How to Set Up Two or More Hard Drives

Multiple hard drives are good for keeping back up files on hand.

With the prices of hard drives falling and the need for extra space rising, it makes sense to install multiple hard drives. Whether you're looking for more space for your media, an extra hard drive for back up or even a second hard drive for installing a second operating system, the process of opening your computer and adding a second hard drive is a fairly uncomplicated procedure.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver, Philips or Flathead
• Additional hard drives
• Data cable
• Power cable splitter
• Jumpers

Instructions

1. Obtain a hard drive that will be compatible with your current hardware. Most computers have used IDE or ATA drives in the past; you can identify IDE drives by the their large 40-pin data ribbons. Serial ATA (SATA) is newer technology, using smaller cables with faster data transfer rates.

2. Turn off and unplug your computer. You may have to remove additional cables to remove your computer's case, but this will vary from case to case.

3. Remove your computer's case. Most cases have screws on the back that attach the side panels; you can remove these screws and slide the left side panel back in order to access the components. However, some cases require that you remove the front of the case using a clasp and slide the panel forward. Consult your computer's manual for details on removing your case.

4. Disconnect all cables from your current hard drive.

5. Locate the hard drive, usually located toward the bottom front of the computer within a metal casing. Unscrew this casing from the computer.

6. Set the jumpers on IDE drives. The jumper can be found between the power and IDE connections. You will want to set a secondary hard drive as the primary slave drive. Check your user manual for jumper setting details. SATA hard drives do not have jumper settings.

7. Slide your new hard drive into the empty space in the casing and screw it in securely.

8. Attach all necessary power and data cables to your hard drives. If you are using single cords with multiple connectors, make sure that the connectors at the end of the cable are inserted in the master drive, and the next in the slave.

9. Screw the casing back on to the computer, making sure that it is secure.

10. Plug in and boot up the computer; leaving the left side panel off for this step allows you easy access should you have to reposition some connectors.

11. Enter your BIOS. On most boot screens there is a small text alert telling you which button to press to access the BIOS. Make sure that your computer is seeing both hard drives; you may have to select the new slave drive manually. If your computer does not detect the new drive at all, make sure that all connections are secure and that your jumper is correctly set.

12. Turn off and close your computer case once all your drives are being properly detected.

13. Reboot your computer and install any software that may have come with your hard drive. In Windows, you may be required to format the new drive by accessing it the Disk Management tool.

Tips & Warnings

• Many hard drive power and data cables have secondary connectors available for attaching to a second hard drive.

• Do not add and remove components to your computer while the computer is turned on or plugged in; doing so creates the risk of electrical shock.

References

• PC Mech: Installing A Hard Drive -- Step by Step
• PC Magazine: Hard Drive Update