How to Replace a Hard Drive in a PC
- 1). Disconnect the computer from any electrical sources and remove the side access panel from the case. This may require the removal of two thumbscrews from the rear face of the computer's case.
- 2). Locate the currently installed hard drive within the computer's hard drive case. This small hard drive case is located in the front face of the computer directly beneath the optical drives.
- 3). Remove the two cables on the rear face of the currently installed hard drive. These cables are the data and power connections.
- 4). Slide the currently installed hard drive toward the rear of the computer case to remove it from the hard drive bay.
- 5). Insert the new hard drive into the now-vacant hard drive bay in the same orientation as the previous hard drive. Specifically, the data and power connectors should be facing the rear of the case.
- 6). Connect the data and power connections to the rear of the newly installed hard drive as they were connected to the previous hard drive. Each connection is keyed so that they may not be interchanged and each has a unique connection shaped to allow for easy identification of which cable connects to which connector.
- 7). Replace the computer's side access panel and reestablish the previously severed electrical connections.
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