How to Install a Sata Hard Drive to an Old Motherboard With Ide Ports Only
Open left panel ( left panel while facing the front of the tower) of your computer case., Identify an locate a PCI slot open to place your PCI Sata controller card #Wear anti static gloves or wrist band to avoid discharging an electrostatic shock,if...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Open left panel ( left panel while facing the front of the tower) of your computer case.
You will need to remove the two rear Phillips head screws holding the tower panel to access the interior of the computer. -
Step 2: Identify an locate a PCI slot open to place your PCI Sata controller card #Wear anti static gloves or wrist band to avoid discharging an electrostatic shock
If you can, avoid working near carpeted areas. , Use the screwdriver to twist it slightly an pry it off do not lean the screwdriver on any electronic component while doing this step, doing so may damage your computer.
Sharp edges of the aluminum tab can cut skin , Align the PCI Sata controller pins with the PCI Slot on the motherboard.
Always double check and make sure they are properly aligned.
Once aligned delicately press down on the edge of the PCI Sata controller card.
Avoid touching any of the chips and circuits with your fingers.
Pressing too hard on them may break them off , If your uncertain then pull it out and try again.
Make sure you press down evenly this will avoid being half in and half out of the slot.
The image below is an example of a PCI Sata Controller card. , You can test this step by pushing very lightly on the outside of the tower upon the silver tab of the PCI Sata controller card, simply press inwards if its not solid it will pop out of the PCI slot.
If this happens start back at Step
4. , The driver usually comes with the card if you do not have the driver you can find the serial number of the controller card on to its board, search that serial number on the internet and find the driver for the PCI sata controller card. , Take the hard drive you wish to install and place it into an empty hard drive bay of your computer tower.
Make it solid by screwing both opposite side with computer screws (Screws usually come with the hard drive).
Make sure it is solid and will not move.
Your hard drive bays are usually at the front of the tower below your CD/DVD Rom drive.
This location can change depending on your tower. , The image below is an example of s Sata Connector cable. , If you do not you will need an adapter that plugs into the older 4 pin power connector and converts into a Sata power connector.
The image below is an example of an adapter. , Verify that your computer has recognized your new hard drive.
You can do this in several different ways if your comfortable in the bios menu you can verify there.
Also in the Computer Management program in windows XP.
This program is located under Control panel/ Administrative tools/ Computer management.
Once in the program you will see a list of hard drives for your computer under the “Disk management” tab. , Depending on which Operating system you use you will have different instructions at this point.
If you verified your drive through the computer management program, the disk management tab will display your drive, right click on it and select create partition.
Once partition is made go to “My computer” and the drive will appear.
Right click on the new partitioned drive and select format disk.
Some Older Operating systems will not accept the entire space of the newer hard drives, you may need to partition the new drive into two or three partitions to access its full potential. -
Step 3: if you do not have these items simply lean your elbows against the frame of the tower while working inside the computer
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Step 4: this will halt any static that can discharge from your fingers and ground you while you work.
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Step 5: Remove the aluminum tab from the rear of the tower.
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Step 6: Place the silver bracket of the PCI Sata controller card loosely into the slot on the side of the tower.
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Step 7: You will feel it slide and come to a stop
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Step 8: when it stops then it is in place.
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Step 9: Once the PCI sata controller card is in place
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Step 10: fasten it to the tower with a screw make sure it is solid and will not fall out of its slot.
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Step 11: Boot the computer and install the driver for the Sata controller card.
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Step 12: Turn off the computer and remove the power cable from the tower.
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Step 13: Plug your Sata cable into the PCI Sata controller card and the other end into your Sata hard drive.
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Step 14: If your power supply has the Sata power cables then plug one into your new hard drive.
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Step 15: Power up and boot your computer.
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Step 16: Partition the drive and format the drive.
Detailed Guide
You will need to remove the two rear Phillips head screws holding the tower panel to access the interior of the computer.
If you can, avoid working near carpeted areas. , Use the screwdriver to twist it slightly an pry it off do not lean the screwdriver on any electronic component while doing this step, doing so may damage your computer.
Sharp edges of the aluminum tab can cut skin , Align the PCI Sata controller pins with the PCI Slot on the motherboard.
Always double check and make sure they are properly aligned.
Once aligned delicately press down on the edge of the PCI Sata controller card.
Avoid touching any of the chips and circuits with your fingers.
Pressing too hard on them may break them off , If your uncertain then pull it out and try again.
Make sure you press down evenly this will avoid being half in and half out of the slot.
The image below is an example of a PCI Sata Controller card. , You can test this step by pushing very lightly on the outside of the tower upon the silver tab of the PCI Sata controller card, simply press inwards if its not solid it will pop out of the PCI slot.
If this happens start back at Step
4. , The driver usually comes with the card if you do not have the driver you can find the serial number of the controller card on to its board, search that serial number on the internet and find the driver for the PCI sata controller card. , Take the hard drive you wish to install and place it into an empty hard drive bay of your computer tower.
Make it solid by screwing both opposite side with computer screws (Screws usually come with the hard drive).
Make sure it is solid and will not move.
Your hard drive bays are usually at the front of the tower below your CD/DVD Rom drive.
This location can change depending on your tower. , The image below is an example of s Sata Connector cable. , If you do not you will need an adapter that plugs into the older 4 pin power connector and converts into a Sata power connector.
The image below is an example of an adapter. , Verify that your computer has recognized your new hard drive.
You can do this in several different ways if your comfortable in the bios menu you can verify there.
Also in the Computer Management program in windows XP.
This program is located under Control panel/ Administrative tools/ Computer management.
Once in the program you will see a list of hard drives for your computer under the “Disk management” tab. , Depending on which Operating system you use you will have different instructions at this point.
If you verified your drive through the computer management program, the disk management tab will display your drive, right click on it and select create partition.
Once partition is made go to “My computer” and the drive will appear.
Right click on the new partitioned drive and select format disk.
Some Older Operating systems will not accept the entire space of the newer hard drives, you may need to partition the new drive into two or three partitions to access its full potential.
About the Author
Kayla Miller
A passionate writer with expertise in organization topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.
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