No matter how large the hard disk installed in the computer, free space on it may sooner or later run out. Nowadays, when high-speed Internet makes it possible to download movies in HD quality, and one installed game takes up several gigabytes, this is all the more important. To increase the disk space on your computer, you need to add another hard disk to it.
Necessary
- Computer;
- new hard drive;
- four fixing screws;
- small Phillips screwdriver;
- cable for connecting the hard drive to the motherboard;
- in some cases - a SATA power adapter
Instructions
Step 1
Turn off your computer, unplug the power cord. Unscrew the retaining screws and remove the side housing covers. Make sure the motherboard has a free connector and is the same type as the drive. Also check for a loose power cable. Today drives with the SATA interface are relevant, for more than five years all motherboards have been equipped with the necessary connectors. If your power supply does not have SATA power cables, buy an adapter, usually sold in the same place as your hard drives.
Step 2
Install the hard drive into the chassis in an empty bay. At the same time, if possible, it should not be close to the already installed drive, this is necessary to ensure normal cooling of the devices. Secure the hard drive with screws or chassis retention devices (many enclosures are designed for “screwless” device mounting). The drive must be securely fixed to avoid vibration during operation.
Step 3
Connect the interface cable to the hard drive and to the motherboard and install the power cable into the corresponding connector on the drive (use an adapter if necessary). These cables are made in such a way that they cannot be installed in the wrong position. Close and secure the housing covers. Turn on your computer.
Step 4
After loading the operating system, right-click on the "My Computer" icon and select "Management" in the list that appears. In the window that opens, find the line "Disk Management" and place the cursor on it. The disk initialization procedure will start, wait for it to complete. Create a partition or partitions on the new disk and format them. The disc is ready to use.
