Install an Additional SATA Hard Drive
The SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) hard drive specification was released in 2002 and provided several functional improvements over its predecessor. SATA hard drives use independent data connections that remove the need to set slave and master drives. This allows for the easy addition of a SATA drive to a computer that supports the SATA specification. The installation of an additional drive is a straightforward procedure that requires little technical knowledge to accomplish.
Instructions
1. Disconnect any electrical sources from the computer.
2. Remove the computer's side access panel. There may be screws on the rear of the case that must be removed to allow the side panel to slide off.
3. Locate the motherboard's SATA data connectors. These data connectors are often red and in the lower right corner of the motherboard.
4. Locate the computer's drive cage at the front of the computer case. This is located in the same area as the computer's CD and DVD drives and holds the currently installed hard drive.
5. Slide the new SATA hard drive into a vacant drive bay. Ensure that the two connectors on the rear of the hard drive are facing toward the motherboard. Use the screws that came with the drive to secure the drive in the drive cage.
6. Locate a SATA power connector on the computer's power supply. The power connector is a thin plug-type connector that is labeled with the word SATA.
7. Connect the SATA power cable to the rear of the hard drive. The connector connects to one of the ports on the rear of the hard drive that is in the same shape as the connector and is keyed so it will go on only one way.
8. Connect the data cable that accompanied the hard drive to the vacant SATA data port on the motherboard.
9. Connect the opposing end of the data cable to the rear of the SATA drive. This inserts into the remaining connector on the rear of the drive. It also is keyed to go on only one way.
10. Replace the computer's access panel and re-connect the electrical connections.
11. Restart the computer. If it does not detect the new drive, restart again and access the BIOS, or computer setup. This is normally done by pressing a key that is noted on screen during the early portion of boot-up. In the BIOS, instruct the system to detect drives. Save the changes and let the system restart.
Tags: hard drive, rear hard, rear hard drive, access panel, cable rear, data cable, data connectors