How to Add a Hard Drive to Your Computer

In years past, adding a hard drive to your computer was a nightmarish experience. With the introduction of SATA drives that has changed. Modern SATA hard drives are plug and play, allowing do-it-yourselfers to easily add more hard drive space to their systems.

If your computer has an empty hard drive bay and an available SATA port you can add a hard drive to your computer in minutes.

Things You Need:
Desktop computer
SATA hard drive
SATA data cable
Empty hard drive bay
Available SATA port
Available SATA power connector
4 hard drive screws
Phillips screwdriver

Step One:
Power your computer off and disconnect any cables (power, monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.) that are attached to your system.

Step Two:
Open the access panel on the side of your computer. Most computer systems secure the panel with one or two thumbscrews that you can remove without any special tools, but some systems use a proprietary method. Follow the instructions that came with your computer.

Step Three:
Slide the SATA hard drive into the empty hard drive bay and secure with the 4 hard drive screws. Use the Phillips screwdriver to ensure that the screws are snug but do not overtighten them. Some systems have screw-less cases, and these systems will contain instructions inside the case for securing a hard drive in that particular system.

Step Four:
Connect one end of the SATA data cable to the available SATA port on your computer's motherboard, then connect the other end to the connector on the hard drive.

Step Five:
Attach the available SATA power connector to the back of the hard drive.

Step Six:
Replace the access panel on your computer system.

Step Seven:
Reconnect the cables that you disconnected from the computer.

Step Eight:
Press the power button on the computer and allow the machine to fully boot. This may take extra time as the operating system locates drivers for the new hard drive.

Step Nine:
Follow the instructions that came with your particular operating system to correctly format the new hard drive.

Step Ten:
Enjoy the extra hard drive space!

Tips:
The connectors on the motherboard, cables and hard drive are keyed to insert a certain way. Do not force these connectors; if they do not seem to fit verify the orientation to avoid damage to your computer.

Warnings:
Static electricity can kill your computer. Protect against static by using an anti-static wrist strap whenever working inside your system.

Make sure not to drop the computer or the hard drive while working on the system. Severe jolts can damage your system and render it unusable.

References:
"Upgrading and Repairing PCs;" Scott Mueller; 2006.