I would like to purchase a CD-Writer for my IBM PC, can anyone advise
what I should buy, what the average cost is and if I can install this
myself ?

Thanks.

Staples just had some CD-writers free after rebate.
High end makers such as Yamaha have given up
since the Chinese imports have made the market unprofitable.

Internal ATAPI/EIDE ones are always the least expensive.
External USB 2.0 ones are now available if you're not interested in
opening the case, or don't have any available drive bays.