How do I install a second hard drive in my computer?
My 40GB hard drive is almost full and I want to add a second one. I bought an 80GB drive but I don't know how to install it. Do I need special cables? How do I set jumper pins — what does master and slave mean? Will Windows automatically recognize the new drive or do I need to format it? I've never opened my computer before.
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This is a case where spending a little more upfront saves you money in the long run. Cheap hardware fails faster and costs more to replace. Buy quality components from reputable brands and they'll last years longer.
5 Answers
This is a case where spending a little more upfront saves you money in the long run. Cheap hardware fails faster and costs more to replace. Buy quality components from reputable brands and they'll last years longer.
Don't forget about heat. If your computer is shutting down or crashing randomly, open the case and check if the fans are caked with dust. Blow it out with a can of compressed air. Overheating causes a shocking number of 'mystery' problems.
I'd post this on the Tom's Hardware or AnandTech forums with your full system specs — CPU, RAM, motherboard, the works. People can't really help without knowing what you've got. The more detail you give, the better the answers.
Newegg is your friend for parts. Way cheaper than Best Buy or CompUSA and the customer reviews actually help you avoid junk. Just watch out for shipping on heavy stuff like CRT monitors. Read the reviews before you buy ANYTHING.
Before you do anything drastic, try booting into Safe Mode (tap F8 when the computer starts up). If the problem goes away in Safe Mode it's a software or driver issue, not hardware. That one trick narrows down half of all PC problems.
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