How to Install a Second Harddrive
There are several reasons why you may wish to install a second hard drive. You could want to have more storage space for media and music. Or you may wish to install more games and playable demos to try out. Installing a second hard drive can be a breeze if you know what you are doing. In a few simple steps, a second hard drive can be installed with ease.
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Instructions
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1
Remove the screws from the back of your tower on the right side. Only one panel needs to be removed to install your second hard drive.
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2
Check the jumpers on the back of your second hard drive. These are removable pins that need to be set in the "Slave" position. This is different with every hard drive; however you should have a diagram explaining your jumper settings directly on top of the second drive. You can move the jumpers around with a pair of tweezers if your fingernails are not long enough to remove them.
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3
Secure your second hard drive in place inside the tower. The drive might have come with screws to fasten the drive inside the tower. If it did not, you can use small screws to help secure the hard drive. There should be plenty of space to add this new drive. However, the hard drive needs to be conveniently located near the power connectors and the IDE cable. The power connector is the wires that comes off the power supply and the IDE cable is connected to the motherboard.
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4
Insert the power connector. This is the piece that comes from the tower's power supply. It has a flat, white end that has wires protruding out of it. Connect that to the small pin section on the hard drive. This needs to be on the second connector that is plugged into your master hard drive.
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5
Connect the IDE cable. Look at the long, flat gray cable that is attached to the master hard drive. There should be three connectors on one IDE cord. The end ones should be plugged into the motherboard and the master hard drive. The middle connector will need to be placed inside the slave hard drive. This may be difficult to plug in, but take your time and you will get it.
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6
Replace the panel of the tower. You will need to use your screwdriver to screw in the screws that were taken out previously.
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7
Turn on your computer. You will not need to install an operating system on the slave drive. It is going to be used for storage and programs only.
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Tips & Warnings
If you turn on your computer and you hear a series of beeps, are unable to get to windows or the computer is not reading the second hard drive, check you IDE cord. Some older cords go in both ways but the hard drive will only work one way. Remove the panel and turn around the IDE cord that is placed inside the slave drive.
