Replacing Hard Drives

If you've never had a computer hard drive go bad, you can consider yourself lucky. But, if you're like many people, this has just happened to you and you now need to replace it. Because you are more lucky than you realized, you're about to learn that replacing hard drives in a desk top computer is a job that most anyone can do. And this job does not require any special training. Because replacing hard drives isn't all that difficult, this is what you'll need to do to change yours.

Things You'll Need

• #2 Phillips screwdriver
• New hard drive

Instructions

1. Open your computer case using the Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws holding it in place. Make sure you do this in an area where there is plenty of light. Any desk, table or counter should be fine. Once you can see inside find the component that looks like the hard drive you are going to install. Notice, there are two screw holes on each side of the hard drive you are holding. There are also two holes in each side of the old one too, so make sure you can get to both sides easily. Make sure you can see the two wiring sets attached to the old hard drive.

2. Remove the electrical wiring going to the old hard drive. Notice the shape of the square plug; it has rounded corners on one end so it will only go in one way. Watch the big ribbon cable as you remove it--see the nipple on the wide connector. This will also, only, plug in one way. If you can get to both sides of your hard drive, remove the screws holding it inside the case. Pull it straight out but don't get tangled in any of the wires.

3. Look at both hard drives and see the small plastic bar across the pins that are directly between the wiring cables you just removed. This is the Jumper that tells your hard drive what to do according to the position it is placed in in your computers' operating sequence. Look at the legend printed on the case of each hard drive for anything that says Master, Slave or CS (cable select). The position or placement could be different for each hard drive depending on manufacturer or memory size. Make sure both Jumpers are in the same position, Master, Slave or CS.

4. Install the new hard drive in the same way you just removed the old one. Make sure the electrical cables are facing the right way and the retaining screws are snug then re-install the cover and your done.