How to Install SATA Drivers Using USB

If you purchase a SATA hard drive, you must have the correct drivers to install it in your computer. Loading the drivers on a USB flash key and attaching it to your computer provides the bridge to get your SATA drive and the motherboard in direct communication.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• USB flash key
• Windows installation disc

1. Turn on your computer and open the DVD drive tray. Place a Windows Vista or Windows 7 installation disc in your tray. Power your computer off and on. Your system will ask you to press any key to boot to a CD or DVD.

2. Press any key on your keyboard and the OS begins to load the Windows files into memory.

3. Choose your language and click the "Install Now" button to begin installing Windows Vista/7.

4. Type a legal product key and accept Microsoft's End User license Agreement.

5. Choose the path where you want to install Windows. You can accept the defaults and click "Load Driver" from the lower left-hand corner.

6. Insert a USB flash key in the computer. The flash key should have the correct drivers on it that you downloaded from the vendors site. For example, if the vendor is Seagate, you would go to their website and download the specific SATA driver needed for communication.

7. Click OK and Windows searches the media for the correct driver. When it detects the driver, select the correct driver and Windows continues installing the new OS. You have successfully loaded your SATA driver via USB.

References

• Windows XP does not support loading SATA drivers via USB
• Loading Windows Vista