Connecting new IDE devices such as hard disk, CD or DVD player or CD writer is not a big deal: Every IDE drive has next to the 40-pin IDE data cable interface and the power connector jumpers to adjust the master or slave settings.

Now you have to adjust these master / slave attributes of the drives on their back sides: The first device in the IDE chain is set up as master by connecting the two pins unter the term Master or MA. The second drive is set up as slave. Is there only one drive at one cable, this one has to be set up as master. The boot hard disk has to be master to enable the operating system to start from.

Many CD / DVD drives offer an optional audio output additionally which can be connected directly to the sound card. Most of the time only one drive can be connected here though. IDE hard disks only possess connections for the power supply and data cables. In order to attach a new drive, hard disk, CD or DVD-ROM, the power supply and data cables have to be plugged in. The power plug can only be connected in one way with soft pressure.

While connecting the data cable you need to pay attention to connect it on both sides in the same direction. The red lead of the cable has to be connected to Pin 1 (one) on the motherboard as well as on the hard disk or CD drive. Most cables feature an additional bump to avoid the possibility of false assembling.

The second end of the cable belongs into the free IDE slot on the motherboard which looks like the interface of the drive. Two devices can be connected to each of the two IDE slots. Thus, the computer runs with two hard disks and two CD drives, for example.

The longer end of the cable should be attached to the motherboard (also called mainboard), the other ones to the drives.