Computer Hardware:
• Tools, Static & Cleaning
• Form Factor
• PC Case & Fans
• Motherboard
• Processor (CPU)
• Power Supply Unit
• RAM
• Hard Drive
• Solid State Drive
• Optical Drive
• Floppy Disk Drive
• Graphics Card
• Sound Card
• Network Card
• Computer Monitor
• Keyboard & Mouse
• Laptop / Netbook
• Building a Computer
• Overclocking
Operating System & Backup:
• Operating System
• Drivers
• Windows Tools
• User Accounts
• Backup
• Windows 10
Internet & Network:
• Internet
• Wi-fi or Cable
• Improve Broadband Speed
• Network Computers
Computer Peripherals:
• Printer
• Scanner
• External Hard Drive
• USB Flash Drive
Computer Security:
• Anti-virus
• Anti-Spyware
• Phishing
• Firewall
Common PC Problems:
• Slow Computer
• Hardware Failure
• Software Failure
• Printing Problems
Miscellaneous:
• Windows Shortcuts
• Glossary of Terms
• HTML Colour Picker
• Number Base Converter
• Tools, Static & Cleaning
• Form Factor
• PC Case & Fans
• Motherboard
• Processor (CPU)
• Power Supply Unit
• RAM
• Hard Drive
• Solid State Drive
• Optical Drive
• Floppy Disk Drive
• Graphics Card
• Sound Card
• Network Card
• Computer Monitor
• Keyboard & Mouse
• Laptop / Netbook
• Building a Computer
• Overclocking
Operating System & Backup:
• Operating System
• Drivers
• Windows Tools
• User Accounts
• Backup
• Windows 10
Internet & Network:
• Internet
• Wi-fi or Cable
• Improve Broadband Speed
• Network Computers
Computer Peripherals:
• Printer
• Scanner
• External Hard Drive
• USB Flash Drive
Computer Security:
• Anti-virus
• Anti-Spyware
• Phishing
• Firewall
Common PC Problems:
• Slow Computer
• Hardware Failure
• Software Failure
• Printing Problems
Miscellaneous:
• Windows Shortcuts
• Glossary of Terms
• HTML Colour Picker
• Number Base Converter
Below are two procedures for upgrading your Hard Drive which includes an older IDE Drive and the newer SATA Drive.
IDE Hard Drive Upgrade:
The motherboard will have two IDE connectors (Primary and Secondary) and each connector can support up to two Drives allowing a total of four Drives to be connected. One Drive has to be set as 'Master' and the other as 'Slave' so that they can be identified. Each Drive has a Jumper Block and a diagram on the Drive telling you how to set the jumper to make it a 'Master' or 'Slave'.
You should set the Hard Drive that contains the Operating System to 'Master' and plug it into the Primary IDE connector. If you are fitting an extra Hard Drive then it can be set as 'Slave' on the Primary IDE connector. It is a good idea to use the Primary IDE connector for your Hard Drives and connect your Optical Drive(s) to the Secondary IDE connector.
1. Back-up all of your important files.
2. Make sure the power is unplugged and press the power button to drain any power from the computer.
3. Follow anti-static procedures, and have your tools at hand. Open the computer case.
4. If you are replacing a Hard Drive then first unplug the Hard Drive power cable and data cable. Unscrew the Hard Drive from the case which is usually held in place with four screws, and remove.
5. Your new IDE Hard Drive has a Jumper Block which allows you to set the Hard Drive up as a Master or Slave. There will be a diagram on the Drive which shows you where to position the jumper.
6. Take your new Hard Drive and fix it to a free 3.5 inch Drive Bay in your computer case making sure the power and data cables will reach okay. The Drive is usually held in with four screws.
7. Next, connect the IDE Data Cable, from the IDE connector on the motherboard to the data connector on the Hard Drive. This ribbon cable has two connectors at one end of the cable for the Drives (Master & Slave) and the connector at the other end plugs into the motherboard. There should be a red line along one side of the cable which has to line up with pin 1 on the Drive' data connector and pin 1 on the motherboard's IDE connector.
8. Connect the Power connector from the Power Supply Unit to the Hard Drive which will only fit one way. Make sure the power and data cable are tidy and away from any fans, and close the computer case.
SATA Hard Drive Upgrade:
Fitting a SATA Hard Drive is much simpler than fitting an IDE Drive as you do not have to set any jumpers as each drive is connected to its own SATA connector on the motherboard. Also both the data and power cables will only fit one way.
In the photograph above, this particular motherboard has four blue SATA2 connectors which run at 3Gb/s and two faster white SATA3 connectors that run at 6Gb/s. If you are installing a SATA3 Hard Drive then it should be connected to the white SATA3 connector on the motherboard to take advantage of the extra speed. On this motherboard you would connect the Hard Drive that contains the Operating System to the white SATA6G_1.
1. Follow the IDE Hard Drive procedure from steps 1 to 4.
2. Take your new Hard Drive and fix it to a free 3.5 inch Drive Bay in your computer case making sure the power and data cables will reach okay. The Drive is usually held in with four screws.
3. Next, connect your SATA Data Cable, from the SATA connector on the motherboard to the data connector on the Hard Drive which will only fit one way.
4. Connect the Power connector from the Power Supply Unit to the Hard Drive which will only fit one way. Make sure the power and data cable are tidy and away from any fans, and close the computer case.
Once the Hard Drive has been fitted then connect the power, monitor, keyboard, and mouse cable to your computer and boot your computer up to the CMOS setup page. Verify that the BIOS can see your new Hard Drive.
If you have fitted a new Hard Drive that needs an Operating System installed then further details can be found here.
