As with any other hardware install, gathering the correct tools for the job beforehand can save serious time and effort later on. Here is a short list of the items you will need for the hard drive install:
- Hard Drive
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Hard Drive Mounting Screws
- Container for Screws
- User Manual or Print-out Detailing Jumper Settings (for current and new drives)
- ATA data cable (80-pin ATA-66/100 if required)
- Proprietary or Custom Software (if required)
- Boot Disk (with FDISK and FORMAT)
This is also the time to determine exactly what duty the new hard drive will perform. With a bare system, the new unit will logically be the boot drive, but with upgrades you have several options. Each IDE channel will support two devices, and depending on the motherboard or the presence of an additional IDE adapter card, you may be able to use up to eight IDE devices.
The motherboard's system BIOS also has a role to play in hard drive support. Many motherboard vendors have released new BIOS revisions to take advantage of increasing hard drive capacities and to recognize the larger sizes. If you are planning on adding a new IDE drive of 40 GBs or larger, then confirming the necessary BIOS support is recommended.
Backing up data is a very important step, but is also one that many forget to perform. A full data backup can be performed using high capacity devices such as tape drives, CD-R/RW, Zip and Jazz drives, or 120 MB floppies. If you just have a standard PC without any of these extras, in the very least you should still copy important documents and other created files over to standard floppy disk.
This step involves unhooking all the cords and connectors from the PC, along with opening the case totally. To attach a hard drive you will need full access to both sides of the case, so all side panels should be removed. The hard drive installation should be performed in a clean working environment, away from any potentially damaging equipment or areas of high static electricity. Hard drives are very susceptible to electrical current, so use a grounding wrist strap or have a metal device (office chair, filing cabinet, etc.) handy to discharge static electricity. Although hard drive manufacturers quote specifications relating to the amount of impact force these devices can reputedly take, please handle a hard drive with care, as this is not the time to put the manufacturer's claims to the test.