Hard drive connection diagram. Connecting a hard drive via USB, step-by-step instructions. How to connect an old IDE hard drive to a new computer

Before we figure out how to install a hard drive (hard drive), let's remember that we have already touched on this topic in an article on computers. Have you reminded yourself? Great! Then we’ll figure out further how to install the hard drive.

Installing a hard drive is not a complicated procedure. First of all, you should remember that, like other computer components, hard drives of different generations have different physical connection standards. Different connectors.

The most common now are the IDE standards (outdated, but still widely used) and the SATA standard (its different versions). Each of these types of hard drives has its own specific outputs and special cables (“loops”) for data transfer.

Let's see how to install a SATA hard drive. The photo below shows a typical representative of this family of hard drives. Circled in the image are the power connectors (larger) and the data cable connector (smaller).

The data cable itself for this type of device looks like this:

For hard drives of the “IDE” standard, the data cables and power connectors of the hard drive itself look different. Look at the picture below. Data cable connector - (larger) and power cable - (smaller).

Accordingly, the data cable (“cable”) for this type of hard drive will look like this:

When installing an “IDE” disk, pay attention to the position of the “keys” (they are indicated in the screenshot above) on the “cable” and the motherboard. These protrusions on the cable ensure that it cannot be connected incorrectly. So connect carefully! Doesn't work? - Do not press harder, but once again make sure that you are connecting the cable the correct way and then you will install the hard drive without bent pins or wasted nerve cells :)

Now let's see how to install the hard drive from the motherboard itself. Hard drives of an outdated standard are connected to the corresponding connectors (“IDE” channels). More than two “IDE” devices cannot be connected on one “channel” (for example: two hard drives or one and a DVD-ROM).

In the figure below we see these same “IDE” channels (controllers) on the motherboard: primary- "blue" and secondary- "black". They are also called " Primary" And " Secondary" Notice the holes in the middle of both connectors. They precisely match the protrusions of the “keys” on the data cable and ensure correct connection of the device.

As we already know, SATA hard drives are connected using their own data cable.

The drive is connected to an arbitrary “SATA” connector of the controller on the motherboard. It should be noted that there are several SATA standards: “SATA1”, “SATA2” and “SATA3”. They differ in data transfer speed, but are fully compatible with each other logically and at the physical connection level.

Power for both “IDE” and “SATA” drives is supplied directly from the computer’s power supply. It comes to “IDE” drives through the so-called “Molex” connectors (in the photo below they are on the right), and for the “SATA” standard there is its own connector (in the photo on the left).

Please note that “SATA” power may initially be present in a set of connectors directly on the computer’s power supply itself, or it may be connected to it through a special “IDE” to “SATA” power adapter (in the figure above - on the left). Here everything depends on the design of the power supply.

The hard drive is installed in a specially designated place in the case. Here, for example, is how the DVD-ROM, floppy drive and hard drive are located in the system. Hard drive is at the very bottom :)

The photo shows the screws that secure the devices. It is highly desirable that the mounting screws be located on both sides of the device (to do this, of course, you will have to remove the side cover also on the opposite side of the system unit).

Reliable fastening, first of all, prevents vibration of the hard drive itself during its operation (vibration for a working hard drive with its moving mechanical elements inside is VERY undesirable!). Also, when the disk is in close contact with the case walls, the latter act as an additional radiator, removing the heat generated by the hard drive.

The photo above also shows that the hard drive and DVD-ROM are connected to one “IDE” channel data transmission (serially connected by one “IDE” cable) and powered by “Molex” connectors of the power supply.

In conclusion, I want to say a few words about a question that often worries newcomers and sounds something like this: hard drive flashes constantly or - " hard drive light" :) Well, let's start with the fact that it is not a light that is blinking, but an LED located on the front panel of the system unit and connected to the motherboard using a cable marked with the “HDD LED” connector.

"LED" means light-emitting diode. Its very blinking indicates that the hard drive is being accessed (it is busy with operations of reading, moving or deleting information), in general, the computer has not frozen and is working :) By the intensity and frequency of blinking, you can indirectly determine the degree of load on your hard drive.

There are situations (especially on older computers) when the indicator on the front panel not only flashes periodically and lights up for a relatively short time, but “lights” almost constantly over a long period of time. Moreover, any user action is accompanied by serious “brakes” on the part of the operating system. This is a sure sign that the computer does not have enough RAM to solve the task and it is forced to “dump” part of the information from it to the hard drive in the so-called “swap file” or - “ swap file".

But this is a completely different story, and does not directly relate to the question of how to install a hard drive :)

Good day everyone, my dear friends. Today I want to tell you about how to connect a hard drive via USB to a computer or laptop. Personally, I had this question when I replaced it on my laptop, after which the old “hard” remained restless, although fully functional. Therefore, I hasten to please you. If you have such a device, then you can make an excellent mobile data storage out of it.

There is, however, one small condition. These methods are only suitable for more or less modern hard drives with an interface of at least SATA.

Cam Box - This is (as you understand) a certain box (plastic or metal), inside of which there is a special slot for a particular disk. Naturally, it is worth noting that there are boxes for both large HDDs (3.5) and small ones (2.5), which go under laptops.

The HDD is simply inserted into the box, and after assembly it will be no different from a regular external hard drive. After that, you just need to insert a USB cable into it and connect it to your computer. This way you get double benefits:

• You bring an old device back to life and use it;
• You practically get an external HDD for free

On such media you can store any backup and archival copies, or use it in everyday life.

All the fun will cost you an average of 300-500 rubles.

Adapter (SATA-USB)

The easiest and least expensive way is to purchase a special SATA-USB adapter. The adapter itself is a cable, at one end of which there is a connector for connecting a disk, and at the other end there is a USB port.

Well, I think you guessed what needs to be done in this case. Yes, it's simple. Connect the hard drive to the connector, and insert the other end into the USB port of your computer or laptop.

But it’s just worth considering that conventional HDDs (3.5) may not have enough power from one USB cable, so purchase a cable with two connectors and use them simultaneously.

Depending on the company and the quality of the product, such cables will cost you approximately 200-600 rubles.

Dock station

The most expensive, but very effective option is to purchase a docking station. These devices are somewhat reminiscent of old consoles like Dendy or Sega. The similarity is that instead of connectors for cartridges, there are connectors for HDDs. All you have to do is simply insert the hard drive into this station, and then connect it via USB to the computer.

Such devices come in different types, and in many cases you can work not only with one disk, but with several at once, even of different form factors (2.5 and 3.5).

The cheapest options with one device will cost you no less than 1000 rubles, or even more. More powerful stations cost 3 and 4 thousand rubles each.

As you can see, there are enough ways to connect a hard drive via USB to a computer, for every taste and color. So you no longer have to leave all your devices unattended.

Well, this is where I end my article. I hope you liked it, so don't forget to subscribe to my blog updates and also share blog articles on social networks. Good luck to you. Bye bye!

Best regards, Dmitry Kostin

If you learn how to solve a simple problem like connecting a hard drive to a computer, you can repair a capricious device yourself or install an additional hard drive to increase the internal memory. For installation work, you will need a simple screwdriver and general knowledge about the simple structure of the system unit.

Winchester, HDD, and hard drive are different names for the same data storage device. On this drive, all information is stored permanently; it does not disappear after the power is turned off and can be deleted by the user. This is where you drop your music, TV series, photos and valuable documents. If you know how to connect a hard drive to a computer, then even if your PC is seriously damaged, you will be able to remove the HDD and transfer important data to other devices in just a few minutes.

How to connect a hard drive to a computer:

1. Turn off the system side and disconnect all wires.
2. Remove the side cover of the system unit.
3. Having reached the inside of your PC, pay attention to the lower right zone, here are the compartments for mounting the HDD.
4. We insert the hard drive into the free slot and screw it to the frame with screws on both sides.
5. We make sure that the necessary connectors always face the inside of our block.
6. The next stage of the task “How to connect a hard drive to a computer” is connecting the drive to the motherboard and power. For this purpose, there are cables in SATA or IDE format.
7. The power and interface connectors on the hard drive are located next to each other, but they differ in size, and it is impossible to confuse them.
8. It is advisable to connect the cables carefully until they stop; in case of an error, turn the connector over to the correct side.
9. The connectors on the motherboard are located at the bottom and in most cases are labeled.
10. Connect the end of the power cable to the hard drive.
11. Close the system unit with the lid and connect the peripheral cables.
12. When you turn it on, sometimes the new HDD is not detected, then you need to find it in the “Disk Management” section, format it, and assign its name.

How to connect a second hard drive to a computer?

All blocks have several HDD slots located vertically one above the other. We mount the hard drive according to the same rules as in the previous instructions. In the standard version, several cables extend from the power supply, so the problem of how to connect two hard drives at the same time is easily solved. Otherwise, you will have to purchase an inexpensive splitter.

Computer disks measuring 3.5″ and 25 mm high will not fit inside a laptop; HDDs measuring 2.5″ and 9.5 mm high are used for this purpose. To replace or install a new drive, you need to turn the laptop over, disconnect the battery and remove the cover, freeing access to the hard drive. Next, unscrew the mounting screws and we can remove the old drive or proceed directly to connecting the new drive.

How to connect an additional hard drive to a laptop:

1. We place the chassis with the hard drive in the niche, connect it, pressing it all the way.
2. We secure the hard drive to the bottom of the laptop with special screws.
3. Install the battery.

How to connect a second hard drive to a laptop?

Many users have a desire to increase the memory of their device, but the size of a thin laptop does not allow this to be done in a convenient way, as on a personal computer. There are several ways to implement this idea; you need to understand the components and choose the right option. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake about which SATA to connect the second hard drive to; in most versions, the devices are equipped with only one connector for the drive and a connector for the DVD drive.

Options for connecting a second hard drive to a laptop:

1. In rare models there is a slot for a second hard drive.
2. We use adapters SATA-USB, SATA-IDE, IDE-USB. We supply power to the device with an additional cord.
3. The use of factory containers for HDDs, which allow connecting the drive via a USB port. When buying this adapter pocket, you need to know the size of your disk; there are versions for 2.5 inches and 3.5 inches.
4. Purchasing a ready-made laptop computer.
5. Remove the DVD drive and install a second hard drive in its place.

How to connect an external hard drive to a laptop?

This method of expanding memory has significant advantages; you do not need to disassemble the device and use special adapters, so even beginners can quickly solve the problem of how to connect a hard drive to a laptop. We buy an external drive and get to work. Please note that some models are powered from the mains and require a separate power supply.

How to connect a hard drive to a mobile computer:

1. Connect power to the external drive.
2. Connect the USB cable to the hard drive.
3. Connect the second end of the USB cable to a free port.
4. When the indicator lights up, the HDD is ready for operation.
5. The disk is displayed on the laptop monitor.

The way devices interact changes over time, new formats are constantly emerging, which leads to problems of how to connect a new HDD to a personal computer or laptop. The ports and connection cables from the old device are often not sized to fit the new hard drive. There are three main types of interfaces that are actively used on mobile or desktop PCs; it will not be difficult for a modern user to understand them.

SATA computers use reliable 7-pin connectors for the data bus and 15-pin connectors for power connections. They are reliable and are not afraid of multiple connections. When it comes to the question of how many hard drives can be connected to a computer, it all depends on the number of ports on the motherboard. Interface cables to the disk and motherboard are connected in the same way. There are several versions of SATA with different bandwidths:

• SATA I – 1.5 Gbit/s;
• SATA II – 3 Gbit/s;
• SATA III – 6 Gb/s;

IDE interfaces have been used since the 80s, their bandwidth is small by today's standards - up to 133 MB/s. Now they have been replaced everywhere by new versions of high-speed SATA ports. IDE devices are found mainly on budget motherboards and low-cost PCs. Due to the fact that users still have plenty of old-style drives, they have to solve the problem of their compatibility. The best option is to connect an IDE hard drive to a new generation cable without installing additional drivers - use a modern SATA-IDE adapter.

The easiest way to work is with a special external USB drive, which does not require additional devices. If you connect a standard HDD from a PC or laptop, you need an adapter. It looks like a box made of a metal or plastic case; when assembled, this device differs little from a standard external hard drive. A 3.5-inch drive is often connected without a box, using a direct adapter cable. If one hard drive is not enough, then the problem of how to connect the HDD to the computer can be solved using a docking station for several disks.

Buy an internal SATA hard drive. Do this if you don't already have such a disk.

• It's better to buy a hard drive made by the same company as the computer (such as HP).
• Some hard drives are not compatible with some computers. Before purchasing a hard drive, find your computer model and hard drive model (for example, search for "HP Pavilion L3M56AA SATA Compatible") to see if they will work together.

Turn off your computer and unplug it from the electrical outlet. Do not work inside your computer while it is turned on, as you may damage the components or cause injury.

• Some desktop computers turn off within a couple of minutes. In this case, wait until the computer fans stop working.

To access the contents of your hard drive via USB from a PC or laptop, you will need a special device - an adapter.
The connection is not complicated, the main thing is the presence of a special device. There are several types of devices that allow you to connect the hard drive (hard drive, HDD) of a desktop computer or laptop to USB and open its contents. Here are the two most popular: a universal USB controller (for example, AGESTAR FUBCP) or a case adapter (SATA External case, ITEC MySafe Advance and others).

In China you can buy the following devices that are built-in instead of a laptop disk drive:

There are also combined options with a complete set (adapter, cord, power supply).

The advantages of the first one are that such a device is cheaper than a case adapter, and often supports several types of connections (SATA, IDE). However, using a regular hard drive as a portable drive with it is problematic, since it will not be protected by anything.

The second option is a case adapter, which is specifically designed to turn a hard drive into a portable memory device with a sufficiently large capacity, since the case will reliably protect it from dust and mechanical damage. But at the same time, the versatility of the device suffers: before purchasing, you will have to decide which connector the purchased adapter will support.

Using a hard drive in a cased version is a fairly simple procedure, so let’s look at how to connect and open a hard drive via USB using a universal adapter (using the example of AGESTAR FUBCP).

Connection procedure

The first thing you need to do is determine the type of HDD connector that you plan to connect via USB. Plugs come in the following types:

SATA (a more modern connector, used in newly built PCs and laptops);

IDE (can be found mainly in “experienced” PCs).

We will consider the connection using the example of AGESTAR FUBCP, since it supports both “old” and modern HDDs. The average cost of such a device in Russian electronics stores is about 1,500 rubles.

The device is equipped with three interfaces (plugs):

• SATA (7-pin plug).
• IDE 40pin (40-pin plug, for IDE 3.5″).
• IDE 44pin (respectively, 44-pin plug, for IDE 1.8″/2.5″).

Description of AGESTAR FUBCP connectors below.

Step-by-step connection of HDD to computer

So, we have determined the connector of the connected hard drive; now it needs to be connected to the corresponding connector on the device. After that, insert the USB connector for data transfer (black) into the USB port of your computer or laptop. If we are working with a laptop hard drive (2.5”), we can turn on the adapter, and the HDD should appear in the list of computer drives. Sometimes, with such a connection, the hard drive may not have enough power and will not be detected by the system. In this case, turn off and connect the red USB connector of the adapter to any of the computer ports and turn on the adapter again.

If the connected hard drive was previously installed in a PC (3.5” format), the power supply from your PC’s USB will not be enough for it. The AGESTAR FUBCP comes with a power supply for 3.5" hard drives. To open the hard drive via USB, first connect it to the appropriate connector (IDE/SATA), then insert the black USB cable into one of the USB ports of the computer, then connect to the adapter a power supply that operates on 220 V (plug it into a power outlet) .

After all cables are securely connected, turn on the adapter. The connection is complete, the hdd will be detected by the computer, and you can work with it.