Ok, so I recently bought a new CD-RW drive but I dont know exactly how to replace it, or how to open my computer for that matter. any help you can give is greatly appreciated thanks.

What kind of computer is it? Dell...HP...etc?

It's a Dell Dimension 2400

To open it up...

Lay your computer on its side with the computer cover facing up.
6 If your computer cover has a cover latch, slide and hold the cover latch.
7 Grip the indents on the computer cover, and slide the computer cover toward the back of the
computer.

Now...are you installing this drive in addition to a preexisting drive? Are you replacing a drive? Be specific. Thanks!

I am completly replacing the drive

Follow the instructions below....this is for ADDING a drive...however, before you put the one in, just remove the one you are replacing. As long as the computer is off, you really cannot hurt anything so don't worry about that. Just remove the cables from the back of the preexisting drive and remember which ones they were to plug into the new drive.

Remove the computer cover (see page 49).
6 Release and remove the front panel:

a Push the release lever to release the top tab.

b Reach inside the computer and push the bottom tab towards you to release it (the middle
tab releases automatically).

c Rotate the front panel to separate it from the side hinges.

7 Pull the two front-panel tabs towards you, and then push out the front-panel insert.

8 Ensure that the jumper setting on the new drive is set for "cable select" (see the
documentation that came with the drive for information).

9 Remove two extra alignment screws, shown in the illustration on page 62, from the front of
the computer and insert them into the drive.
NOTE: Some computers come with only two extra alignment screws; others come with four. You only
need two alignment screws for this procedure.

10 Gently slide the drive into place.

11 Once the drive is in place, apply pressure to ensure that the drive is fully seated.

12 Use the securing screw that came with the drive to attach the drive to the computer.
CAUTION: Match the colored strip on the cable with pin 1 on the drive (pin 1 is marked as "1").

13 Connect the power cable to the system board.

14 Locate the data cable from the CD or DVD drive in the upper drive bay and connect its
middle data connector to the new drive.

15 Check all cable connections, and then fold the cables out of the way to provide airflow for the
fan and cooling vents.

16 Reattach the front panel to the side hinges, and then rotate it until it snaps onto the front of
the computer.

17 Replace the computer cover (see page 68).

I'm still a little confused, I don't really see any part of cover that looks like it should come off.

Here's a link to the web page for your system's manuals, the instructions will be in there and they usually have diagrams also: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/syst...d_documentation