Computer owners sometimes encounter such a problem as lack of memory on the main disk. In such cases, the installation of another hard drive is required. In this article we will learn how to install it correctly, what actions need to be performed and what tools will be needed for this.
Installing a Hard Drive
To successfully install the hard drive, it must be correctly fixed in the case, then connected to motherboard and make sure that the system recognizes it. Next, all that remains is to perform a quick format, after which it will be completely ready for use.
Step 1: Prepare to install the second drive
At the first stage, you need to select all the elements and tools for connection second HDD. We will need:
- 4 bolts for securing the hard drive to the case;
- SATA data cable;
- Power cable;
- Phillips screwdriver.
Some power supplies do not have power cables with SATA connectors. In this case, to connect the hard drive to the power supply you will need an IDE-SATA adapter of this type:
However, this only applies to old computers; for the most part, all PC configurations are modern, so the IDE connection is no longer relevant.
When purchasing a hard drive, a data cable with SATA 2, 3 connectors is included. As a rule, it is red in color (although there are yellow and black ones) and may have a straight or L-shaped connector at one end. It is preferable to take the second type, since in this case a more reliable connection to the disk will be obtained.
Stage 2: HDD Installation
First, you need to remove the hard drive from the packaging, if it is new, first inspect it from all sides, and make sure that there is no damage or scratches. Next, turn off the power to the computer by unplugging the plug from the outlet. After this, you can remove the side covers of the case to gain access to the motherboard and hard drive compartment.
In the photo below, arrows indicate the places where hard drives can be connected.
If you plan to install two disks, then it is optimal that they are located at some distance from each other. In this case, with proper cooling, they will not overheat.
We fix the hard drive with four bolts in one of the compartments of the case. First you need to select a Phillips screwdriver, with which you can easily and effortlessly tighten the bolts.
The next step is perhaps the most important. It is necessary to very carefully place the disk in the compartment of the case. This must be done in such a way that the hard drive clearly fits into the compartment, without damaging the cables that are located nearby. It should look something like this:
After making sure that the hard drive is installed in the correct position, screw it in with bolts. This must be done carefully. To easily perform all operations, it is better to first disconnect all the wires from the case and install it in the most convenient position for work. After tightening the bolts, be sure to test the strength of the disk connection. It should not wobble, but be securely fixed in one position:
The next step is to connect the power and data cables. The connector on the power cable is larger. We connect it to the larger connector of the hard drive. Then insert the SATA cable. The connection diagram to the disk is as follows:
After this, insert the second end of the data cable into one of the SATA connectors on the motherboard:
As a rule, SATA connectors are located close to each other, and there is a corresponding inscription next to them. The connector must fit tightly to make a reliable connection. It is imperative to focus attention on this so that there are no future problems with the system recognizing the disk.
Now we connect the second cable to the power supply.
After making sure that all connections are reliable and that the hard drive is securely fixed, we assemble the case to its previous state. Thus, we connected the second disk to the computer. All that remains is to make sure that it shows up in the BIOS and the system recognizes it.
Stage 3: Disk recognition by the operating system
The connected hard drive will be visible in the BIOS, but Windows will still not be able to work with it. In this case, you will need to initialize it, and this can be done as follows.
At this stage, we can assume that the second hard drive has been correctly installed on the computer and integrated into the operating system.
Hello! Please tell me to a simple user computer to understand hard drives and the possibility of their autonomous operation...
The point is this. Now you can install a second one on your PC HDD, so that the first one would be exclusively for OS + necessary programs+ frequently used files (documents, technical diagrams, etc.), and the second for home archives (videos, photos, films, rarely used files.
I successfully installed the second hard drive myself (the OS sees and maintains it well)... But one problem arises here. This hard drive should be used from time to time, but it turns out that every time you turn on and off the computer, the OS still starts it - and this affects the resource!
How to make sure that this, let’s call it “archive” hard drive, does not start up unnecessarily? Is this possible?
Nikolai | April 29, 2015, 08:40
" YUM wrote: for the sake of discussion: shouldn't we go the mechanical route? Well, for example, lengthen the power cable. Take the father/mother out and, if unnecessary, simply open the pads. The cable, however, will still stick out in the “mother”, but , I think, further than the show: " unknown device"OSKA won't work..."
As a matter of fact, this is the option I considered first and here’s why. Now my system unit stands (with its wide side) close behind the monitor and the back (free) side (for certain reasons) without a cover (i.e. there is free access to the hardware). The cables of both HDDs have easy access. In general, everything is predisposed to removing/inserting connectors. But realizing that everything would quickly become unusable, so I asked myself the question of turning the HDD on and off not mechanically, but programmatically. Well, it turned out that this, unfortunately, is impossible.
So, YUM, I'll have to go down the already discussed path...
YUM | 19 April 2015, 15:32
By way of discussion: why not go the mechanical route? Well, for example, lengthen the power cord. Take mom/dad outside and if not needed, just open the blocks. The cable, however, will still stick out in the “mother”, but I think the OS will not go beyond the display: “unknown device”. I remember plugging fans into the free pads on the power supply. For outdoor use. One to blow on me, the second - into the body. Because it happened that both the computer and I overheated... :-)
Nikolay | 8 April 2015, 13:58
Nick Nick, thanks for the answer. From the answers, I understood that the second hard drive integrated into the PC will still be polled by the OS for any of its actions. And therefore, to eliminate “unproductive” inclusions and shutdowns, it is necessary to exclude it from the directory of one OS. That is, it is either a PC with two motherboards (and different OS), or a second PC, or an external hard drive, or a NAS...
Nick Nick | 7 April 2015, 14:47
I have done this, in the system unit there is a 500 GB disk divided into two partitions on one partition the system on the other with downloaded movies, etc. In a beautiful plastic case called external box for the HDD there is a second (standing right on the table) hard drive, also rated at 500. Moreover, it has an autonomous power supply on the case. There are photos and archives on it and it is connected with a switch when needed, but when not needed it is turned off with a switch on the case. It is connected with computer USB(comes with the box included) The system sees the disk as a large flash drive. I took this box and watch photos and videos on DVD or wherever there is a USB.
Nikolay | 7 April 2015, 08:19
Nick, perhaps you are right in some ways. But again, I don’t need a backup disk (did I name it correctly?) that will be stored in a closet.
There were 2 HDDs available (500 GB and 2 TB). On the first one I placed the OS with accompanying programs (not all the necessary ones have been installed yet). By the way, as Dima Svinkin mentioned, the system disk was divided into two logical ones - for the OS itself and for various files needed in everyday work. And the second HDD (2 TB) is gradually filled with “household stuff” (photos, videos, films, music, rarely used documents, drawings, etc.).
As a result, the “two-terabyte” after turning on the PC, after a while (as you mentioned, Nick) “falls asleep”, I don’t even know when this happens. On the one hand, this is good - the HDD is not used, but on the other hand, the problem I describe arises.
Nick, buy external drive I can’t yet (especially now they are very expensive, and there is already 2 TB in stock). I just have the opportunity to get a small system unit - I’ll probably have to “dance” from this option.
By the way, Nick, I’m certainly not an IT specialist, but it’s still said everywhere that you need to treat the HDD with care, because it’s better for it to “spin” all day than to start and stop.
So, in summary we can say the following:
1) separate control on one computer, with one OS, of two physical HDDs (without good system knowledge and access to BIOS) is almost impossible.
2) to solve the problem I am describing, it is proposed to either physically disconnect the second HDD (which is unrealistic), or use an external HDD, or you can use a second system unit of a small form factor.
Is everything correct?
Nick | April 6, 2015, 10:47 pm
For Nikolai: the “professor” on one of the IT sites advised you correctly. It is best to have 2 disks in the system. But they are used for something completely different. For example, there is only the system on one disk. And if the system crashes or you need to restore it from a backup image from six months ago, then your current documents will not be affected in any way, because they are on another drive. You won't lose anything. Or you need to check for errors or defragment the system disk - the operation will be completed much faster on a small system disk(where only the system) than on a huge shared drive, where in addition to the system there are a bunch of your documents, pictures, videos, etc. In short, 2 disks are used to distribute data - and this is necessary for ease of system maintenance.
I don’t know why you are afraid of turning disks on and off. There is nothing to worry about, modern disks are designed for this, they can even turn off and fall asleep if they are not accessed for a long time.
Well, if you want to disconnect the disk yourself, then buy an external disk. For example, I use an external USB-3 drive. It works quickly; to turn it off, you just need to remove the connector with the cord from the computer socket (it is inserted into the USB flash drive connector).
Nikolay | 6 April 2015, 20:54
Thanks to everyone who answered my question. A special “curtsy” for Alek55sandr5 - it seems that you immediately “grabbed” the essence of the issue.
Now it becomes clear that if two (3.4) hard drives are connected to one OS (which the system “sees” as separate physical disks), then every time you turn on, turn off or reboot the system will always launch them all (which, naturally, reduces their resource, because for hard drive one of the most difficult modes is start-up, when the spindle spins the “pancakes” Correct?)
It’s strange that at one time, some “professor” on one of the IT sites “advised” to have two separate hard drives in your PC (and not in some kind of ride-array, but precisely two separate physical ones - one for OS and related programs, and another for home video, photos, books, archived documents and other relatively rarely used files). So I “bought” this “call”.
That is, the right solution for me would be: a separate small-sized system unit, from which to make something like a NAS and connect it as needed? This is the only way I can protect the second hard drive from unnecessary startups. Right?
Dmitry | April 6, 2015, 10:59
Place a swap file and a folder for temporary files there. The disc will kick back.
Svinkin Dima | 5 April 2015, 16:43
I strongly disagree with you! A home archive must be created and stored on an external hard drive. What size is your system (physical disk)? For an OS + various programs, 100-150 GB is usually enough, and for many users the system (logical) is even several times smaller than these sizes. If your computer had one physical disk with a nominal size of 320 GB or more, then it is unreasonable to allocate this entire volume to the OS + programs. It needs to be divided into two sections (two logical drive) C:\ and D:\. Drive C is the system drive, and on drive D:\ you should place folders for temporary files of all programs, folders for downloads from the Internet, folders for saving files created in different programs and a temporary archive of the most popular files. Any extra physical device in a computer can turn into a headache at any moment - this is practice.
Alek55sandr5 | 5 April 2015, 15:50
As far as I know, unfortunately it is impossible to completely turn off the hard drive if it is connected to a PC. At every start of the operating room hard system the disk will boot along with it and its resource will slowly wear out. You can copy some files to this hard drive and remove the connected cables from its connector. This way it will be completely disabled and its resource will be greater. But of course, if this option suits you.
Good day!
There is never too much disk space!
This truth has been more relevant than ever for the last 30 years. Despite the development of the IT sector (the emergence cloud drives, network storages, high speed internet) - anyway, we are facing a shortage free space on HDD.
The obvious solution to this problem is to buy and connect another drive. But, as with any issue, this has its own nuances... Actually, in this article I decided to consider this issue in more detail (so that the article would be understandable to most inexperienced readers).
So, let's start to figure it out...
Note! Please note that disk space may be wasted due to optimal settings Windows (for example, paging and hibernation files are “bloated”), or a large accumulation of garbage. I recommend clearing all garbage and optimizing the OS ( ) before buying a new drive (maybe vacated space enough for all your tasks).
Option 1: installing a classic HDD in a PC system unit
A few words about choosing a new disk
In general, choosing a new hard drive is a separate big topic. Here I want to focus on one important detail - interface. Nowadays the most common ones are IDE (obsolete) and SATA. Before buying a disk, I recommend checking your PC (especially if you have an old one) and find out what interface is supported (otherwise, in addition to the disk, you will have to purchase adapters/adapters - and additional problems often arise with them...) .
SATA III and IDE - comparison (as an example. The photo shows 2 hard drives)
About installation:
Addition (if the PC does not see the new disk)!
After you turn on the computer (with installed second disk *) - it’s not at all a fact that you will immediately see this drive in “My Computer” or “Explorer”. The fact is that new disks often come unformatted (and such a drive cannot always be seen by Windows).
Therefore, after turning on and Windows boot, I recommend immediately (This system utility on Windows) or use special ones to format the drive and start working with it fully.
Option 2: connecting the drive to the USB port (external drives)
If you don't want to "climb" through the insides system unit (and many novice users ask to suggest exactly this option so as not to do this), or you simply have no warranty on your PC (and you don’t want to open the unit and risk it once again) - that is, a way out...
The fact is that now there are hundreds of different specials on sale. boxes: they are a collapsible box (see screenshot below), inside which you can install a classic hard drive (both 2.5 and 3.5 inches (i.e. drive from both a laptop and a PC)) and then connect it to the USB port. Moreover, you can connect not only to a computer, but also to a small netbook, for example.
Working with such a disk is no different from a regular disk (which is inside the system unit): you can also store music, movies, documents, games, etc. on it (plus, it’s easy to carry and connect it to other devices).
The only negative: there may be problems with installing Windows OS on it (therefore, using an external drive as a system drive is not worth it. For everything else, it’s a pretty good option).
By the way, there are now not only boxes on sale (for classic HDDs), but also full-fledged external hard drives. There is quite a wide variety of them now; they differ not only in volume, but also in connection interface, dimensions, speed, etc.
To help! How to choose external hard disk (HDD) - 7 important points -
Stationary external hard drive - connects to a 220 V network via a power supply
To help!
Option 3: if you have a laptop...
When many people use the word “computer” they often mean a laptop. That is why in this article I will also consider this case...
In general, the laptop is difficult to upgrade. If you can “stuff” several into a regular system unit hard drives(for example, 5-6 pieces), then many classic laptops have only 1 HDD slot (provided by the manufacturer). And, as a rule, it is already occupied by the current disk - i.e. There is no slot for a second drive.
However, do not rush to despair, there are solutions:
That's all for now, additions on the topic are welcome.
Good luck!
In the information age in which we live, the area for storing this very information is almost a critical component. In this regard, many are faced with the need to obtain more free space on your laptop or computer. There are questions like “Do I need an additional hard drive? How to install it? We will try to answer these and other questions in this article.
How to install an additional hard drive on a computer?
PC or laptop
When installing a brand new hard drive, the first (and main) question will be the type of device whose memory is expandable. If you have a PC, the procedure will be a little faster and easier, but do not despair if you are the owner of a laptop: for laptop computers, things are not as bad as it might seem at first glance.
PC
If you have a full-size PC and you don't know how to install an additional hard drive on your computer, the following instructions will help you:
- Determine the type of power supported by your power supply. They come in 2 types: SATA (looks like a narrow flat cord, usually red, with an L-shaped connector) or MOLEX (has a massive 4-pin connector). Most likely you have SATA, since MOLEX is technically and morally outdated. In any case, there are a great variety of adapters, and you can use them if necessary.
- Determine the connection type with motherboard your computer. It can also be a SATA connector (similar to power, but has a different width) or IDE (a very wide and thin cable). The latter is also outdated, but still occurs.
- Decide on the type of memory and amount you need. This could be HDD or SSD. The key differences are speed, volume and price. Thus, HDDs are cheaper and much more capacious, while SSDs are an order of magnitude faster. The best companies for HDDs – Seagate and Western Digital, among SSDs – Samsung and Intel.
- Install the new purchase into a special connector in your computer, screw it with the screws usually included in the kit, and connect the necessary connectors. Of course, all manipulations must be performed with the power supply disconnected from the network.
After completing these steps, simply boot your computer as usual, format the additional hard drive (via “My Computer”) and use it like a regular hard drive.
Laptop
If you want to know how to install an additional hard drive not on a PC, but on a laptop, you have to do the following:
- Choose and buy a memory storage device that suits you, guided by point 3 of the previous section. Please note that hard drive mobile computers has a smaller form factor.
- Buy a drive-to-hard drive adapter; they are sold at any computer store. Typically, such adapters have a standard size.
- Unscrew the screw securing the drive and carefully remove it from the laptop case. Then insert the new HDD (or SSD) into the adapter, aligning the power and interface connectors, insert the adapter and secure with the fixing screw.
- Turn on your PC, format the additional hard drive and use it for its intended purpose
If your new hard drive doesn't show up
In the case where the new device could not be installed, that is, Windows simply “does not see” it, you need to first of all check whether the device itself is included in BIOS settings. Also, the memory configuration settings may be incorrectly set in the BIOS (must be AHCI). Adjust your settings and try again. It is also possible that the root of the problem is poor cable connections. Check all joints, including those on adapters. If there is dirt or signs of corrosion, wipe the contacts with an eraser and connect again. If after that the additional hard drive does not work, then most likely you are out of luck and you bought a defective one. Feel free to take your purchase back to the store or service center, they will help you there.
How to take care of your memory
Like any thing, memory requires care. To avoid an early breakdown of your new device, it is recommended to regularly clean up temporary files and carry out equally regular defragmentation. Utilities for these actions, including free ones, are easy to find on the Internet. By devoting 10-30 minutes a month to your drive, you can extend its “life” by months and years.
Every year the amount of information stored on a computer increases. As a result, the computer takes a long time to boot and freezes periodically. And this is natural, because all data is stored on a hard drive, the memory of which is limited.
Users solve this problem in different ways. Someone transfers information to various media, someone turns to a specialist and asks to increase the computer’s memory, and someone decides to connect a second hard drive to the computer. Therefore, let’s figure out how to connect a second hard drive to a computer without the help of a specialist – on your own.
To begin with, you need to completely de-energize the system unit: Disconnect all cables and power cable. Now it is necessary unscrew the side covers system specialist Let's expand it back towards you and unscrew the four screws on the sides. Lightly pressing on the side parts, move them in the direction of the arrow and remove.
Hard drives in the system unit are installed in special compartments or cells. Such compartments may be located in the rear of the system unit, at the bottom or in the middle; some hard drives are installed turned on their side. If your system unit has several bays for hard drives, install the second one not adjacent to the first one - this will improve its cooling.
Depending on the method of connection to the motherboard, internal hard drives are divided into two types: with IDE and SATA interface. IDE is an older standard; now all system units are designed to connect hard drives with a SATA interface. It is not difficult to distinguish them: IDE has wide ports for connecting hard disk and power and a wide cable, SATA has both ports and cable much narrower.
Connecting a hard drive via SATA interface
If your system unit has a hard drive with a SATA interface, then connecting a second one will not be difficult.
Insert the second hard drive into a free slot and attach it to the body with screws.
Now we take a SATA cable through which data will be transferred, and connect it to the hard drive on either side. We connect the second plug of the cable to the SATA connector on the motherboard.
All system units have at least two SATA connectors; they look as shown in the picture below.
To connect to the power supply, a cable is used, the plug of which is slightly wider than that of a SATA cable. If there is only one plug coming from the power supply, you need to buy a splitter. If the power supply does not have a narrow plug, you will need to buy an adapter.
Connect the power cable to the hard drive.
A second hard drive is installed on the computer. Place the side covers of the system unit in place and secure them with screws.
Connecting a hard drive via the IDE interface
Although the IDE standard is outdated, hard drives with an IDE interface are still available. Therefore, next we will look at how to connect a second hard drive via the IDE interface.
First you need install jumper on the hard drive contacts to the desired position. This will allow you to determine in which mode the hard drive will operate: Master or Slave. Typically, a hard drive that is already installed on the computer operates in Master mode. It is the main one and is loaded from it operating system. For the second hard drive that we are going to install, we need to select Slave mode. The contacts on the hard drive case are usually labeled, so simply place the jumper in the desired position.
The IDE cable through which data is transmitted has three plugs. One is located at the end of a long piece, blue, connected to the motherboard. Another one is in the middle, white, connected to the driven disk (Slave). The third, at the end of a short segment, black, is connected to the master disk.
Insert the hard drive into a free cell. Then secure it with screws.
Choose free plug from the power supply and insert it into the appropriate port on the hard drive.
Now insert the plug that is located in the middle of the train, to the hard drive port for data transfer. In this case, one end of the cable is already connected to the motherboard, the other to the previously installed hard drive.
Connecting the second hard drive via the IDE interface is now complete.
As you can see, we didn’t do anything complicated. Just be careful, and then you will definitely be able to connect a second hard drive to your computer.
We also watch the video