both PATA and SATA

Still running XP 32bit. Have Windows 7. CD drive won't work, (it's old) can't install Windows 7.
Old CD drive PATA. Hard drive is SATA. Both ports on Motherboard.
Buy SATA CD drive, plug into SATA port,(have more than the one HD plugged into) then throw out PATA drive and ribbon cable?
Don't know much about this kind of thing, sounds like it should work.
Looking for, yes new CD drive will work with SATA ports.
Or No,
If old (CD)drive was PATA must use a PATA replacement even if u have open SATA ports.
Did I say i don't know sh@T about computers?
Just don't want to buy wrong CD drive

My first post, Thank You.

A SATA CD drive should work fine if you have a SATA port for it on the motherboard.

But I'd get a DVD drive, not a CD drive. And I'd make sure it was a burner, not just a playback unit.

You can get an ordinary DVD burner for 15 to 17 bucks. Samsung, Asus, Lite-On, etc.

You could also install Windows 7 from a USB thumb drive, but if you have a DVD installation disc and need a DVD drive anyway, you may as well install from that disc.

You'd need a separate SATA port for any hard drive.

Yes, should have called it a DVD not CD drive. Did I say i don't know sh@T about computers? lol
This should do the job then,

Lite-On IHAS324-07 24x SATA Internal DVD-Writer, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 12x DVD-RAM, 1.5MB Buffer, w/ Software.

Thank you both for you time and advice