Installing the Hard Drives
There are several different types of hard drives available. At the time of this revision, EIDE drives are rapidly fading away as SATA (Serial ATA) drives are becoming the new standard.
On the matter of SATA drives, I must say that quite frankly, I have not been impressed with their durability. Other than Seagate and Samsung drives (which I've had good luck with), I've experienced an unacceptable number of failures with SATA drives. In fact, I routinely install dual hard drives in computers that I build, and use a program called Casper to regularly clone one drive to the other.
This page, however, uses an EIDE drive for illustration, both because SATA hadn't really caught on when this computer was built and because installing an EIDE hard drive is slightly more involved than installing a SATA drive. Installing SATA drives is similar except that SATA drives use different cables and connectors, and SATA drives don't require master/slave relationships, and therefore have no jumpers to set.
IDE Hard Drive Configuration
If you are using EIDE drives, then you will have to set the jumpers to match the drive's configuration before you physically install the drives in the computer. If you haven't yet done this, then please click here for detailed instructions before proceeding any further. And if you're using SATA drives, ignore all this talk of jumpers. Otherwise, let's go ahead and physically install the hard drive.
Physically Installing a Hard Drive
)
The case that we're using has a detachable "cage" for the hard drives. The cage is first removed from the case, the drives are mounted into the cage, and the cage is reattached to the case. This design helps reduced scraped knuckles from working in tight spaces and avoids the need to remove the side of the case behind the motherboard to access the mounting screws.
)
The hard drive is mounted in the cage using four mounting screws. Make sure that you use the correct holes so that the cage will fit back in the case properly. If you are mounting a front-accessible drive (such as a floppy drive or ZIP drive) in the same cage, then make sure you mount the front-accessible drive in the position behind the opening in the front of the case. Don't overtighten the screws!
)
Once you have screwed the drive into the cage, re-attach the drive cage into the case (click here for a handy trick to insert those hard-to-reach screws).
Many people ask, "Is it really necessary to use all four screws to mount the hard drive?" The answer usually is yes. Using four screws reduces the chances of annoying buzzing caused by vibrations. Some cases, however, use friction mounts or rubber bushings to reduce vibration.
Connecting the Hard Drive Cables
Now we're ready to connect the data cables and power cables. EIDE drives use either flat, ribbon cables, or the newer-style rounded cables. SATA drives use thinner, flexible cables that are easier to route through the case and that improve airflow.
)
For this demonstration, we're using old-fashioned ribbon cables. EIDE hard drives use an 80-conductor cable that usually has color-coded connectors. The black connector gets connected to the master drive, the gray to the slave (if any), and the blue to the motherboard.
If the connectors are not color-coded, then the one off-center in the middle gets connected to the slave drive, the one on the end closest to the one in the middle gets connected to the master drive, and the one on the end farthest from the middle connector gets connected to the motherboard or IDE controller card.
)
The colored stripe along one edge of the ribbon cable must line up with pin Number 1 on both the IDE controller and the drive. If pin Number 1 is not clearly marked on the device itself, then look in the manual or instructions. (On hard drives, pin 1 usually -- but not always -- is the one closest to the power connector.) Most EIDE drive cables also have little raised grooves that fit into a little notch on the connector to insure that they are attached properly, but sometimes these are absent.
Attach the cables firmly, but gently, by pushing them straight onto the connectors on the drives and the motherboard. Make sure that the pins line up before you push. If you break a pin, you will permanently ruin the drive or motherboard.
)
If you are using a SATA (Serial ATA) drive, the connectors on the motherboard will look like those in the picture on the right. Once again, the cable should be inserted straight down into the connector. Make sure that the cable is properly oriented on the connector. SATA connectors are keyed to prevent improper insertion, so if it doesn't fit easily, you're probably trying to attach it backwards.
Connect the Power Cables
)
Finally, attach the power connectors to the drives.
Make sure that the power connectors are attached using the correct polarity. The sockets and connectors are shaped so that they should only fit the correct way unless you force them. So don't force them. If it doesn't fit without forcing, then you probably are trying to connect it backwards.
If you fire up the computer while a drive power connector is attached backwards, you will immediately and permanently destroy the drive. So make sure you double check to make sure that all the connectors are attached properly.
Next, let's look at Installing Auxiliary Drives.
){kind=link}