\u00a9 2022 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Seven of the 10 screw holes are circled in red, while SATA power and data connections are circled in blue and green, respectively. Magnet-tipped screw drivers can help keep you from dropping screws in difficult-to-reach places. 3. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2022 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. If you want to keep your original hard drive installed, consider. 
Some SATA data cables come with L-shaped ends, which can help keep cables tidy. Usually, your system will display a message along the lines of Press DEL to enter Setup. Consult your motherboards manual for the correct key. The connections you need to make differ depending on the type of hard drive connector you have. You can use an anti-static strip or touch the screw on an active light switch cover to ground yourself before touching the components and cables inside your computer. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. All-in-one PC monitors may require a 2.7 inch (6.9cm) SATA drive. Upgrade Your Hard Drive, How to Access Data From an Old Hard Drive, What You Need to Know About SATA 15-Pin Power Connector Pinouts, How to Wipe a Hard Drive on a Dead Computer, External Hard Drives Make It Easy to Expand Your Computer's Storage, Power Supplies: Everything You Need to Know, Install a CD/DVD Drive With This Illustrated Tutorial, Back Up Your Computer to an External Hard Drive, How to Back Up Your iPhone to an External Hard Drive, Installing a Desktop Power Supply on Your Own, How to Choose and Install Speaker Wire Connectors. However, the word 'need' is misleading, as you can use a lot of different hard drives in some laptops. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2022 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. 
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP0Brsc0dMY, http://lifehacker.com/137179/hack-attack-how-to-install-a-hard-drive, , . You'll also need to check if the M.2 connector slot on your has an M or B key slot. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. 5. Placement and orientation of the cages or bays will vary from case to case. The shape of the connector makes no difference in performance. 9. Mark Casey was a Lifewire writer who specialized in computing and technology, including reviewing PC components and peripherals. Mount the drive into the enclosure. If the drive still isnt showing up and all the connections are secure, try plugging the SATA data cable into a different port on the motherboard. And with that, the drive should be available for use. When youre done connecting the SATA cable, youll have to connect the drive to your power supply unit (PSU). This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. 
The connection is quite firm, but it's still safer with screws since they ensure that the connection between the drive and laptop doesn't come loose. Try to fix it. 
This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. In enthusiast-class cases, its becoming more common to see the drives connectors facing the right side, making it easier to route and hide cables behind the motherboard tray. Keep up with the latest tech with wikiHow's free Tech Help Newsletter. SATA uses simple cables that are keyed to fiton the drive and motherboard connector one way. If the drive isnt listed, shut down your PC. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2022 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. If you needed to disconnect any ribbons or cables to remove the bottom panel, be sure to reconnect them before closing the laptop. 
This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If you find any cables or ribbons attached, make a note of where they are attached, and carefully remove them. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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To install an M.2 SSD, insert the SSD in the M.2 slot at a 30-degree angle and then press down on the other end of the SSD. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Double-check all of the connections, boot into the BIOS and check again. What should I do if I don't have screws for my laptop's hard drive? By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. PCWorld helps you navigate the PC ecosystem to find the products you want and the advice you need to get the job done. Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. Internal 3.5-inch hard disk drives are typically mounted in a drive cage or in an available drive bay. 
Positioning the drives directly in front of an intake fan also helps. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2022 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. If your computer can still turn on and load Windows, use the 'chkdsk' command in the Command Line followed by the name of the disk, for example 'chkdsk C:' for the C drive, followed by 'chkdsk C: /f' to fix errors found. Because of availability and a lack of general consumer knowledge, internal hard drives can be somewhat cheaper than standalone externalhard drives. Seal the hard drive enclosure using the included screws or fasteners. Why Consider Using an Internal Drive Externally? 7. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The wikiHow Tech Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. To install an M.2 SSD, simply insert the SSD into the M.2 slot at a 30-degree angle. This doesn't affect our editorial independence. Jeremy Mercer is the Manager and Head Technician at MacPro-LA in Los Angeles, CA. This may be labeled SATA0 or SATA1. If you had to remove screws to remove the original hard drive, screw them back in as well. To confirm that Windows recognizes the drive, open up Device Manager. Once the drive is mounted, connecting it to your system is quick and easy. You can also connect the laptop's hard drive without any screws. He specializes in graphics cards and gaming, but covers everything from security to Windows tips and all manner of PC hardware. As long as you dont force it, theres really no way to mess it up. 
wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2022 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Replace the side or bottom panel on your desktop tower or laptop. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. How can I find out which hard drive I need for my Laptop? Some cases come with tool-less brackets that make mounting hard drives really easy. Purchase a hard drive that fits your needs and is the right size for your computer. Some may have metal retention clips, while others do not. The connector is keyed to fit only one way. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2022 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Back up all your data. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2022 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. 
Many laptops require special screwdrivers, such as Pentalobe models, or tri-wing screwdriver, to unlock the case. Tested. 
They don't. Follow these steps to use an internal hard drive externally. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2022 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. 
Install a new operating system on your computer. 4. When mounting drives in a system, try to leave as much space between them as possible to maximize airflow over the tops and bottoms. Ensure that none of the cables can come undone by wiggling them a little bit. Attach the SATA cable and power supply cable. Usually, it's a USBcable, which provides both connectivity and power to the drive. 
Disconnect the SATA cable and power supply cable from the old hard drive. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Most hard drive enclosures have screws or simple fasteners that you can use to seal up the drive. Hard drives emit heat when they are running. You'll need to format the drive properly to suit your computer. 
This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2022 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Tighten the screws to a firm tightness, but don't over-tighten as that may cause damage as well.
Don't be afraid of cracking open your desktop PC's case. Grounding yourself before starting.". Most SATA 3 (6-gigabit)-compliant cables will usually come with the clips. Virtually all new desktop hard drives sold today use the SATA interface (unless youre dealing with servers). However, these brackets are often less secure than traditional screws. 13. Remove any screws or the special enclosure holding the old hard drive in place. Talking to a tech professional (like a specialist at a store selling computers and related items) would be best. M.2 SSDs come in a variety of sizes. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. You may need to remove more cables or cards in order to access the hard drives in a tight case. You can usually access the BIOS/UEFI by pressing the DEL or F2 keys right after powering up the system. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 808,324 times. Copyright 2022 IDG Communications, Inc. You can mix and match almost any hard drive and enclosure, but check the manufacturers' websites to make sure the drive and enclosure are compatible, just in case. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. You may find the SATA cables included with your new drive or motherboard feature different connectors: straight ends or right-angle (L-shaped). This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.