Add a Play/skip Button to Your Standalone CD-ROM Drive

If you want to make a CD player from an old CD-ROM drive (view here) but the drive you have doesn't have a PLAY/SKIP button on the front.....Dont dispair, you can add one to most Cd drives,>>>> read on

TOOLS:
Soldering iron + solder
PH Screwdriver
Wire cutters

BITS:
CD-Rom Drive (CD Burner wont work, ideally a spare that has no intention of being used again)
PSU
Small wire
push button to use as PLAY/SKIP switch

**All drives vary in different ways so removing covers could be different.**
before uncliping the faceplate, eject the drive and remove the case so you can see the bottom and front of the drive
on the front of the drive next to the eject button there shoud be a place where a play button would sit (very strange, I know . . .) on mine PLAY was written on the board, there may be more than one spot so play around until you find the right one

Now, my soldering skills aren't crash hot so i soldered to wires onto the first two contacts, (see blurry pic #1).

***TEST CONTACTS FIRST BEFORE SOLDERING***

I then connected a small reset button of a computer two the wires (see not so blurry pic #2). if your soldering skills are better than mine you may like to attach a similar button directly onto the board.

Now to see if your drive works insert a CD and don your headphones. press PLAY/SKIP button once to start playing. press again to Skip to next track. Press EJECT to stop and press again to eject the disk (kinda like an old tape player, ahhh memories.....)

Your Over sized Diskman is complete!!!

this CD drive has been a great addition to the shed. FYI the car stereo's CD drive IS busted.

Chris Kelly 2008