Get more storage for your files.
Whether you're a complete novice or have prior experience with computers, this guide will assist you in safely and quickly installing an SSD or hard drive in your computer.
This article is work in progress.
Here is a tutorial video with visual guidance-
(coming soon)
But for those who want to read the article instead of watching the video, continue reading... I won't bother you anymore.
The first step is selecting the storage drive, but if you already have one in mind, or in hand, continue reading.
Now comes the installation, the most dreaded part of the process, where a miniscule mistake can lead to an expensive mistake! Just kidding, it's actually quite logical and the connectors only fit in one way, so you must be the chosen one if you manage to mess this up. I have written down the procedure in steps in extremely basic language, without the use of any jargon (other than the technical names of some storage devices, which was a necessary evil to make sure you are installing the right one) so please don't mind me not using the correct names.
Note that this installation is specifically for SATA drives but if you plan on using an M.2 drive (the small and flat ones), you can find the installation tutorial here. This tutorial is also irrelevant for USB drives. I may refer to the storage drive as SSD throughout the page, but all this will be equally applicable to hard disks as well as SATA SSDs (the rectangular boxy ones and not the flat ones). Differences in the installation of the two will be clearly mentioned, if any.
Step 1 - Safety
Start by unplugging your computer and turning off the switch on the back of your computer. Press the power button a few times to get rid of charge. Though a rudimentary step, you may unplug your peripherals and USB devices for extra safety.
Step 2 - Pre-installation
Open up the front and back panels using a screwdriver or the thumbscrews. This may seem intimidating, but if computers were not meant to be opened, the manufacturers would not have used Philips head screws at all. The backside is where the installation takes place, but opening the front panel as well provides a clear view and space for your hands if some connector needs to be plugged in from the front of the motherboard.
Now locate the enclosure, for hard disks, it is a drawer like system that is usually on the bottom side of the computer. SSDs can also be installed here, but it's not recommended if you plan on installing hard drives. Instead, you can use the SSD enclosure provided, that looks like a little cage on the wall, however, if you do not plan on installing any hard disks, using the hard disk 'drawer' is perfectly fine.
For the Hard disk 'drawer', you need to take out the tray by pressing the 'buttons' on either side of the tray and pulling it out, remembering the rule to not be overly gentle without being careless. Now screw on the hard disk or SSD, keeping the orientation in mind. The ports need to be facing outward when the tray in re-inserted and the screw holes in the hard disk or SSD need to overlap with those of the tray where they have to be screwed (obviously)
For the SSD cage, use a screwdriver to free the cage. Next, place the SSD in it, keeping orientation in mind such that the ports face the bottom, flat side of the cage and the screw holes of the SSD overlap with those of the tray.
Step 3 - Installation
Now comes the most time arduous part- the wiring. Don't get me wrong, I love every step of the SSD installation, but sometimes finding the lose ends of the cables inside the PC is a lengthy task.
Anyways, you will be looking for a SATA data cable and a SATA power cable. Most likely, there will already be a power cable somewhere is your PC, you just have to look for a wire with a connector looking like a long L, see picture attached.
SATA power connector (color of wires doesn't matter)
(work in progress)
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