How to Change Jumper Settings on a Hard Drive
For many applications that require using a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), the factory default jumper settings are satisfactory. Under certain circumstances, however, you'll need to change the jumper settings. ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment) hard dives, also known as IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics, or Intelligent Drive Electronics) hard drives, use jumper settings to identify the HDD as "master" or "slave" or can be set to "Cable Select," in which case the HDD position on the IDE cable designates it as master or slave.
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Instructions
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1
Don the anti-static wristband, and then attach the band as appropriate for your work area to discharge static before handling the hard drive.
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2
Locate the jumper pins on your hard drive. The pins are usually on the end of the hard drive adjacent to the data and power connections.
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3
Locate the diagram on your hard drive that shows the jumper placement for the different jumper functions. Note the jumper configuration for the function you wish to employ.
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4
Grasp the jumper with your fingers or with forceps if it cannot be grasped with fingers, and then slide it off the pins.
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5
Orient and align the holes in the jumper with the pins on the hard drive that correspond to the desired function.
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6
Slide the jumper onto the pins until it is seated fully.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are unable to locate the jumper diagram on the hard drive case in Step 3, go to the hard drive manufacturer's website. Do a search on the website for your model of hard drive to pull up a specification sheet which shows the jumper diagram.
Serial ATA (SATA) drives do not have jumper settings as with ATA drives. If there is a jumper setting on a SATA drive, it is generally used to limit the HDD's speed.
Do not handle the hard drive without proper anti-static procedures. Static discharge can permanently damage your hard drive.
