How to Upgrade a Hard Drive from IDE to SATA

SATA is quickly becoming the predominant hard drive interface in the computer industry; those unaware of the interface may purchase a hard drive for their older computer only to take it home and discover that their current hard drive is IDE!

If this has happened to you don't stress; you can still use that new hard drive. Most modern computers come with both IDE and SATA connections; if yours does not, you can still invest in a SATA adapter that plugs into a spare PCI port on your computer.

Things You'll Need:
SATA-compatible motherboard and power supply
SATA hard drive and data cable
Operating system Restore Discs (also called Recovery Discs)
Phillips Screwdriver
CD/DVD drive

Step One:
Back up all of the data on the IDE hard drive that you wish to save. You can use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard to store all of your settings and data on CD, DVD or external media.

Step Two:
Place the first of the System Restore Operating System Discs into the optical drive and close the bay. Turn the computer off, and disconnect the power and all cables that are connected to the computer.

Step Three:
Move the computer case to a flat, well-lit work surface.

Step Four:
Open the case and lay the access panel aside.

Step Five:
Disconnect the power and data cables that are connected to the back of the IDE hard drive by pulling on them gently.

Step Six:
Remove the screws holding the IDE hard drive in place by using the Phillips screwdriver. Slide the drive out of the drive bay and place in a safe spot.

Step Seven:
Slide the SATA hard drive into the bay that previously held the IDE drive. Secure with the Phillips screws you removed from the other drive.

Step Eight:
Connect the power connector to the back of the SATA hard drive. It is keyed to fit a certain way so do not force it.

Step Nine:
Connect one end of the SATA data cable to the back of the hard drive, and the other end of the cable to the SATA port on the motherboard (NOTE: if your computer does not have a SATA port available, purchase a SATA adapter card and follow the installation instructions).

Step Ten:
Close the computer case, and reconnect only the power cord, keyboard, mouse, speakers and monitor to the computer.

Step Eleven:
Turn the computer on, and press the key combination required to instruct the computer to boot from the optical drive.

Step Twelve:
Follow the instructions that appear onscreen to reinstall your operating system.

Step Thirteen:
Restore the data you backed up to your new hard drive.

Tips:
If you have a spare drive bay, you can choose to leave the IDE hard drive in the computer and use it for extra storage.

If you do not have a SATA-compatible power supply, you can purchase an adapter to enable you to connect a SATA hard drive to a Molex connector.

Warnings:
Static can kill your computer. Always wear an anti-static wrist strap whenever working inside your machine.

Some older operating systems do not support the newer SATA interface.

References:
"Upgrading and Repairing PC's, 15th edition;" Scott Mueller; 2004.