How to Set Up SATA Hard Drives

Installing a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) hard drive is easier compared to its predecessor, the parallel ATA drive. You no longer have to worry about setting up master/slave relationships or configuring jumpers.
With parallel ATA technology, you had to set up these relationships because they shared the same bandwidth. In addition, you had go into the BIOS system to make sure the system detected the drive. This is not the case with SATA drives because they have their own bandwidths. As a result, the data transfers faster.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Philips screwdriver
• SATA hard drive
• Serial ATA interface cable
• Serial ATA power cord
• Windows operating system, which must have FAT32 or NTFS file system
• Antistatic strap

1. Put the antistatic strap around your wrist. Open the computer case.

2. Slide the SATA drive into one of the empty bays. Align the holes on the drive with the holes on the bay, and then use the Philips screw driver to tighten the screws into the holes.

3. Connect one end of the interface cable into the interface connector on your motherboard. Then connect the other end to the back of the SATA drive.

4. Connect the power cable to the hard drive. Put the computer case back on.

5. Turn on your computer. The computer should recognize the SATA drive.

6. Configure the SATA drive in BIOS if your computer does not recognize the drive. Shut down your system and restart it again. Press "F1," "Delete," or "ESC" to get into the BIOS. Refer to your documentation to find out what the right key is. Select the auto detect option so that the system will detect the SATA hard drive. Save your settings and exit out of BIOS.

Tips & Warnings

• Register your SATA drive with its manufacturer. That way, you'll get tips and news on SATA drives.
• Use an antistatic strap to prevent damaging any components in your computer. Don't shake or drop the SATA drive because it's fragile. Hold it by the sides.

Resources

• My Super PC