Connect the second hard one. Methods for connecting a second hard drive to a computer

There are four ways to connect a second hard drive to a laptop.

1. The simplest option is when the laptop has a second seat for a hard drive. Unfortunately, this option is very rare - literally in a few models. If your laptop has this capability, you can find out about it from the instructions - and connecting a second drive will not be difficult.

2. There are special adapters designed to connect a hard drive to a laptop, for example: SATA-IDE, SATA-USB, IDE-USB.

They can be used to connect a 3.5" (or 2.5") hard drive from a PC to a laptop - most often via a USB interface. However, due to the versatility of this solution, such an adapter cannot be called very convenient - for example, power for the HDD should be connected with a separate wire .

3. The third method is to use, which connects the hard drive to the laptop via a USB port.

It is enough to insert the hard drive into this container (of course, it is important that the dimensions and connectors of the pocket and the hard drive match) and connect it to the USB port of the laptop. The hard drive is recognized by the operating system as a removable drive, after which you can start working with it. Available for both 2.5" and 3.5" hard drives.

4. You can simply use by connecting via USB 2.0 or Hi-Speed ​​USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt. An additional advantage will be the outer shell of the external drive - it can be shockproof or splashproof, which will allow you to use a second hard drive without fear. In addition, there are protected versions of external drives - with hardware password protection.

There is an alternative way to connect a second hard drive instead of the built-in DVD drive, but few laptops support it. In this case, you will need to disassemble the laptop, remove the DVD drive and replace it with an adapter with the necessary SATA cable. Most often, MacBook laptops from 2008-2012 are subject to this modification. Since it is increasingly rare to find a built-in DVD-ROM in laptops, this method is losing its relevance.

With a desktop computer the situation is much easier than with a laptop, so let's start with it. So, you already know what characteristics to rely on when purchasing, so we’ll leave this topic outside the scope of today’s article.

1. First of all, even before purchasing, you should have figured out what free connectors for connecting drives are available on your motherboard - the old IDE or one of the varieties of SATA (I, II or III).
2. And secondly, what free power connectors are available on the .

Modern hard drives, motherboards and power supplies work with SATA connectors. However, if they are all already occupied on the power supply, then also take care of purchasing a Molex-SATA adapter to connect your second drive to Molex-type power.

If you want to use a second old hard drive with a connection to an “IDE” type motherboard, and your latter is new and no longer has such an input, then we buy an adapter from IDE to SATA.

Another option to connect a hard drive to a computer that does not have a corresponding connector for it is to use a special IDE-SATA PCI controller. Its advantage is that with it you can either connect an old IDE drive to a new board, or a new SATA drive to an old motherboard. It looks like an expansion card that is inserted into a PCI slot on the motherboard and adds support for working with IDE devices. Let me remind you that you can connect two disks or drives to a standard cable at once.

Let's say you have already figured out all your nuances, purchased a second hard drive and, if necessary, adapters, and now you need to install it in the case and connect it to the motherboard and power supply. First, we secure the hard drive in a special basket in the case, or insert it along the guides and secure it with special fasteners or ordinary screws, depending on the type.

After that, we connect the “small” SATA to the corresponding connectors on the back of the drive and on the motherboard, and into the larger SATA socket (for power) we insert either an adapter connected to the cable from the power supply, or directly the power supply cable with a SATA plug. We do this carefully so as not to break the socket on the hard drive, since there is no limiter at the bottom and you can easily break off a piece of the board with the contacts of this connector.

In the screenshot below, green arrows indicate wide SATA arrows that connect the second hard drive to the power supply, and red arrows indicate narrow ones that go to the motherboard.

Yes, do not forget that all connections must be made with the power supply disconnected from the outlet, or with the power switch turned off, if there is one on it. As you can see, there is nothing complicated.

How to install a second hard drive in a laptop?

Is this really possible? Yes, today you can also increase the amount of space not only on a desktop PC, but also on a laptop. And to do this, it is not at all necessary to replace the standard hard drive that is already in the laptop, and therefore you will not have to face all the associated problems, such as transferring files and reinstalling Windows and all programs on a new hard drive.

The second hard drive in the laptop (let me remind you, 2.5 inches in size) is connected using a special adapter, which is installed instead of a laptop DVD drive - you must admit, almost no one uses this device now. And if you need to view discs, you can always use an external one connected via USB.

This is what this adapter, invented (or copied?) by the Chinese, looks like:

In online stores it can be found under the name “2nd SSD HDD HD Hard Disk Driver Caddy SATA for 12.7mm CD / DVD-ROM Optical Bay”. Inside and outside of this adapter there is a connector for connecting a disk and for connecting the adapter itself to the laptop board.

So, we insert the hard drive into the adapter. You may also have to screw the mount yourself to the back of the adapter, through which it will be screwed to the laptop body.

And in its place we insert the adapter and secure it with the same screw. After this, a new hard drive will appear in the “Computer” menu, which after formatting can be fully used.

How to install a small hard drive in a computer?

Speaking about connecting a hard drive, one cannot help but touch upon the problem that users sometimes encounter when they need to install a hard drive or 2.5″ SSD into a computer whose case only has mounts for standard 3.5″ drives. For this case, there are also special adapters in which such a hard drive can be secured and inserted into a regular place under disks of larger diameter.

BIOS does not recognize the second hard drive

Another common problem that you may encounter when you have 2 hard drives installed is that the computer simply does not see one of them. First of all, if you are using an adapter, then this may be the problem. Use known-good adapters.

If you haven’t used it or your adapter is working, then the whole point is in the BIOS settings, namely, the operating mode of the hard drive controller is incorrectly set.

We reboot the computer, go into the BIOS and look for the “SATA Controller” item (or SATA ATA/IDE/Raid Config, Mass Storage Controll or something else like that to set the HDD operating mode). If you connected a drive to the motherboard via a SATA cable and a modern operating system is installed on the computer (Windows Vista, 7, 8 and higher), then the AHCI, IDE, Native or Enchansed position can be activated in this item. Wherein
Only in AHCI mode will the maximum data transfer speed from the disk be achieved.

If there is an older Windows, or if the hard drive was connected, then only IDE, Native or Enchansed.

The disk controllers themselves must also be Enabled. Here are a couple of screenshots from different BIOSes with these settings:

If your computer has 2 hard drives (or a disk + DVD drive) and both of them are connected via IDE cables, then the problem may be that they are not configured correctly with each other. If you have just such a connection and in the BIOS you see the following picture:

then this is your case. In this configuration (when both are connected via IDE), one disk should be Master, that is, the main one, the one on which Windows is located, and the other Slave, that is, secondary.

This priority is configured using a special jumper installed on the contacts on the back of the case.

All possible positions of this jumper and their modes are usually described on a sticker on the disk body. They may differ from one manufacturer to another.

From our table we see that if Windows is installed on the disk and it will be the main one (Master), or if it is used alone, then we put a jumper on the first 2 vertical contacts. If it is secondary (Slave), then remove the jumper altogether.

We do this with our hard drives and go into the BIOS again. Now they will be automatically detected by the motherboard and the following picture should be drawn:

The time has come when one hard drive in a computer is no longer enough. More and more users decide to connect a second HDD to their PC, but not everyone knows how to do it correctly themselves to avoid mistakes. In fact, the procedure for adding a second disk is simple and does not require special skills. It is not even necessary to mount a hard drive - it can be connected as an external device if there is a free USB port.

Connecting a second HDD to a PC or laptop

Options for connecting a second hard drive are as simple as possible:

• Connecting the HDD to the computer system unit.

  Suitable for owners of regular desktop PCs who do not want to have external connected devices.



• Connecting a hard drive as an external drive.

  The easiest way to connect an HDD, and the only one possible for a laptop owner.

Option 1. Installation in the system unit

HDD type determination

Before connecting, you need to determine the type of interface the hard drive works with - SATA or IDE. Almost all modern computers are equipped with a SATA interface, so it is best if the hard drive is of the same type. The IDE bus is considered obsolete and may simply not be present on the motherboard. Therefore, connecting such a drive may cause some difficulties.

The easiest way to recognize the standard is by contacts. This is what they look like on SATA drives:

And this is how the IDE does it:

Connecting a second SATA drive in the system unit

The process of connecting a disk is very easy and takes place in several stages:

Boot priority for SATA drives

The motherboard usually has 4 connectors for connecting SATA drives. They are designated as SATA0 - the first, SATA1 - the second, etc. The priority of the hard drive is directly related to the numbering of the connector. If you need to manually set the priority, you will need to go into the BIOS. Depending on the BIOS type, the interface and controls will be different.

In older versions, go to the section Advanced BIOS Features and work with the parameters First Boot Device And Second Boot Device. In new BIOS versions, look for the section Boot or Boot Sequence and parameter 1st/2nd Boot Priority.

Connecting a second IDE drive

In rare cases, there is a need to install a disk with an outdated IDE interface. In this case, the connection process will be slightly different.

Connecting a second IDE drive to the first SATA drive

When you need to connect an IDE drive to an already working SATA HDD, use a special IDE-SATA adapter.

The connection diagram is as follows:

1. The jumper on the adapter is set to Master mode.


2. The IDE plug connects to the hard drive itself.


3. The red SATA cable is connected on one side to the adapter, and the other to the motherboard.


4. The power cable is connected on one side to the adapter, and on the other to the power supply.

You may need to purchase a 4-pin to SATA adapter.

Initializing the disk in the OS

In both cases, after connecting, the system may not see the connected disk. This does not mean that you did something wrong; on the contrary, it is normal when the new HDD is not visible in the system. The hard drive must be initialized before it can be used. Read about how this is done in our other article.

Option 2. Connecting an external hard drive

Often users choose to connect an external HDD. This is much simpler and more convenient if some files stored on the disk are sometimes needed outside the home. And in the situation with laptops, this method will be especially relevant, since there is no separate slot for a second HDD.

An external hard drive is connected via USB in exactly the same way as another device with the same interface (flash drive, mouse, keyboard).

A hard drive designed for installation in the system unit can also be connected via USB. To do this, you need to use either an adapter/adapter or a special external case for the hard drive. The essence of the operation of such devices is similar - the required voltage is supplied to the HDD through the adapter, and the connection to the PC is made via USB. Hard drives of different form factors have their own cables, so when purchasing you should always pay attention to the standard that specifies the overall dimensions of your HDD.

If you decide to connect the drive using the second method, then literally follow 2 rules: do not neglect to safely remove the device and do not disconnect the drive while working with the PC to avoid errors.

We talked about ways to connect a second hard drive to a computer or laptop. As you can see, there is nothing complicated in this procedure and it is absolutely not necessary to use the services of computer specialists.

When assembling a PC, upgrading it and repairing it, sometimes it is necessary to install a hard drive on the computer. Let's consider the basic rules and requirements that must be taken into account in order to get an excellent result, spending a minimum of time.

Basic steps for installing a hard drive

The most common reason for installing a new hard drive is the failure of the previous one. In this case, the replacement process is surprisingly simple. To begin with, of course, you need to open the cover of the system unit, for which you first unscrew 2 fixing screws on each wall of the back side of the case (it is better to put the screws in plain sight so as not to lose them). Next, you need to disconnect the burnt hard drive from the power cable and data bus, free it from the mounting screws and remove it.

Having it as a sample, go to the store. And having purchased a new analogue, remove the hard drive from the packaging and inspect it to ensure there are no serious external damages or scratches. If you haven’t found one, then proceed to install it. Everything needs to be connected in reverse order. After completing this procedure once, you will already know how to install a hard drive on your computer

It is important to note that all work is performed with the power turned off; also, for convenience, disconnect all cables connected to the PC case and place it on the table.

Features of installing hard drives of different formats

Let's look at how to install a new hard drive if this is your first time doing this. Attaching a hard drive will not be much more difficult, but for those who do not have the relevant experience and are faced with this task for the first time, the information presented will be useful.

First of all, you need to remember that different generations of hard drives have different connection standards, and, accordingly, different connectors.

Installation Rules

If we rely on the opinion of most experts on how to properly install a hard drive, then first we advise you to make sure that the motherboard supports the installed hard drive, and also confirm their compatibility. Some motherboards may have two types at once: SATA and IDE, but usually in such motherboards DVD drives are connected to IDE cables. Although they are also suitable for hard drives.

Previously, in computers, the emphasis was placed on the practice-tested IDE format, which has confirmed its reliability and compatibility with many well-known models. But since technologies are constantly developing, outdated ones are gradually being abandoned, and new, more modern ones are replacing them. With the introduction of the new SATA format, IDE is becoming a thing of the past, and although drives with it are no longer sold, it is still widely used.

Features of formats

The electronic and mechanical basis of both formats is identical, the differences are in the type of interface used. has a maximum of 133 MB/sec. Existing standards SATA1, SATA2 and SATA3 provide up to 150, 300 and 600 MB/sec, respectively.

The advantages of IDE include the ability to connect two devices to one cable (the common one is divided between them), and each SATA device is connected with a separate interface cable.

Another disadvantage of the IDE is the need to manually select and use jumpers to set the modes - Master/Slave, and also to enter into the settings in the BIOS which hard drive should be considered the main one if a second one is connected.

Features of installing a new disk in the system unit

Let's consider the question of how to install a new hard drive. First, you need to insert our hard drive into a specially designated place for it; usually you should look for it closer to the front of the case.

Select its location in the bay to install it where it can best be cooled by PC coolers. Its optimal position is in the center. Install the new hard drive horizontally and secure it firmly. Attach the screws well so that they are located on both sides.

Reliable fastening will prevent vibrations of the hard drive itself during operation. Vibrations for a hard drive that has moving mechanical elements are destructive. In addition, with tight contact between the disk and the case, the walls, like a radiator, remove the heat generated by the hard drive. Next, connect the power and data cables.

How to install a new SATA drive

Unlike an outdated IDE, a more advanced one is much easier to connect to. As we already know, with this standard, each hard drive is connected using a separate cable.

The SATA hard drive interface also has two connectors: narrow and wide. But here the question of how to install a new hard drive lies in the presence of a different connector through which data is transferred from the motherboard, and voltage is supplied through the wide one.

The SATA cable connects to the data connector. They come in different types: straight and angular, without latches and with them. But it is impossible to mix up and plug the cable in the wrong direction, so there is nothing to be afraid of.

The hard drive can be connected to the SATA connector arbitrarily. Although there are variants of the SATA-1, 2 and 3 standards, they differ only in the speed of information transfer and are absolutely compatible both at the level of physical connection and logically.

The second end of the cable is connected to the connector on the motherboard. They can also be angular or straight, and are usually brightly colored and easily recognizable.

Connecting power to the drive

After the most labor-intensive operations have been completed, and we have figured out how to install a new hard drive, now all that remains is to connect it to power.

It is supplied to both IDE and SATA hard drives directly from the PC power supply. It is supplied to IDE drives through Molex connectors, while the SATA standard has its own connector - a wider one.

Keep in mind that SATA power is not always natively present in the set of connectors on the computer's power supply itself. It may turn out that you have a PC with an old model block, and this connector is not there. How to install a hard drive on a computer in this case?

It all depends on the specific model of power supply. In this case, an IDE-SATA adapter will help you. They come in various designs, and sometimes some examples act as splitters for several devices. Basically, that's all you need to know how to install a hard drive on your computer. What if you have one hard drive, but want to add a second one?

How to install a second hard drive

Sometimes a situation arises when, when downloading new files, you suddenly discover that your hard drive does not have the free space necessary for this. Of course, there is a way out - deleting old unnecessary documents and defragmenting, but all these attempts to free up a few hundred megabytes (or at best gigabytes) are only temporary success. After some time, you discover that the disk is again full to capacity, and you have no room for new films or music.

What to do in this case? There are several ways to solve the problem. You can replace your old hard drive with a new one, which has much more memory. How to install a new hard drive has already been described above. But you need to understand that this entails a lot of additional problems. It is necessary to reinstall the OS, and, accordingly, all previously downloaded drivers, applications and programs. You will also have to transfer all important information from the old disk to the new one. A lot of time will be spent on this operation.

But there is another way to solve the problem - purchase a second, additional hard drive. We'll look at how to install a second hard drive below.

Installing an additional SATA hard drive has proven in practice to increase system speed. By interacting with heavy software systems, you can qualitatively feel the superiority of the new format. Applications and programs do not slow down at all, and loading occurs instantly. In addition, the energy consumption and power of SATA drives are minimal, which practically does not lead to possible overheating of the hard drives.

How to connect a second hard drive?

The procedure for connecting a second, additional hard drive is no different from how to install a hard drive on a computer for the first time, and corresponds to the previously described process.

When connecting a second IDE hard drive, there is a small nuance - a jumper. You need to set its status using a special jumper. For the main hard drive it must be set to the Master position, and for the additional one - to the Slave position. With new SATA format drives this is no longer necessary.

Each hard drive in the system unit has its own compartment. You only need to make sure that the distance between the installed devices is sufficient to ensure good ventilation. Do not place them close to each other; it is better to leave a free span. If it is not possible to distribute two disks on different shelves, you can install an additional fan to prevent overheating of the media, which negatively affects the durability of the elements and the safety of your information.

After this, carefully secure each hard drive to the case to avoid vibration. If they still appear after turning on the second hard drive, this indicates an obvious problem. Vibrations threaten you with hard drive errors and the possibility of losing information. Therefore, do not neglect the fasteners. This will help reduce the possibility of vibration as much as possible.

What to pay attention to after installation

Recently, appropriate instructions have begun to be supplied with the hard drive, which tells how to install a hard drive on a computer, so if you look there additionally, there should be no difficulties in the process. After the work has been done, take care not only to connect the cables correctly, but to lay them carefully so that they do not stick out. If possible, move them further inside and, if necessary, secure them with electrical tape or plastic ties.

Additional;

Select which hard drive will be the main one, that is, the active one from which the operating system will boot. Determine the order by installing small jumpers in the appropriate positions according to the diagrams shown directly on each hard drive.

Turn on your computer and go to BIOS settings. If the hard drives are not detected automatically, identify them manually with the appropriate command. Then save the changes and exit the BIOS.

Video on the topic

Sources:

• how to install a second hard drive
• How to connect a second hard drive

To connect to computer as a second hard disk of an external device designed to operate via a USB port, you just need to insert the connecting wire into the corresponding connectors on the bodies of both devices. The process of installing a stationary hard disk as the second main drive in the system unit of your computer. The sequence of actions for this option is described below.

Instructions

Shut down the operating system, turn off the computer, and disconnect the network cable. Position the system unit in such a way that you have free access to both of its side surfaces.

Remove both side panels. As a rule, to do this, it is enough to unscrew two screws connecting them to the back panel, and then move them 5 centimeters back and put them somewhere not very far.

Install the new hard drive into one of the free slots in the case. Do this carefully so as not to accidentally disconnect the wires, which are abundant inside the case. The connectors for connecting power should be on the motherboard side, and the hard drive is secured with four screws - two on each side of the system unit case. Use an already installed hard drive as a sample for placement and fastening.

Connect the power cable and data cable (“cable”) between the new hard drive and the motherboard. These wires differ depending on the type of hard drive being installed (IDE or SATA), but in any case, their connectors are asymmetrical in shape and the connectors can only be inserted in one way, so you cannot make a mistake. An already installed hard drive will help you find the necessary slots on the motherboard - the connectors you are looking for should be located next to those used to connect it. On hard drive cases that use the IDE bus, there are jumpers that are used to establish a hierarchy of disks installed in the computer - one of them must be designated as primary, and all the rest as secondary. However, in most cases there is no need to use them, since the BIOS is able to figure out the device configuration itself with the jumpers set by default.

Make sure that you have not damaged anything inside the system case during the installation process or forgotten any tools in it. Do not rush to close the case - you should first check the result of the operation performed. Connect all the necessary wires, the last of which should be the network cable. Then turn on your computer and go into the BIOS settings to make sure it can recognize the new device. After this, turn off the computer and replace the side surfaces of the system unit.

Sources:

• how to connect a drive to a computer in 2019