Replacing Computer Hard Drives

Have you run out of storage space in your computer?

Perhaps it's time for a bigger hard drive!

Hard Disk External

In this article you'll find out how to replace your current hard drive.

Replacing Computer Hard Drives

In actuality the computer wouldn't even run without a hard disk drive, its BIOS or basic operating system would be looking for it the minute you turned it on.

The hard disk drive is a sealed unit with multiple rigid magnetic disks inside.
It is sealed to prevent any foreign particles from entering inside it, which would render the drive useless.
Hard disk drives come in many sizes, anywhere from a few hundred megabytes to several gigabytes.

Now that's what I call a memory bank!

I wish I had one of these babies in my head, then I'd never forget anything again.

Obviously you'd want to get a large enough hard drive for your needs.

Like memory modules, the bigger the better.

But remember, the larger the hard drive the more it will cost you.

There are currently 3 types of HARD DRIVES:

IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics).

EIDE (Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics) and,

SCSI (Small Computer Serial Interface) - A SCSI expansion card is needed.

The most popular being the EIDE drive.

Most current motherboards support EIDE drives, but check your motherboard owner's manual to be sure.

On the back of the hard drive you'll notice 2 connectors.

The smaller one is to supply DC power to the drive.

The larger one is used for data communications to and from the computer.

You'll also notice there are jumpers, much like your motherboard and expansion boards.

If this is the only hard drive in your system you'll want to set it as your master drive.

Most of the time the drive will be already configured at the factory for master drive # 1.

Connect one of the remaining power leads from the power supply to the DC power connector on the drive.

The power connector is keyed so it will only fit one way.

Connect the larger flat ribbon cable to the motherboard and to the data connector on the drive, making sure the dotted colored edge goes to pin # 1 (usually near the power connector).

Slide the drive into one of the bays and secure it with 4 Phillips screws using a non-magnetic screwdriver only!

To remove or replace the drive, simply reverse the procedure.

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Hard Disk External