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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP0Brsc0dMY, http://lifehacker.com/137179/hack-attack-how-to-install-a-hard-drive, , . 12. Try to find screws that will match the necessary size, either in a shop or online. The most common location is at the lower front, near the intake fans and away from other components. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website.
% of people told us that this article helped them. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Some may have metal retention clips, while others do not. Some laptops, such as Mac laptops, will require you to unscrew several screws around the border of the case. "Locating the hard drive and removing it, putting in the new drive. The connector is keyed to fit only one way. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. You can browse to the drive, open it, drag files and folders into it, or set it up for receiving security backups and recovery files. 
For PATA drives (EIDE or IDE), there's a 40-pin connector and a 4-pin power connector. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Physically mounting the hard drive in a PC is probably the most difficult part of the installation process. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. 11. Be careful of any ribbons or cables attached to the motherboard from the bottom panel. You can take advantage of this by plugging a new or extra internal drive into a hard drive enclosure. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2022 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. However, these brackets are often less secure than traditional screws. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2022 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. The connection is quite firm, but it's still safer with screws since they ensure that the connection between the drive and laptop doesn't come loose.
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 808,324 times. Secure the hard drive in place with screws. Drive cages/bays will most often be mounted perpendicular to the bottom of the chassis, while drives mounted in the cages usually sit parallel to the bottom of the case. Plug in the connections. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2022 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Refer to your motherboard documentation for detailed information for your motherboard. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2022 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. However, if it doesn't load Windows then it's best you take it in to a specialist, most have programs that run from a disk that can check for errors, or they can fix mechanical faults or tell you to buy a new one. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. M.2 SSDs come in a variety of sizes. Some enthusiast-class also cases give users the ability to remove drive cages or to mount them in different positions to optimize air flow and simplify cable management. You will have to back up all of your stored data (desktop, documents, downloads, music, photos, videos, etc.) wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This wikiHow teaches you how to install a hard drive in a desktop or laptop computer. Positioning the drives directly in front of an intake fan also helps. Plug and play the hard drive. Brad Chacos spends his days digging through desktop PCs and tweeting too much. However, the word 'need' is misleading, as you can use a lot of different hard drives in some laptops. BIOS and UEFI interfaces can differ based on the motherboard make and model, so check your motherboard manual or manufacturer website for details. He specializes in graphics cards and gaming, but covers everything from security to Windows tips and all manner of PC hardware. The wikiHow Tech Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. Installing a hard drive in your PC doesnt necessarily follow the same procedure as installing an SSD. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2022 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. He has over ten years of experience working in electronics repair, as well as retail stores that specialize in both Mac and PC. Shut down your computer. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Replace the side or bottom panel on your desktop tower or laptop. You can also connect the laptop's hard drive without any screws. Grounding yourself before starting.". Using screws is the more robust mounting method, but tool-less trays are fine for systems that wont be moved around much. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Some SATA data cables come with L-shaped ends, which can help keep cables tidy. 4. All three spin at 7,200 revolutions per minute (RPM), the fastest speed available in consumer hard drives. 1. Once the drive is mounted, connecting it to your system is quick and easy. If you needed to disconnect any ribbons or cables to remove the bottom panel, be sure to reconnect them before closing the laptop. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws.
SSDs tend to offer much faster speeds than hard drives, but hard drives offer significantly more capacity at lower prices. You'll need to format the drive properly to suit your computer. When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. 3.5 inch (8.9cm) SATA drives are used in most desktop computers. You can use an anti-static strip or touch the screw on an active light switch cover to ground yourself before touching the components and cables inside your computer. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Mark Casey was a Lifewire writer who specialized in computing and technology, including reviewing PC components and peripherals. Placement and orientation of the cages or bays will vary from case to case. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2022 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. A friend or colleague might also have some spare ones you could use. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2022 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Try to find SATA cables with metal retention clips, because they help keep the connectors secured. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This article was written by Jeremy Mercer and by wikiHow staff writer, Travis Boylls. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If the drive isnt listed, shut down your PC. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. 9. Using right-angle connectors on the motherboard side will will result in blocked ports, because the connector may overlap adjacent ports. If it has a power switch, turn it on. Hard drives emit heat when they are running. Drives last longer when they stay nice and cool. Install a new operating system on your computer.
Disconnect the SATA cable and power supply cable from the old hard drive. 6. Place the new hard drive in the enclosure, or hard drive slot. What tools do I need to install a hard drive? wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Seal the hard drive enclosure using the included screws or fasteners. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Once you plug it in and turn it on, your Windows machine should recognize that you added new hardware and let you "plug and play" it. 7. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The process usually requires no more than mounting it, connecting a couple of cables, and formatting the drive for use. When youre done connecting the SATA cable, youll have to connect the drive to your power supply unit (PSU). Talking to a tech professional (like a specialist at a store selling computers and related items) would be best. Many casesespecially enthusiast casesuse tool-less trays that hold the drives with simple pins and clips. If you hear beeps or any jarring noises, immediately turn off the computer and check the hard drive's connections. Connect the enclosure to the PC. The last thing you need to do is partition and format the drive. Securing the drive to a cage usually requires four screws on the sides or bottom of the drive. I am told to reboot, but either the screen is blank or I am told to replace my battery, which doesn't help either. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Connect the USB cable to the PC, and allow the drive to come on.