If you learn how to solve a simple task, how to connect a hard disk to a computer, you will be able to fix a naughty device yourself or install an additional hard drive to increase the internal memory. For installation work you will need a simple screwdriver and general knowledge of the simple device of the system unit.
Connecting a Hard Drive to a Computer
Winchester, HDD, and hard disk are different names of the same device for data storage. On this drive all information is stored permanently, it does not disappear after the power is turned off and can be deleted by the user. Here you throw off your music, series, photos and valuable documents. If you know how to connect a hard drive to a computer, even with a serious breakdown the PC will be able to remove the HDD and just a few minutes to transfer important data to other devices.
How to connect a hard drive to a computer:
- Turn off the system side and disconnect all wires.
- Remove the side cover of the system unit.
- Reaching the inside of your PC, we draw attention to the right lower zone, here are the compartments for attaching the HDD.
- We insert the hard drive into the free slot and screw it to the frame with screws from both sides.
- We make sure that the necessary connectors are always turned inside our unit.
- The next stage of the task "How to connect a hard disk to a computer" is the connection of the drive to the motherboard and the power supply. For this purpose, there are SATA or IDE format cables.
- The power and interface connectors on the hard drive are located near, but differ in size, they can not be confused.
- It is advisable to connect the cable carefully until it stops, in case of an error, turn the connector with the correct side.
- The connectors on the motherboard are located at the bottom and are marked in most cases.
- The end of the power cable is connected to the hard disk.
- We close the system unit with a cover, connect the peripheral cable.
- When you turn on sometimes a new HDD is not detected, then you need to find it in the "Disk Management" section, format, assign your name.
How to connect the second hard drive to the computer?
In all blocks there are several HDD slots vertically stacked above each other. We mount the hard drive according to the same rules as in the previous instruction. In the standard version, several loops leave the power supply, so the task of how to connect two hard drives simultaneously is solved simply. Otherwise, you will have to purchase an inexpensive splitter.
How to connect a hard drive to a laptop?
Disks from a computer the size of 3.5 "and 25 mm in height do not fit inside the laptop, 2.5" HDD and 9.5 mm high are used for this purpose. To replace or install a new drive, you need to turn the laptop over, disconnect the battery and remove the cover, freeing access to the hard drive. Next, unscrew the fixing screws and we can take out the old disk or go directly to the connection of the new drive.
How to connect an additional hard drive to the laptop:
- We have a chassis with a hard drive in the niche, connect it, pressing it against the stop.
- We fix the hard drive in the bottom of the laptop with special screws.
- Install the battery.
How to connect the second hard drive to the laptop?
The desire to increase the memory of your device arises with many users, but the size of a thin laptop is not allowed to do it in a convenient way, as on a personal computer. There are several ways to implement this idea, you need to understand the components and choose the right option. Do not be afraid to make a mistake in which SATA to connect the second hard drive, in most cases the devices have only one connector for the drive and a connector for the DVD drive.
Options for connecting the second hard drive to the laptop:
- In rare models, there is a seat for the second hard drive.
- We use adapters SATA-USB, SATA-IDE, IDE-USB. Power supply to the device is supplied with an additional cord.
- The use of factory containers for HDD, which allow you to connect the drive through a USB port. Buying this pocket-adapter, you need to know the size of your disk, there are versions for 2.5 inches and 3.5 inches.
- Acquire a ready portable external hard drive to your portable computer.
- Extract the DVD-drive and install the second hard drive instead.
How to connect an external hard drive to a laptop?
This method of memory expansion has significant advantages, you do not need to disassemble the device and use special adapters, so quickly solve the problem of how to connect a hard drive to a laptop capable even beginners. We buy an external disk and get to work. Note, in some models, power is supplied from the network and they require a separate power supply.
How to connect a hard drive to a mobile computer:
- We connect power to the external disk.
- We connect the USB cable to the hard drive.
- Connect the other end of the USB cable to an available port.
- The indicator light indicates that the HDD is ready for operation.
- The disc is displayed on the laptop monitor.
Types of hard drive connection
The way devices interact with time changes, new formats constantly appear, which leads to problems how to connect a new HDD to a personal computer or laptop. The dimensions of the ports and connecting cables from the old device often do not fit the new hard disk. There are three main types of interface that are actively used on mobile or stationary PCs, they will not be able to understand them to a modern user.
How to connect a hard drive to a SATA computer?
SATA computers use reliable 7-pin data bus connectors and 15-pin connectors for power connection. They are reliable and are not afraid of multiple connections. In the question of how many hard drives can be connected to a computer, it all depends on the number of ports on the motherboard. Interface cables to the disk and motherboard are connected in the same way. There are several versions of SATA with different bandwidth:
- SATA I - 1.5 Gbit / s;
- SATA II - 3 Gb / s;
- SATA III - 6 Gb / s;
How to connect an IDE hard drive?
IDE interfaces have been used since the 80s, their throughput is low by today's standards - up to 133 MB / s. Now they are replaced everywhere with new versions of high-speed SATA ports. IDE devices are found mainly on budget boards and PCs of an inexpensive segment. Due to the fact that users are still full of old-style drives, we have to solve the problem with their compatibility. The best option is to connect the IDE hard drive to a new generation of cables without installing additional drivers - use a modern SATA-IDE adapter.
Connecting a hard drive via USB
The easiest way to work with a special external USB drive, for which no additional tools are needed. If you connect a standard HDD from a PC or laptop, you need an adapter. It looks like a box made of metal or plastic housing, in the assembled state this device differs little from the standard external hard drive. A 3.5-inch drive is often connected without a box, using a straight-through adapter cable. If one hard drive is not enough, then the problem of how to connect the HDD to a computer is solved using the docking station for several disks.