. Gene

Personally I would keep the CD player drive, since you need two drives if you are going to copy a disc. I encountered that problem a while back, when my daughter in law wanted some games I had. I was going to copy the disc but couldn't since I only had o ne drive. So I had to copy the installment files to my computer but not install them.
Then I had to burn the files to a CD for her. It worked but it would have been easier if I could have just hit copy and burn.

Thanks, dl. I wound up keeping the CD drive. I had removed both drives (D and E) and installed only my new DVD/CD one as D.

My computer was still looking for the second drive, E. Rather than reconfiguring my system I just went ahead and reinstalled the CD drive to E. That resolved it.

I have some .jpg picture files on some CD's. I've thought of sending a copy to the children. I think the setup I now have will make it easier.

I tried my first (and only) DVD program. Asimov's Planetarium. It was a little jerky. A couple of years back I increased to 1.2 GB of RAM. Does anyone think I should get more? Thanks, again, to all. Gene

I tried my first (and only) DVD program. Asimov's Planetarium. It was a little jerky. A couple of years back I increased to 1.2 GB of RAM. Does anyone think I should get more? Thanks, again, to all. Gene

Ah, that age old question to which there is not a definite answer.

You said this computer is 6 year old so anything you buy today for it might not be useable in the next machine. Memory is dirt cheap these days, however you have 1.2 gigs and if you have XP then 2gigs is the limit assuming your motherboard can accept that. It should be, but wisdom suggests to check first. How many sticks and what size are the ones installed? Probably a 1gig and a 256 meg

A better graphics/video card would work wonders but again, If you current motherboard has only PCI (not PCIe) or AGP the new card will be no use in a newer machine later on.

I am glad I could help Candler.