If you have selected a new disk as a result of the hard disk test, then this disk must of course be built into your system. We tell you how to do this in three steps, so that you can quickly get started with the disc. This step-by-step plan can of course also be used for a new SSD.
1. Install disk
As a first step, of course, turn off your PC and disconnect the power and other cables. Place your computer case where you can easily reach it and open the case. Depending on your case, you will need to loosen screws to remove the side panel, unless the manufacturer has devised a screwless click system (which may be covered in the system manual). Look inside your enclosure for the 3.5-inch drive bays. Usually that is somewhere on the front of the case. These positions may be fixed or fitted in a separate rack that you can remove from your system. In the photos we use a housing with a separate rack for the hard drives. An SSD is usually made in 2.5 inches: if you want to install it, you will have to use brackets or a bracket that gives the SSD the same width as a 3.5 inch drive. In the photo, the top drive is an SSD mounted using a bracket.
You build the hard disk in a free position using screws or clamps if present. Above an SSD, below a hard drive.
2. Connect SATA Cable
After you have installed the drive, you will need to connect the necessary cabling. Modern SATA drives can be connected to your system with two cables. The first cable is a SATA power cable and the second cable is a SATA data cable. On both cables, the connector is a flat plug that only fits the connector on the drive in one way. We'll start with the SATA data cable. This is a flat (usually red or orange) cable with two flat connectors that is usually included with your motherboard. However, you can also buy them separately. One end connects to a free SATA connection on your motherboard, it is most convenient to choose the free connection with the lowest number. If you want to use the new disk for the operating system, we would definitely use the port with the lowest number. If another disk is already connected to it, you can connect it to a higher port. Some SATA cables have a metal strip that you must press before you can pull it out of a connector.
Connect the SATA cable to a free SATA port on your motherboard.
3. Connect Cables to Drive
After connecting the SATA data cable to the motherboard, connect the other end to the hard drive. This can only be done in one way because the connector has a notch. Then you need a free SATA power connector. This is a cable that comes from your power supply with a flat black connector. Your power supply may no longer have (free) SATA power connections. There are adapters for this from the Molex connector (a larger power plug with four holes) to the SATA power connector. In addition, you may have a power supply with modular power cables that you only connect when needed. You may then find a suitable cable in the packaging of the power supply. Once you have connected the power cable to your hard drive or SSD, you can screw the housing back on and reconnect the cables to the housing. Check in the BIOS if the PC recognizes the new drive.
You connect the power cable and the SATA cable to the new drive.
