How to install a hard drive?

Before you start

1. Back up all important data on the hard disk in the computer.
2. Make sure the boot disk is working.
3. Write down important information at the top or bottom of the hard drive, such as model number, serial number, and specifications.
4. When installing the hard drive physically, make sure the computer is turned off and unplugged.

Set the jumpers (Shunts)

If you are installing an IDE hard drive, the jumpers must be properly configured on the drive itself.

Note: A SATA hard disk does not have or requires a jumper. If you are installing a SATA hard drive, continue to the next section.

At the back of the hard drive, you need to place small pins with a small plastic part, called jumper block or shunt. The shunt must cover the appropriate pins so that the reader can be selected in Single, Master, Slave or Cable Select mode.

• If the new hard drive must be the only hard drive on the computer, set the jumper as the master.
• If the new hard drive will become a second hard drive on the computer, set the jumper as Slave.

If a hard disk uses an IDE / EIDE interface and shares the cable with another drive (such as a CD drive), this drive must be configured as a slave and the hard drive as a master. Check your drive manuals for proper jumper settings and configure the jumpers for each drive accordingly.

Drive bay

After the jumpers are properly configured (if necessary), open the computer and determine the drive bay present in the computer. Most computers have an option between a 5.25-inch bay and a 3.5-inch bay. Today, all IDE / EIDE and SATA hard drives are 3.5 inches wide. If your computer has a 3.5-inch bay available, it is strongly recommended that you use this drive bay to install the hard disk, as no additional media will be needed.

If the computer does not have a 3.5-inch bay available, it is necessary to use a mounting bracket. These mounts convert the 5.25-inch drive bay to a 3.5-inch bay. Most hard disk manufacturers will include these media with the hard drive. Unfortunately, these mounting brackets will not work with all computers. If you can not use these brackets, consider the suggestions below.

• Contact the computer manufacturer for support media that is compatible with your computer.
• Visit a local computer store for replacement media.
• If your computer has a 5.25-inch drive located under a 5.25-inch bay, install the hard drive by simply screwing one side of the drive to the bay to keep it still. The 5.25-inch drive should provide support for the hard drive, while the screws should hold the drive.

Connect the cable and the power connector

After attaching the hard drive to the computer case, connect the appropriate cable to the hard drive and to the power connector. If you are installing a SATA hard disk, use a SATA cable. If you are installing an IDE hard disk, use an IDE cable.

SATA cable

Both ends of a SATA cable look alike, with an "L" shaped connector. Therefore, the end of the SATA cable connects to the hard drive only in one direction. Align the end of the SATA cable with the SATA connection on the hard drive, and gently push the end of the cable into the hard drive connection.

After connecting the SATA cable to the hard drive, connect the other end of the cable to the SATA connector on the system board.

IDE cable

The IDE / EIDE cable (gray flat cable) has a blue or red line or a dotted line on one side of the cable, indicating pin 1. Almost always this side of the cable will be directed to the side where the rear power cable hard drive.

If the IDE / EIDE cable is not already connected to the interface board or motherboard, connect that end of the cable now. If this is the only hard drive, it is recommended that you connect it to the PRIMARY 0 (PRI 0) or PRIMARY 1 (PRI 1) connector on the system board.

Power cable

After connecting the SATA or IDE cable to the hard drive, connect the power cable to the hard drive. This cable is almost always connected and only connects in one direction to the hard disk power connector. Examine the hard drive power connector, and then align the power cable to connect it correctly.

BIOS or CMOS configuration

After the hard disk is installed, replace the case on the computer and connect the keyboard, monitor, and power supply to the computer. We do not recommend connecting all cables yet. If you have problems, you may need to unplug all cables again.

Once connected, turn on the computer and when you start your computer, access the BIOS or CMOS setup. Check that the hard disk is being recognized or that each hard disk is set to Auto mode. Older computers may need to enter BIOS or CMOS values from the hard drive, which may be on the hard drive itself or in the documentation provided.