How To Add An Extra Hard Drive To The Computer

Want to know how to add an extra hard drive to the computer? This article will help you do just that. You can either add a hard drive internally or externally. Before USB, the only choice to add a hard drive was internally. Now with USB, it is as simple as plugging the hard drive into the computer using a USB cable without opening the computer case. However, sometimes you need to add a hard drive internally. 

Tools needed before starting:

• screwdriver
• anti-static pad (optional)
• hard drive (external or internal)

Steps to add a hard drive externally:

1. USB Connection. Usually the hard drive will come with a CD/DVD installation disk. You will want to put this in the CD/DVD drive first before connecting the external hard drive.
2. CD/DVD drive. This step is self explanatory. Usually auto run is on and the CD/DVD menu will pop up with an installation window. Follow the steps along the install wizard. At some point the install wizard will tell when to plug in the external hard drive. Simple as that.

Steps to add a hard drive internally:

1. Open the desktop case.  When you open the case you will see that there is an open spot next to the original hard drive. The hard drive usually slides in the bracket casing and you will need screws to keep it in place. But before screwing it in you will want to plug in the cables first.
2. Jumper Settings.  If this hard drive is the only one you can set the jumper as either a master or cable select.  I prefer master, this way if you ever want to add another hard drive this task is already complete. If this is an extra hard drive then you will want to set it as slave. If you are unsure which pins are master or slave you can go to the hard drive manufactures web site to get this information. 
3. Plug in the cables. There are two cables you will plug into the hard drive, the IDE or SATA cable and the power cable.  Make sure that pin 1 is lined up with the correct pin on the hard drive. On the IDE cable the red strip indicates the pin 1. If it is a SATA cable it will fit only one way, so you can't go wrong with how you plug it in. Be careful how you plug in the power cable. Ground needs to be lined up with the ground pin. Usually this cable will only go in one way too.  Making it simple to connect. 
4. BIOS.  After everything is plugged in and ready to go you will want to boot into the BIOS. Need to set the BIOS to detect the new hard drive.
5. Reboot.  If the hard drive is an extra hard drive you will restart the computer and boot to the desktop. From there you can format the hard drive and start saving files to it. If the hard drive you just installed is the primary hard drive you will need to format the hard drive and install the operating system.