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Install A Hard Drive-Part 1

Steps for installing a new master IDE hard drive or secondary hard drive

Installing a new hard drive is not a difficult job, and can be accomplished fairly fast with some computer hardware knowledge. Most people install new master IDE hard drives when their old drive is no longer large enough for adding new programs and files. Most computer systems do allow for a secondary hard drive as well, so it's important to decide upfront which option suits your needs the best.

Preparation for Installing a New Hard Drive

First and most important, backup your system, which includes critical files and data that cannot be lost. Second, make sure there is a startup disk or boot disk available in case you have any issues starting the computer. Third, read the articles on "Formatting your Hard Drive" How to Use the FDISK Tool and Part 3: Easy Steps on How to Format.

Installing a New Master IDE Hard drive or Secondary Hard Drive.

Below are the steps for installing a hard drive (steps 1-7 refer to the secondary drive), and continuing on will complete the process for a new master IDE hard drive.

Depending on how the jumper settings are situated, the current (old hard drive) jumper settings will most likely be set to master. The CD-ROM could be set to master on the secondary IDE channel or as slave on the primary IDE channel. Most likely you will also be using the current (old hard drive) as a second hard drive for additional space. Let's begin:

  1. Power down the system, disconnect the power connections to avoid any surges which could accidentally cause issues with the system.
  2. Set the new hard drive jumper settings as master. There should be a label on the hard drive showing these settings. (Both hard drives will be set to master, one on the primary IDE, one on the secondary IDE channel.) Also at this time the CD-ROM jumper settings can be set to slave on either the primary or the secondary IDE channel.
  3. Mount both hard drives in the computer case so they are easy to reach (hopefully), and the cables can be switched easily when required during this process.
  4. Boot from the startup disk that was created or one you already had. Fdisk the new hard drive with or without partitions, depending on what preferences are desired for the hard drive settings.
  5. Format the new hard drive (which is currently the second drive) with /s option (format d: /s) and format any additional partitions if necessary.
  6. Reboot the system, and now the current settings with your (old drive) will be a primary master, the new hard drive will be a secondary master, and the CD-ROM as a slave either on the primary IDE channel or secondary IDE channel.
  7. Go to Windows Explorer and the new drive should be the second drive (most likely D:).

Note: This completed the installation of the secondary hard drive into the system, continue to complete the installation of the New Master IDE Hard Drive.

Continue to "Install A Hard Drive-Part 2"