How to connect a hard drive from an old computer. How to connect a hard drive to a computer - tips everyone should know
Computer equipment has long ceased to be a curiosity; almost everyone has it in stock. The only difference is the nature of use: some users actively use the equipment, downloading movies, games and music onto it, while others use an electronic computer when they want to view the latest news on the World Wide Web or do some homework.
At certain times it is necessary to replace outdated components
In this regard, the load level of the hard drive also differs. If there is very little free space left, then you should not expect normal performance from your PC at all. Given these 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 the hard drive to the computer.
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 no problems will arise if the user independently installs an additional hard drive, while leaving the old one in the same place.
An old hard drive must be removed only if it has become completely unusable and cannot be restored. By installing a second hard drive along with the old one, the user receives expanded 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 where the user must initially place it in the case and securely fasten it.
To ensure that the “screw” is inserted correctly, you should first remove the cover from the system unit case. In the front part you can easily find special compartments designed for drives and hard drives. The drives are located at the top, and the second hard drive should be located at the bottom of such bays.
The hard drive is inserted into any free compartment, but preferably at a short distance from the existing one. This is very important, since 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 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 fastening, you should check the strength by trying to loosen it. If the hard drive does not wobble, it means that all actions were performed correctly.
Connection using cables
Once you have successfully connected the second hard drive to your computer, you can move on to the second part of these important steps. At this stage, you should connect the second hard drive directly to the motherboard, and also ensure that power is supplied to it.
To do this, you will need to purchase additional cables. By the way, it is advisable to note that the connectors through which the hard drive is directly connected may differ, depending on the year of manufacture of the PC.
The old computer is equipped with IDE connectors, while the new one already has SATA connectors, which are characterized by amazing performance. Previously, users were instructed to pay attention to the connectors when making a purchase and to purchase only a hard drive with the desired type. Currently, finding a hard drive with an IDE connector on sale is problematic, but this does not mean that there is no hope of installing a second drive. It’s just that in this case the user is required to additionally purchase special adapters.
By connecting the second hard drive using SATA connectors and adapters, the owner of a smart machine not only ensures system performance, but also facilitates the installation process.
When installing an old hard drive with an IDE connector a few years ago, it was necessary to manually configure the operating mode of the “screws,” which involved installing jumpers in certain positions.
Connecting using SATA connectors is much easier. All connectors on the new equipment are equipped with special partitions, so it is a priori impossible to connect the second hard drive incorrectly.
USB connection
There is another alternative method that provides absolutely easy connection of 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 using a USB device.
Such hard drives receive power via the USB connector to which it is directly connected. However, this is typical only for disks measuring 1.8 or 2.5 inches. More powerful ones, for example, starting from 3.5 inches, already require an additional power source.
External devices are very easy to connect, which is why they are preferred by a large number of users.
Detecting devices in BIOS
Having ensured that the hard drive is correctly connected, 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 make the correct settings in the BIOS, you should also understand how to connect the old hard drive to the computer, how to connect the new hard drive, and 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, the old hard drive is the place where the operating system was once loaded.
In this regard, in the BIOS settings, the user must set the boot priority from the old hard drive. Setting the priority incorrectly will prevent the system from booting. In the BIOS, determining priority is absolutely simple, since SATA with an assigned number will be written next to the existing hard drives. It is the number that indicates priority. The hard drive with the operating system must be set to SATA 1.
If any hard drive does not appear in the BIOS, you should double-check that it is connected correctly, 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.
Hello dear readers. Today I will touch on an error in which the message appears at the beginning of windows loading
This error is due to an incorrect hard drive connection. Therefore, based on this, I will tell you how to properly connect a SATA/IDE hard drive.
Correct connection of the hard drive.
The most common interfaces of modern hard drives are SATA, and for a slightly outdated interface IDE. SATA is more productive than IDE.
This is what IDE connectors look like...
Each IDE controller can connect two devices. This can be an HDD and a CD/DVD drive, or two HDDs, or two CD/DVD drives. As a rule, controllers are designated as IDE0 and IDE1.
When connecting two drives, you need to assign priorities to them. In other words, you need to indicate to the system the main disk - master and the slave disk - slave. ( sometimes they are designated as device 0 - master and device 1 - slave). How are these priorities assigned? Using a jumper, jumper (in English jumper).
On the sticker of the HDD drive, as a rule, manufacturers indicate how to set the jumper so that the drive becomes the master or slave.
Devices are connected to these connectors via an IDE cable. The cables come in 40-pin and 80-pin. According to the connection mode, the cables are also Y-shaped. They operate in cable select mode. Such cables have three connectors - two at the end of the cable ( first master, second slave) and one in the middle. The central connector is connected to the system board, and the outer connectors are connected to devices.
Moreover, the outermost connectors automatically assign master priority to one device and slave to the other.
The operating system is installed on the main drive. If the disk on which the OS is installed is connected to the slave connector, the OS will not load.
SATA interface
SATA connectors on the motherboard look like this.
Devices are connected to the SATA connector using a cord with plugs. The plugs have special “keys”, guides in the shape of the letter “L” that prevent them from being connected incorrectly. Unlike IDE, you can connect only one device to one SATA connector. The connectors are designated as SATA0 - the first, SATA1 - the second, SATA2 - the third, etc. This is how SATA distributes priorities between hard drives. In the BIOS, each connector can be manually assigned a priority. To do this, go to the Boot Sequence or Boot Device Priority section. This may be needed in cases where the automatic priority is not set correctly.
Now let's move on to solving the error problem no idea master h.d.d. detected press f1 to resume.
Error: no ide master h.d.d detected: press f1 to resume
This error appears when the connection is incorrect HDD. This error indicates that the system does not have a HDD connected to the master connector. This means that the HDD operates in SLAVE mode, i.e. connected to the SLAVE connector. It is necessary that at least one HDD operate in master- main. This problem can be solved by simply switching the HDD to an adjacent SATA connector, or if you have an ATA cable, simply moving the jumper to the master. That's all I guess.
Additional;
Select which hard drive will be the main one, that is, the active one from which the operating system will boot. Determine the order by installing small jumpers in the appropriate positions according to the diagrams shown directly on each hard drive.
Turn on your computer and go to BIOS settings. If the hard drives are not detected automatically, identify them manually with the appropriate command. Then save the changes and exit the BIOS.
Video on the topic
Sources:
- how to install a second hard drive
- How to connect a second hard drive
To connect to computer as a second hard disk of an external device designed to operate via a USB port, you just need to insert the connecting wire into the corresponding connectors on the bodies of both devices. The process of installing a stationary hard disk as the second main drive in the system unit of your computer. The sequence of actions for this option is described below.
Instructions
Shut down the operating system, turn off the computer, and disconnect the network cable. Position the system unit in such a way that you have free access to both of its side surfaces.
Remove both side panels. As a rule, to do this, it is enough to unscrew two screws connecting them to the rear panel, and then move them back 5 centimeters and put them somewhere not very far.
Install the new hard drive into one of the free slots in the case. Do this carefully so as not to accidentally disconnect the wires, which are abundant inside the case. The connectors for connecting power should be on the motherboard side, and the hard drive is secured with four screws - two on each side of the system unit case. Use an already installed hard drive as a sample for placement and fastening.
Connect the power cable and data cable (“cable”) between the new hard drive and the motherboard. These wires differ depending on the type of hard drive being installed (IDE or SATA), but in any case, their connectors are asymmetrical in shape and the connectors can only be inserted in one way, so you cannot make a mistake. An already installed hard drive will help you find the necessary slots on the motherboard - the connectors you are looking for should be located next to those used to connect it. On hard drive cases that use the IDE bus, there are jumpers that are used to establish a hierarchy of disks installed in the computer - one of them must be designated as primary, and all the rest as secondary. However, in most cases there is no need to use them, since the BIOS is able to figure out the device configuration itself with the jumpers set by default.
Make sure that you have not damaged anything inside the system case during the installation process or forgotten any tools in it. Do not rush to close the case - you should first check the result of the operation performed. Connect all the necessary wires, the last of which should be the network cable. Then turn on your computer and go into the BIOS settings to make sure it can recognize the new device. After this, turn off the computer and replace the side surfaces of the system unit.
Sources:
- how to connect a drive to a computer in 2019
Every day more and more laptops appear in the modern world, which, in turn, are improved and modernized. However, this does not mean that users are actively abandoning the desktop computers we are used to.
Undoubtedly, the main advantage of a laptop is its mobility and small dimensions. However, even more important is the advantage of a desktop computer over a laptop - the ability to modernize and upgrade.
Perhaps the most common type of improvement of the “iron horse” is increasing physical memory. That is why in this article we will try to figure out how to connect a second hard drive to a computer.
Types of hard drives
There are two main types of internal hard drives, which differ in connection connectors, namely SATA and IDE.
The first connection interface is considered more modern and is used on all motherboards today. As for the IDE connector, this technology is somewhat outdated and, accordingly, you can only find hard drives and motherboards with these connectors on outdated desktop computers.
Laptop and additional hard drive
There are several ways to connect a second hard drive to your laptop. Of course, the simplest is to purchase an external drive connected via a USB port. Today there is a huge selection of these devices in stores. The memory size on external hard drives is in no way inferior to internal hard drives. Having purchased such a device, you can easily connect it to your laptop at any time.
The advantage of such a hard drive is that before connecting the second hard drive to the computer, Windows 7, like any other operating system, does not have to be turned off, since this device has a hot plug function.
In cases where it is not possible to purchase an external drive, you can purchase a special adapter that allows you to connect an ordinary hard drive via a USB port. Also, for more convenient use of such an adapter, there are special containers that are used as a disc box.
You just need to connect this container to a USB port and put a hard drive in it, after which an additional device in the form of a hard drive will appear on your laptop.
Connecting an additional hard drive to a computer
Sometimes it happens that connecting a second hard drive to a computer is necessary not in order to increase the size of the device’s memory, but only to transfer some information from one computer to another. It would seem that doing this using a flash drive is much easier, but when the size of this information exceeds 80-100 GB, the transfer becomes much more convenient by connecting two hard drives to one computer.
Before you connect a second hard drive to your computer, you need to make sure that the motherboard has free ports for connection. Be sure to turn off the computer's power and unplug it before performing any of this work.
Hard drive and IDE connector
In order to understand how to connect a second hard drive with an IDE connector to a computer, let's see what this type of connection is.
As a rule, this type of connection is installed less and less on modern motherboards. The cable that is used to connect the hard drive and the motherboard is quite thin. Its main feature is the ability to connect several devices to one motherboard connector. That is, on such a cable there are only 3 IDE connectors, one of which is connected to the motherboard, and the other two are connected to the device - a hard drive and a CD-ROM.
Connect a second hard drive. SATA connector
If you need to connect a second hard drive to your computer, first of all pay attention to the type of hard drive connector. If this is a SATA connector, then immediately make sure that your motherboard supports such interfaces.
Then prepare a wire with SATA connectors on both ends. Connect one side to the hard drive, and the other to a free SATA port on the motherboard. Even the simplest boards of these interfaces have at least two installed.
When installing the cable into the connector, you don’t have to worry, since a special key has been developed on the plug, which eliminates the possibility of incorrect connection. That is why you can replace a hard drive or add one yourself.
Connecting the power connector
In addition to data transfer cables, be it SATA or IDE, the hard drive needs power, which it receives through a separate connector and a separate wire.
When connecting an IDE hard drive, the power cable looks like this.
It has 4 contacts. There is also a key on the connector, thanks to which you will never go wrong with the connection position. This connector has a rectangular shape, and the key is 2 rounded corners on one longitudinal side.
The power bus for hard drives with a SATA connector looks a little different.
It has a flatter shape, but is also equipped with a special key, so incorrect connection is completely excluded.
Selecting a hard drive
Today there are a huge number of manufacturers of computer equipment and components for it. The same goes for hard drives. In order to make the right choice in favor of a specific hard drive, you need to decide what you need it for.
There are several basic hard drive parameters that you should pay attention to. The first is definitely the media volume. Today, the largest disk is with a memory size of 4 TB. However, this figure is constantly growing, and in a year it can become 2 or even 3 times greater.
The second value is the speed of its operation. Namely, the speed of accessing and writing to the disk. Today, hard drives using SSD technology have appeared, otherwise known as “solid-state drives”. The speed of their operation significantly exceeds the speed of conventional hard ones, but their volume is several times smaller. The price of such discs today is very high.
Based on these parameters and your personal preferences, you can competently and most importantly - practically select the hard drive you need.
Many people do not know how to connect a second hard drive to a computer, and therefore hand over their system units to a service center. However, after reading this article, it becomes clear that it is not at all difficult.
If you actively use your computer, then you have probably encountered a situation where you run out of space on your hard drive and have nowhere to save new files. As a rule, in such situations, users simply delete old unnecessary files. But, if there is nothing left to delete, then you have to buy a new one. In this material you will learn how to connect a hard drive to your computer.
Hard drives can be connected to a computer in two ways: using the PATA interface (Parallel ATA) and (Serial ATA). The PATA interface is already obsolete and has not been used for many years. Therefore, we will not even consider it. This article will only talk about using the modern SATA interface.
Let's start connecting the hard drive
To begin, completely disconnect all cables from your system unit, including the power cable. After this, you need to remove the side covers of the system unit. We need to remove both covers at once, since we need access to the system unit from both sides. Typically, side covers are secured with four screws on the back of the system unit.
After we have removed the side covers, we can begin to install them into your system unit. Inspect your system unit and find the hard drive that is already installed. If you want to replace the installed hard drive with a new one, then you need to unscrew the four screws that secure the hard drive to the case, and then carefully remove the hard drive. In this case, you can install a new hard drive in the same bay.
If you want to connect a new hard drive, while leaving the old one in place. Then you just need to install a new drive in the adjacent bay. When choosing a bay for installation, try to leave free space between the hard drives. This will significantly improve their cooling. After installing the hard drive, in place of the old one or next to the old one, do not forget to secure it with four screws. The screws must be tightened sufficiently so that the hard drive does not vibrate during operation and does not create unnecessary noise.
After installing the hard drive, you need to connect it. Connecting a hard drive using the SATA interface should not cause any difficulties. All you need to do is plug the SATA cable into the connector on the motherboard and into the connector on the hard drive.
After that, you need to plug the power cable into the hard drive. This cable has a wide and narrow connector so that you cannot confuse it with something else.
Power cable for connecting the hard drive
As a result, after connecting, the hard drive should look like the picture below. The cable from the power supply is connected to the left, and the SATA cable from the motherboard is connected to the right.
Hard drive with cables connected
After all cables are connected to the hard drive, the system unit can be closed. Replace the side covers, reconnect the cables, and turn on the computer. The procedure for connecting the hard drive is now complete.