3 Easy Ways To Install A Hard Drive Guide With Pictures

If you want to install a hard drive on a Mac computer, you can take it to an Apple professional and have them help you.

If you want to keep your original hard drive installed, consider adding a second hard drive instead. Alternatively, you can clone an existing hard drive to a newer one. You can back up your data using another hard drive or external device, or using a cloud storage service, like Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, or OneDrive.

SATA drives come in two sizes. 3. 5 inch (8. 9 cm) SATA drives are used in most desktop computers. All-in-one PC monitors may require a 2. 7 inch (6. 9 cm) SATA drive. Solid State Drive (SSD) vs. Hard Disk Drive (HDD): Hard Disk Drives are mechanical disk drives. They are usually slower, but less expensive. Solid-state drives have no moving parts. They are much faster, quieter, and more expensive. You can also purchase a hybrid HDD/SSD drive.

Drive Bays: Some computer cases have a drive bay that you slide the hard drive into and then secure it by fastening it to the chassis with screws. If this is the case, remove the screws and then slide the hard drive out of the drive bay. Drive Cages: In some computer cases, the hard drive is mounted to a metal or plastic drive cage that is then inserted into the computer case. The hard drive may be secured to the drive cage using screws, or it may be a toolless drive cage that uses pins and clips that fasten to the hard drive. If your computer case uses a drive cage, remove the screws or detach the clips that secure it to the computer chassis, and then slide the cage out with the hard drive inside.

Tighten the screws to a firm tightness but don’t over-tighten as that may cause damage as well. If you are using a toolless drive cage, make sure the hard drive is securely fastened to the clips and pins of the mounting bracket.

If you are connecting your primary hard drive, the SATA cable should be plugged into the first SATA channel. This may be labeled SATA0 or SATA1. Refer to your motherboard documentation for detailed information on your motherboard.

Ensure that none of the cables can come undone by wiggling them a little bit.

If you hear beeps or any jarring noises, immediately turn off the computer and check the hard drive’s connections.

Right-click the Windows Start menu and click Disk Management. Locate the new hard drive. It will probably be listed as “Unallocated. " Right-click the new hard drive and click New simple volume. Click Next in the dialog box. Leave the drive space as it is and click Next. Enter a new drive letter (or leave it as it is) and click Next. Click Next and then click Finish.

Additionally, check your warranty. On some laptops, opening your computer and tinkering inside may void your warranty.

Solid State Drive (SSD) vs. Hard Disk Drive (HDD): Hard Disk Drives are mechanical disk drives. They are usually slower, but less expensive. Solid-state Drives have no moving parts. They are much faster, quieter, and more expensive. You can also purchase a hybrid HDD/SSD drive.

Windows - Click the Windows Start menu, click the power icon, and click Shut down. Mac - Click the Apple icon in the menu bar, click Shut Down. . . , and click Shut Down when prompted.

Be careful of any ribbons or cables attached to the motherboard from the bottom panel. If you find any cables or ribbons attached, make a note of where they are attached, and carefully remove them. Many laptops require special screwdrivers, such as Pentalobe models, or a tri-wing screwdriver to unlock the case. Some laptops, such as Mac laptops, will require you to unscrew several screws around the border of the case.

You may also need to disconnect your hard drive from a wire or cable. It’s best to place your old hard drive somewhere safe in case you need to retrieve data off of it.

If you had to remove screws to remove the original hard drive, screw them back in as well.

If you needed to disconnect any ribbons or cables to remove the bottom panel, be sure to reconnect them before closing the laptop.

If you want to keep your original hard drive installed, consider adding a second hard drive instead. You can back up your data using another hard drive or external device, or using a cloud storage service, like Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, or OneDrive.

M. 2 SSDs come in a variety of sizes. This size of the drive is coded using a 4-digit number. For example, a 2280 M. 2 drive is 22x80 mm, and a 2260 M. 2 device is 22x60 mm. 2280 is the most common size for desktop computers. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/0/01/Install-a-Hard-Drive-Step-34Bullet1. jpg/v4-460px-Install-a-Hard-Drive-Step-34Bullet1. jpg”,“bigUrl”:”/images/thumb/0/01/Install-a-Hard-Drive-Step-34Bullet1. jpg/v4-728px-Install-a-Hard-Drive-Step-34Bullet1. jpg”,“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">

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<br />\n</p></div>"} You’ll also need to check if the M. 2 connector slot on your has an M or B key slot. An M. 2 SSD with an M key slot will not fit in a B key connector. Check the manual for your motherboard and make sure the M. 2 SSD you purchase is compatible with your motherboard. [6] X Research source {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/c/c0/Install-a-Hard-Drive-Step-34Bullet2. jpg/v4-460px-Install-a-Hard-Drive-Step-34Bullet2. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/c/c0/Install-a-Hard-Drive-Step-34Bullet2. jpg/v4-728px-Install-a-Hard-Drive-Step-34Bullet2. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">

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Check your warranty before opening your computer. It is possible you may void your warranty by opening it up and tinkering with it.

If the M. 2 drive doesn’t fit into the M. 2 slot, you may be inserting it upside-down, or you may have the wrong size M. 2 drive.