Introduction
There are four different types of hard disks. These are Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment (PATA), Serial Advanced Technology Attachment, Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), and Solid State Drives (SSD).
Description of equipment
In this discussion, we are going to concentrate on SATA. Consequently, the discussion is going to outline some little information regarding the SATA hard disk, and then proceed to the installation of the same hard disks in the computer. Finally, after installing the hard disk, we are also going to see how a windows operating system can be installed to the hard disk drive.
List of materials and equipment or tools needed
1. A screwdriver, preferably Phillips, and four drive mounting screws, preferably 6-32 UNC.
2. An Interface cable that is compatible to a Serial ATA one-meter in length.
3. An adapter or a power cable that is compatible to a Serial ATA.
4. The Windows version should have NTFS or FAT32 file system.
5. The motherboard should have a Serial ATA connector.
Directions, step by step
a) Precautions during the Installation
1. The drive should not be dropped or jarred since it is fragile.
2. The drive should be handled only by the frame or edges
3. The drives should be kept in a protective container that is anti-static so as to reduce the handling damage before use.
4. The wrist strap should be worn. At the same time, the cable should be earthed.
5. The power that is getting to the host system should be turned off during installation.
6. The drive should not be disassembled since this will mean voiding warranty.
7. The pressure should not be applied to the top of the drive or to the circuit board.
b) Connecting Cables and the drive
1. One end of the cable from drive interface is attached to the connector on the Serial ATA interface on the host adapter on the Serial ATA or on the motherboard. the configuration of the host adapter is as shown below
2. The power cables and the interface are attached to the drive.
3. Using the four 6-32 UNC screws, secure the drive in either the bottom-mounting holes or the side mounting holes. The screws are inserted into the bottom-mounting holes in such a way that they are not more than 0.20 inches. On the other hand, for the side-mounting holes, they should not be more than 0.14 inches.
c) Configuring the Bios
1. The computer is closed and then restarted.
2. For most of the computers, the drive will be detected automatically. However, incase this does not happen, the following steps are used.
1) The computer is restarted. As the computer is restarting, the BIOS is run by pressing DELETE, ESC, or F1 key on the keyboard.
2) The system is instructed to auto detect the new drive . this option is found in the system setup program.
3) The settings are saved and the setup program is exited. The computer will detect the new drive. In case it does not, then go to troubleshooting.
d) Troubleshooting
1. Go to the Main Menu.
2. Look for “Notebook Hard Disk not detected”
3. Then click on New Installation
4. The new SATA drive connected to the computer requires the verification so as to ensure that the hard disk drive is turning up.
5. Verify whether the BIOS has been configured correctly
6. Connect the hard disk drive in a different setting.
