You may have purchased a SATA hard drive and want to install it on your PC. However, if your computer has an IDE port, you need to do a task to connect the disk properly. In this interesting article you will learn how to connect and install a SATA hard drive in an IDE port
Types of hard drives
There are different types of hard drives: SATA or serial ATA, PATA or “Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment”, SSD or “Solid State Disk” and SCSI or “Small Computer System Interface”. The best known today are SATA disks and they come in a wide variety of formats and capacities.
IDE AND SATA hard drives
IDE hard drives were the first to hit the market. These require the parallel ATA interface standard to be able to connect to the PC. They are characterized by storing data through magnetism. Some users resort to converting an old IDE hard drive to USB using a docking station, although converting to a SATA hard drive is more common.
For its part, SATA hard drives are widely used for their versatility and fast storage of processes. These types of disks handle serial signaling technology and can be connected using thin and flexible cables (SATA).
How to connect and install a SATA hard drive in an IDE port
To connect and install a SATA hard drive in an IDE port you will need an IDE to SATA adapter and follow a simple procedure that we explain below.
Disconnect the PC and all its components
First of all, you need to disconnect the PC from the power source. Also disconnect all components from the back of the computer. You can also take advantage of this step and clean the power supply of your PC to apply a quick maintenance to your computer.
Afterwards, open the case of your device by sliding the cover. Before, be sure to remove the screws or link pieces that hold the cover attached to the case. Place your hand on the metal surface to eliminate static.
Remove the hard drive and IDE to SATA adapter
Take the SATA hard drive out of its protective bag and do the same with the IDE to SATA adapter. Generally, the adapter has a protective container that you must remove.
Plug the SATA hard drive into an IDE port
Use the IDE to SATA adapter to align it with the slots on the back of the hard drive. Connect the adapter to the unit and link the four-pin connector to the other end of the adapter.
Connect the hard drive to the power source. For this, check if your power supply has SATA cables. If not, get a SATA / IDE adapter cable and connect the SATA end to the drive and the other end to the source cable.
Install the SATA hard drive that was plugged into an IDE port
Take the unit and place it in one of the compartments or slots of the case to fix it with the screws. Verify that the disc does not move when you have screwed it with the two screws in the corresponding slot.
Close the case and connect the equipment components
Replace the cover and secure it with the screws on the back of the case. Connect all the devices of the computer and the power cord.
Access the basic input and output system “BIOS” of the PC
Access the BIOS interface and check if your PC has recognized the SATA hard drive . Then format the drive and create partitions on it if you prefer.
Format the SATA drive
If you have another hard drive in your PC and it hosts Windows, you can format the SATA drive from the system interface . To do this, go to “This Computer” and press the right mouse button on the SATA drive. Click on “Format” and in the new window press the “Start” button.
In case you cannot apply the format directly from the system, you can choose to repair a damaged hard drive that Windows does not recognize. To do this, insert a drive with the Windows image and enter BIOS. Configure the drive boot and proceed to format the SATA hard drive from the system options.