Install two hard drives on the computer. Installing an optional hard drive

typical configuration laptop involves the installation of two drives: one of which HDD, the other is an optical disc drive. There is only one compartment for installing a hard drive.

Therefore, to install second hard disk must be sacrificed by a CD-ROM device (usually a burner DVD discs). To do this, there are adapter devices that completely repeat the shape of an internal optical drive with a mount for a standard 2.5-inch HDD.

In this article, I will tell you in detail how to replace cd rom in a laptop with hdd.

How to determine the thickness of the device

I know of two types of optical drives used on laptops, which differ in thickness. "Thick" has a height of 12.7 mm, and "thin" - 9.5 mm. You can determine the thickness of the device you have installed without disassembling the laptop. To do this, first look into the device manager and see the product model.

I have this Optiarc AD-7580S. Now let's visit any popular Internet resource selling similar products or Yandex.market and see the characteristics of the device.

As you can see, the thickness of the device, according to the description, is 13 mm (taking into account rounding, in reality 12.7 mm).

If in doubt, you can measure yourself with an ordinary ruler. You can distinguish drives 12.7 and 9.5 with the naked eye.

Where to buy an adapter for HDD to ODD bay

It is a plastic box with a small board with connectors and a microcircuit, as well as a USB cable for connection and a decorative strip on the front side. For some reason, a mini-CD with drivers was included, but Windows 7 saw the device without installing additional software. Moreover, the device is detected from the BIOS, so it can be used as a bootable CD-ROM.

Every year the amount of information stored on the computer increases. As a result, the computer starts to boot for a long time and periodically freezes. And this is natural, because all data is stored on a hard disk, the memory of which is limited.

Users solve this problem in different ways. Someone transfers information to various media, someone turns to the master and asks to increase the computer's memory, and someone decides to connect a second hard drive to the computer. Therefore, let's figure out how, without the help of a specialist - on our own - to connect a second hard drive to a computer.

To get started, you need to completely shut down the system unit: disconnect all cables and power cable. Now you need unscrew the side covers sistemnik. We unfold it with the back towards us and unscrew the four screws on the sides. Slightly pressing on the side parts, move them in the direction of the arrow and remove.

Hard drives in the system unit are installed in special bays or cells. Such compartments can be located in the back. system block bottom or middle, some hard drives are installed turned on their side. If your system unit has several cells for hard drives, install the second one not right next to the first one - this will improve its cooling.

Depending on the method of connection to the motherboard, internal hard drives are divided into two types: with IDE and SATA interface. IDE is an older standard, now all system units are designed for connection of hard drives with a SATA interface. It is not difficult to distinguish between them: the IDE has wide ports for connecting hard drive and power supply and a wide cable, SATA has both ports, and the cable is much narrower.

Connecting a hard drive via SATA interface

If your system unit has a hard drive with a SATA interface, then connecting a second one will not be difficult.

Insert a second hard drive into a free slot and attach it to the case with screws.

Now we take SATA cable, through which data will be transferred, and connect it to the hard drive by either side. We connect the second plug of the cable to the SATA connector on the motherboard.

All system units have at least two SATA connectors, they look like the one shown in the picture below.

To connect to the power supply, a cable is used, the plug of which is slightly wider than that of a SATA cable. If only one plug leaves the power supply, you need to buy a splitter. If the power supply is not equipped with a narrow plug, you will need to buy an adapter.

Connect the power cable to the hard drive.

The second hard drive is installed on the computer. Replace the side covers of the system unit and secure them with screws.

Connecting a hard disk via an IDE interface

Although the IDE standard is outdated, IDE-based hard drives are still found. Therefore, we will further consider how to connect a second hard drive via the IDE interface.

To get started, you need install jumper on the hard drive pins to the correct position. This will allow you to determine in which mode the hard drive will work: master (Master) or slave (Slave). Usually, the hard drive that is already installed on the computer works in Master mode. It is he who is the main one and the operating system is loaded from it. For the second hard drive that we are going to install, we need to select the Slave mode. On the hard drive case, the pins are usually signed, so just put the jumper in the right position.

The IDE cable through which data is transferred has three plugs. One is located at the end of a long piece, blue, connected to the motherboard. Another one in the middle white color, connects to a slave disk (Slave). The third, at the end of a short segment, black, is connected to the master disk.

Insert hard drive to an empty cell. Then secure it with screws.

Choose free power supply plug and insert it into the appropriate port on your hard drive.

Now insert the plug which is located in the middle of the plume, to the hard disk port for data transfer. In this case, one end of the cable is already connected to the motherboard, the other - to the previously installed hard drive.

Connecting a second hard drive via the IDE interface is now complete.

As you can see, we did nothing complicated. Just be careful, and then you will definitely be able to connect a second hard drive to your computer.

And also watch the video

Today, quite a few people are interested in the question "how to install a second HDD or replace an existing hard drive?". Since sometimes it happens that there is not enough space on the main disk. Our article will tell about this ...

Required Tools

For this we need:

HDD/hard disk.
SATA power adapter or similar.
Crosshead screwdriver.
Free slot in the system unit.

HDD Installation

Before starting work with the components of your system unit, be sure to disconnect it from the network. Open the left cover of the system unit using a screwdriver or special latches (if any). Please note that for some cases, the procedure for removing the cover may differ from the standard one, usually this is written in the instructions for the computer.

Inside, most likely (if you haven’t done anything with components before), you will find a motherboard card, your power supply, various tires, wires, a RAM module (s) and your hard drive. In most PCs, the hard drive is placed horizontally from the front of the computer, but yours may be slightly different. Look above or below your main hard drive for a free niche. If there are none, then there is nothing to put, then your system unit supports only one HDD, but this happens extremely rarely.

When arranging disks, try not to put them too quickly together, otherwise they may start to overheat and, consequently, the computer will slow down. Ideally, it is better to install a new hard drive through one niche from the existing one.

Important point!!! Many hard drives have special jumpers (popularly known as jumpers) that set the operating mode. The main disk must work in the "Master" mode, and all additional ones in the "Slave" mode. Since the jumpers are usually small, it is better to arm yourself with tweezers or something similar (be careful not to break the jumpers).

Having set the desired mode of operation, you should install the HDD in its niche as carefully as possible. Do this as carefully as possible, otherwise you may damage the disk or bring down the mode of operation. Having put the disk in the desired position, arm yourself with a screwdriver and tighten the screws. After screwing and installing the disk, make sure it is securely fastened.

HDD connection

Congratulations, you've installed the drive! But you need to connect it to the system and to the network, otherwise it will not be of any use. When you bought the drive, it may have come with a cable for data transfer (it is needed in order to integrate the HDD with the system), but if the manufacturer did not put it in the kit, then purchase any cable at the nearest computer store.

In order to connect mains power to the hard drive, you will need to use a SATA adapter. However, in some PC models, such an adapter is not required, so you need to open the case before buying an HDD and see if the main drive has such an adapter, if the SATA adapter is at the main drive, then you will have to buy another adapter.

Before connecting, carefully look at how the main drive is connected. Your attention should be paid to the shape of the connectors and the wires connected to them, or rather to the color of these wires. We connect the adapter to any connector that matches the parameters of the adapter input. The process is very simple as the power cord connects very quickly.

Important point!!! When connecting all these wires, never use brute force and do not try to push the wire in if it does not climb or does not climb all the way. Many manufacturers provide connectors with a special input that prevents the wires from being connected incorrectly. If the wire does not fit, and you are sure that you are connecting it to the correct connector, then try plugging it in different positions.

You've plugged the hard drive into the mains, but it's still a useless piece of metal in your case, as it's not connected to the system and has little to no interaction with the computer. In order for the hard drive to finally work, you need to connect a cable for data transfer. The cable itself is a small red posting a centimeter or two long. At both ends of the wire there are special adapters for connection.

Now you must connect the HDD to your motherboard. On the hard drive, you will quickly find the corresponding entry. On the motherboard, look for a connector with a cable where the main hard drive is connected, there are 2-4 more connectors nearby. Connect to any free connector, but again, try as much as possible so that the wires are not close to each other.

Finally

Congratulations, you've installed a second hard drive! Now you do not have to worry about where to put all these files on your PC. Next, you need to close the system unit, connect power to it and start the PC. To check if the disk is installed, go to "my computer/this computer". If you did everything correctly, then the icon of your new HDD will appear there.

Hard drives in the system unit are installed in special bays or cells. Such bays can be located in the back of the system unit at the bottom or in the middle, some hard drives are installed turned on their side. If your system unit has several cells for hard drives, install the second one not right next to the first one - this will improve its cooling.

Depending on the method of connection to the motherboard, internal hard drives are divided into two types: with IDE and SATA interface. IDE is an older standard, now all system units are designed to connect hard drives with a SATA interface. It is not difficult to distinguish between them: IDE has wide ports for connecting a hard drive and power supply and a wide cable, while SATA has both ports and the cable is much narrower.

Connecting a hard drive via SATA interface

If your system unit has a hard drive with a SATA interface, then connecting a second one will not be difficult.

Insert a second hard drive into a free slot and attach it to the case with screws.

Now we take SATA cable, through which data will be transferred, and connect it to the hard drive by either side. We connect the second plug of the cable to the SATA connector on the motherboard.

All system units have at least two SATA connectors, they look like the one shown in the picture below.

Connect the power cable to the hard drive.

The second hard drive is installed on the computer. Replace the side covers of the system unit and secure them with screws.

Connecting a hard disk via an IDE interface

Although the IDE standard is outdated, IDE-based hard drives are still found. Therefore, we will further consider how to connect a second hard drive via the IDE interface.

The IDE cable through which data is transferred has three plugs. One is located at the end of a long piece, blue, connected to the motherboard. Another one is in the middle, white, connected to the slave drive (Slave). The third, at the end of a short segment, black, is connected to the master disk.

Insert hard drive to an empty cell. Then secure it with screws.

Choose free power supply plug and insert it into the appropriate port on your hard drive.

Connecting a second hard drive via the IDE interface is now complete.

As you can see, we did nothing complicated. Just be careful, and then you will definitely be able to connect a second hard drive to your computer.

And also watch the video

The time has come when one hard drive in a computer is no longer enough. More and more users decide to connect a second HDD to their PC, but not everyone knows how to do it right on their own in order to avoid mistakes. In fact, the procedure for adding a second disk is simple and does not require special skills. It is not even necessary to mount the hard drive - it can be connected as external device if there is a free USB port.

Connecting a second HDD to a PC or laptop

The options for connecting a second hard drive are as simple as possible:

Connecting the HDD to the computer system unit. Suitable for owners of conventional stationary PCs who do not want to have external connected devices.
Connecting a hard drive external drive. The easiest way to connect an HDD, and the only one possible for a laptop owner.

Option 1. Installation in the system unit

Determining the type of HDD

Before connecting, you need to determine the type of interface with which the hard drive works - SATA or IDE. Almost all modern computers are equipped with a SATA interface, respectively, it is best if the hard drive is of the same type. The IDE bus is considered obsolete, and may simply not be on the motherboard. Therefore, with the connection of such a disk, some difficulties may arise.

The easiest way to recognize the standard is by contacts. This is what they look like on SATA drives:

And like this in the IDE:

Connecting a second SATA drive in the system unit

The process of connecting a disk is very easy and takes place in several stages:

SATA boot priority

The motherboard usually has 4 connectors for connecting SATA drives. They are designated as SATA0 - the first, SATA1 - the second, etc. The priority of the hard drive is directly related to the slot numbering. If you need to manually set the priority, you will need to go into the BIOS. Depending on the BIOS type, interface and control will be different.

In older versions, go to the Advanced BIOS Features section and work with the First Boot Device and Second Boot Device options. In new BIOS versions, look for the Boot or Boot Sequence section and the 1st / 2nd Boot Priority parameter.

Connecting a second IDE drive

In rare cases, there is a need to install a disk with an outdated IDE interface. In this case, the connection process will be slightly different.

Connecting a second IDE drive to the first SATA drive

When you need to connect an IDE drive to an already working SATA HDD, use a special IDE-SATA adapter.

The connection diagram is as follows:

The jumper on the adapter is set to Master mode.
The IDE plug is connected to the hard drive itself.
The red SATA cable is connected on one side to the adapter, the other - to the motherboard.
The power cable is connected on one side to the adapter, and the other side to the power supply.

You may need to purchase a 4-pin (4 pin) power to SATA adapter.

OS disk initialization

In both cases, after connecting, the system may not see the connected drive. This does not mean that you did something wrong, on the contrary, it is normal when the new HDD is not visible in the system. To be able to use it, initialization of the hard disk is required. Read about how to do this in our other article.

Read more: Why the computer does not see the hard drive

Option 2: Connecting an external hard drive

Often, users choose to connect an external HDD. It is much easier and more convenient if some of the files stored on the disk are sometimes needed outside the home. And in the situation with laptops, this method will be especially relevant, since there is no separate slot for a second HDD.

External hard the drive is connected via USB in exactly the same way as another device with the same interface (flash drive, mouse, keyboard).

A hard drive designed for installation in a system unit can also be connected via USB. To do this, you need to use either an adapter / adapter, or a special external case for the hard drive. The essence of the operation of such devices is similar - the required voltage is supplied to the HDD through the adapter, and the connection to the PC is via USB. Hard drives of different form factors have their own cables, so when buying, you should always pay attention to the standard that sets the overall dimensions of your HDD.

If you decide to connect the drive using the second method, then literally follow 2 rules: do not neglect the safe removal of the device and do not disconnect the drive while working with the PC in order to avoid errors.

We talked about ways to connect a second hard drive to a computer or laptop. As you can see, there is nothing complicated in this procedure and it is absolutely optional to use the services of computer masters.

We are glad we were able to help you resolve the issue.

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How to connect a second hard drive

Even a large amount of disk space can run out when you work on your computer for a long time. You can delete files and programs to free up some space, but this is a temporary workaround. You can replace the hard drive, then you have to reinstall the OS and set up the computer. It is easier to connect a second drive, which will significantly increase the storage space for photos, games and movies.

Buy a hard drive with sufficient capacity and a SATA data cable to connect it from a computer hardware store. The volume of the disk depends on the desire of the user, but it is better not to save money and purchase a disk of at least a terabyte so that you do not have to think about increasing the memory again soon. The hard drive of a modern computer is most often connected using a SATA interface. The IDE format was used on computers until 2000. To make sure that the disk and the motherboard are compatible, consult the seller or read the instructions for the computer.

Completely disconnect the computer and all its accessories from the power source. Lay the system unit on its side and remove it sidebar. Consider motherboard. Modern boards can have several SATA controllers, up to 6 pieces. An IDE connector may be missing or used to connect a CD/DVD drive. In search desired controllers a computer board diagram will help you.

Install the new hard drive in a special basket at a sufficient distance from the other so that they do not touch and do not overheat. If there are three "slots" for the hard drive in the case, then put them in 1 and 3, and 2 between them for ventilation. Secure the drive with four screws. Connect one end of the SATA cable (it doesn't matter which one) to the hard drive, and the other end to the found SATA controller on the motherboard. The second hard drive is connected.

If the power supply does not have a SATA connector, then you need to buy an IDE-SATA adapter. Connect the new hard drive to the power supply: among the several wires of the power supply, find the SATA wire. It cannot be confused, as soon as it fits the hard drive, or install an IDE-SATA adapter. Connect it to the socket of the new device. The second hard drive is now fully installed.

If plank random access memory prevents you from installing a second hard drive in a special basket and you removed it, then put it in its place. Secure the side wall of the system unit with the fixing screws. Turn on the computer and that's it peripherals.

Wait for the operating system to fully load. It will automatically detect a new external storage device and offer to format the drive in NTFS format. If this does not happen, open the “Computer” folder in “Explorer”, click on the new disk right click mouse and select "Format" from the menu. If new local disk did not appear, then find it using the "Control Panel" section of the "Main Menu", which opens with the "Start" button.

Elevated temperatures can cause rapid wear of the hard drive surface. If it is not possible to separate the hard drives by space, then there is one way out - put a second fan to cool the drives. If all SATA controllers on the board are occupied, then buy a PCI controller with SATA connectors to connect a second drive.

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Connecting a primary and secondary hard drive

Modern hard drives are distinguished by their capacity, sufficient to meet the needs of almost any user. However system requirements programs and games grow along with the volume of disks, so sometimes there is a problem of lack of space. If nothing can be removed, you can connect a second hard drive.

Connecting equipment

First, let's figure out how to connect a hard drive to a computer.

Modern hard drives for computers are 3.5 inches. They are connected using the SATA interface, which replaced the outdated IDE connector.

Look at your hard drive - it should have two connectors. One is short, designed to transfer data from the motherboard. The second one is long, it is needed to connect to the power supply and get energy for the hard drive to work.

SATA plugs can look different: straight, snap-on, L-shaped, and so on. However, this does not matter - with all your desire, you will not be able to connect the hard drive incorrectly.

Install one end of the SATA cable into the appropriate slot on the hard drive. Then connect the hard drive to the power supply. If the power supply is old, you may need to use a special adapter from Molex to SATA to connect the devices, which can be purchased at any computer store.

The connected hard drive looks like this:

The other end of the SATA cable plugs into the corresponding port on the motherboard. Usually these ports are colored blue or red, so you can easily find it. Naturally, in this case, it is necessary to observe the main rule for connecting any equipment - "red to red, blue to blue, etc."

If there are no SATA connectors or they are all occupied, you can purchase a special PCI controller. If you know how to connect network card, then you will not have any problems installing this controller; the main thing is to have a free slot on the motherboard.

Don't forget to secure the hard drive with screws!

After turning on the computer, the system should display a new drive. If this does not happen, perform the initialization procedure.

Right-click on "My Computer" and select "Manage".

Go to the "Disk Management" section. The initialization wizard should appear on the screen. Click "OK" to launch it and complete the installation of the hard drive.

Second disc

Connecting a second hard drive is done in the same way. The main thing here is to keep the distance between the "hards" so that they do not overheat.

Install the hard drive only in a special basket. In no case does not leave it in limbo.

When you turn on your computer, a new drive is detected automatically. You just have to format it in NTFS system. If formatting does not start automatically:

After formatting is completed, you can work with the new "hard".

Since you set out to improve functionality your computer, try connecting USB by increasing the number of available ports. You can also connect a graphics card to your computer if the old one doesn't suit your visual needs.

Old hard drives

If you are happy owner two rare hard drives with an IDE interface and want to install them in one computer, then you will have to perform a few additional steps in order for the equipment to work correctly.

Connect the hard drive to the first hard drive motherboard and power supply.
Connect the second hard drive to the remaining connector on the cable.

Now you need to manually set the configuration of the "hard" operating modes. For this, a special jumper is used - a jumper.

On the hard drive that will be the main one, it must be set to the “Master” position.
On the second hard drive, the “Slave” mode is set - slave.

The mode scheme must be indicated on the hard drive itself.

Lastly, you need to check that Device BIOS have been correctly identified. Log in to the basic I/O system and make sure that the home page interface, the master disk is marked in the column "Primary IDE Master", and the slave - in the column "Primary IDE Slave". Subsequent configuration of hard drives is carried out in the same way as when connecting hard drives via SATA interface.

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How to properly connect a second hard drive to a computer

When a new HDD is purchased, the question arises of how to connect a second hard drive to a computer. This is not difficult to do, but before you get started, you need to make sure that your system unit is not under warranty. The fact is that in order to install a second hard drive, you need to remove the side cover of the computer. This will break the seal and therefore void the warranty. To avoid this situation, you should contact the service center.

Connecting an additional hard drive

If the warranty has expired or is missing, feel free to remove the side wall. It is attached with two screws on the back of the PC. Be sure to turn off your computer and unplug it from the network. Installation of an additional hard drive is performed only when the system unit is turned off. This is not a flash drive, and the HDD can simply fail.

You need to inspect the motherboard and the place where the hard drive is already located. Majority modern computers has SATA connections. Track where the cable of the existing HDD is connected to the motherboard. There should be at least one more of the same next to this connector. This will depend on the type of your motherboard. Large ones have up to 5-6 connectors, small ones can only have 2.

If you are the owner of a standard type of motherboard, then you just need to choose a socket for connection. If you have a combo (that is, a small one), then some difficulties may arise. The fact is that the first hard drive and optical drive may already be connected to the slots. And it may turn out that there is simply no other place to connect an additional hard drive. These are budget motherboards, and sometimes they do not provide for the ability to connect multiple hard drives. How to install two hard drives in this case? You'll just have to unplug the DVD-ROM to free up the port.

If you have an old computer with an IDE connection type and only one slot remains, you have the opportunity to install two equipment on one cable. It can be either 2 HDDs or a hard drive with an optical drive. When connecting on one loop, it is desirable to follow the sequence in which the master connector will be connected system disk, and to the slave - additional. Master is the last connector on the loop, slave is in the middle. The instructions for the HDD should indicate in which position the jumpers should be set for a particular mode.

After we figured out where to connect the second hard drive to the computer so that it recognizes it, we move on to the next step. This is the power supply of the device with electricity. Take a close look at the wires that come from the power supply. In old system units, the type of connections is IDE, in new ones - SATA. Some PCs have both types at the same time. If the hard drive has a SATA port, and only IDEs remain free in the power supply, you should not worry. You need to purchase an adapter from one type of connection to another.

We found out in which connectors the second hard drive is connected. Now it needs to be installed and fixed. Find where the first hard drive is. Depending on the size of your case, there may be from one to three disk locations nearby. If there are many places, it is advisable to connect two HDDs so that they are far away from each other. Hard drives can get very hot during operation, and they need ventilation. The more free space around them, the better ventilation will occur.

In a small case, installing a second hard drive will mean that both hard drives will get very hot. Especially during the hot season. Therefore, it is advisable to purchase a cooling system for them. When connecting a second disk, do not forget that it must be screwed to the case with screws. Unlike solid state drives, HDDs have mechanical parts that can easily be damaged. During transportation, the hard drive may fall out of the slot, and this will damage not only it, but also, possibly, the motherboard.

Second hard drive on a laptop

Winchesters on laptop computers do not have the same large capacity as stationary ones. And sometimes users want to increase the space, but the laptop does not have a slot for an additional hard drive. How to connect a second hard drive to a laptop in this case? This can be done by installing an HDD instead of an optical drive.

For this, there are special adapters. Without them, it will not be possible to connect another hard drive, since the connectors for DVD-ROM and HDD are different. First of all, you need to find out the thickness of your drive. On different laptops it may differ. The most common are 12.7 mm and 9.5 mm. You can find it out like this:

Use a program to diagnose equipment such as Everest or AIDA. View the model of the optical drive and find the specification on the Internet. The exact dimensions must be indicated on the manufacturer's website. Unscrew the drive and take a measurement manually.

After purchasing the adapter, you can proceed to install the hard drive. Unplug your computer from power and turn it off. It can only be untwisted when not in use. Pull out the optical drive. In most cases, it is attached with 2-4 screws.

Take the adapter and remove the stop, which is located on the opposite edge from the connectors. Some try to turn on the second drive by connecting it to the adapter at an acute angle. This can break contacts. The stop is removable and is needed to fix the hard drive. Then firmly press the hard drive to the contacts. Sometimes it takes effort to do so.

After installation and fixing with an emphasis, screw the bolts for a more rigid connection of the adapter with the disk. In order not to spoil appearance laptop, you need to remove the front panel from the optical drive and attach it to the hard drive adapter. Carefully insert the device into the laptop and put back all the covers. If everything was done correctly, the BIOS will display new hard disk.

Disk system settings

You have learned how to install a second hard drive in a PC. But this is not enough for a full-fledged work with him. Now it needs to be configured so that the system recognizes it. After all, if the disk is new, it does not have marked areas and will not be displayed. operating system. If you have windows installed, this can be done by going to the "Disk Management" section. You can get to this menu by right-clicking on the "My Computer" icon and selecting "Manage".

In the central lower part, all connected drives and their volume will be displayed. The new drive will be labeled "Unallocated". You need to right-click on this area and click "Create Simple Volume". The "Settings Wizard" will appear, following the instructions of which you will determine the space of the future disk, file system and assign a letter to it. Remember that two partitions cannot be assigned the same letter. So that you do not have to deal with an OS freeze and a crash in the process, close all extra programs. At the end of the procedure, the system will display a new hard drive.

We have examined in detail how to connect an additional hard drive to a computer. After watching the video below or above in the text, you can understand and consider in more detail the incomprehensible points.

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HDDiq.ru

Connecting a second hard drive to a computer

Computer technology has long ceased to be a curiosity, it is practically available to everyone. Only the nature of use differs: some users actively exploit the equipment, uploading films, games and music to it, while others use an electronic computer when they want to view last news on the World Wide Web or do some homework.

IN certain time having to replace obsolete components

In this regard, the level of loading of the hard disk is also different. If there is very little free space left, then you should not expect normal performance from a PC at all. Given such circumstances, many owners decide to purchase a second "screw", thereby increasing disk space. However, it is very important to first find out how to connect a hard drive to a computer.

Connection to PC

Finding information on the Internet on how to connect a hard drive to a computer is not difficult. It is only important to carefully read all the recommendations, and then there will be no problems if the user installs an additional hard drive on his own, while leaving the old one in the same place.

The old hard drive is subject to removal only in the event that it has completely become unusable and cannot be restored. By installing a second hard drive along with the old one, the user gets extended space, thanks to which all actions will be performed faster.

Installation in a PC case

Connecting a hard drive to a computer begins with the step when the user must first place it in the case and securely fasten it.

To ensure that the “screw” is inserted correctly, you must first remove the cover from the system unit case. In the front, you can easily find special compartments designed for drives and hard drives. Drives are located at the top, and the second hard drive should be identified at the bottom of such bays.

The hard drive is inserted into any free compartment, but preferably on short distance from what already exists. This is very important, because during operation they both heat up, which will adversely affect the performance of the PC.

Then the second hard drive is inserted strictly along the guides so that the connectors are directed towards the inside of the system unit in order to ensure its comfortable connection in the future. When the new hard drive has taken its correct position, it should be securely fastened by tightening the screws on both sides, ensuring a tight connection with the compartment.

After fixing, you should check the strength by trying to loosen it. If the hard drive is not subject to staggering, then all the actions were performed correctly.

Connecting with loops

After successfully connecting the second hard drive to the computer, you can proceed to the second part of such important steps. At this stage, you should directly connect the second hard drive to the motherboard, and also provide power to it.

To do this, you will need to purchase additional loops. By the way, it is worth noting that the connectors through which the hard drive is directly connected may differ, depending on the year of manufacture of the PC.

old computer equipped with IDE connectors, while the new one already has SATA connectors, which are characterized by amazing speed. Previously, users were oriented when making a purchase to pay attention to the connectors and purchase only a hard drive with the right kind. It's hard to find an IDE hard drive for sale these days, but that doesn't mean there's no hope of installing a second drive. Simply in this case, the user must additionally purchase special adapters.

By connecting the second hard drive with SATA connectors and adapters, the owner of a smart machine not only ensures the speed of the system, but also facilitates the installation process.

When installing an old hard drive with an IDE connector a few years ago, I had to manually configure the “screws” mode of operation, which consisted of setting jumpers to certain positions.

Connecting using SATA connectors is much easier. All connectors on the new technology are equipped with special partitions, so it is a priori impossible to connect the second hard drive incorrectly.

USB connection

There is one more alternative way, which provides an absolutely easy connection of a new disk space, while completely eliminating the need to disassemble the system unit case.

In this regard, many people want to know how to connect an additional hard drive to a computer without experiencing any additional difficulties. The answer is obvious, the second hard "screw" can be connected to an electronic computer at USB help-devices.

Such hard drives are powered through the USB connector to which it is directly connected. However, this is typical only for disks having a size of 1.8 or 2.5 inches. More powerful ones, for example, starting from 3.5 inches, already need an additional power supply.

External devices are very easy to connect, so they are preferred by a large number of users.

Defining Devices in the BIOS

Having provided correct connection hard drive, you should make sure that it is displayed correctly in the BIOS, otherwise it will be simply stupid to dream of high-quality work.

To produce correct settings in the BIOS, you should also understand how to connect an old hard drive to a computer, how to connect a new hard drive, how to ensure the correct operation of these two drives.

The user understands that the operating system is installed on one of the disk spaces, in most cases it is the old hard drive that is the place where the operating system was once loaded.

In this regard, in BIOS settings the user must set the boot priority from the old hard drive. Erroneously setting the priority will not allow the system to boot. It is quite easy to determine the priority in the BIOS, since SATA with an assigned number will be written opposite the existing hard drives. It is the number that indicates the priority. The hard drive with the operating system must be set to SATA 1.

If any hard disk is not displayed in the BIOS, you should double-check the connection, otherwise you will not be able to use the installed disk space.

So, installing an additional hard drive is a predictable act, accompanied by actions that can easily be performed by any user if he makes an effort and shows increased attention.