How to Change a Backup Drive to a Normal Drive

Setting your secondary or backup drive to function as the primary drive doesn't require a lot of work and can be extremely valuable in the restoration of a crashed system. Whether your hard drive has crashed or you simply want to move a backup drive to the primary position, a simple change to jumper pins on the back of your hard drive can help you accomplish this task.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Phillips head screwdriver Hard drive jumper cap (optional)

1. Shut down the computer containing the backup drive you wish to set to the primary position.

2. Disconnect all the cables attached to your computer and then sit it on a cleared work surface--such as a table or a counter.

3. Remove the case screws from the edges of the back of your computer.

4. Slide the casing off the sides of your computer to reveal its internal components. Your hard drive will be located in the metal drive bay adjacent to your computer's motherboard.

5. 
    

   Remove the jumper pin from the current primary drive--the primary drive will have a jumper cap placed over two of the drive's jumper pins, while the secondary drive will not.

6. Place the jumper cap on the backup hard drive's jumper pins in primary, or "master" position--consult the chart printed on the drive for specifics on the cap's placement.

7. Replace the computer's case, screws and cables.

Tips & Warnings

• Before working with your computer's internal components, discharge any static collected by your clothing by rubbing your hands against a metal area of your computer's frame.

References

• Picture of a Jumper Cap

Resources

• Picture of a Jumper Cap