Hook up data connectors
This part is pretty simple as long as you’re going all SATA. Simply connect one end of the SATA cable to the motherboard and the other end to the device (1)(2). SATA connectors are an L shape, so make sure you have them oriented correctly. Most SATA cables will have small metal clips that you will hear click into place when fully inserted (3). Once again these connectors can only be inserted one way, so don’t try to force it in; you’ve probably just got it upside down.
For IDE, or PATA, it can get a little more complicated. If you’ve only got one PATA type drive, then simply connect one end of the connector to the motherboard and the other end to the drive (1)(2). Observe the small notch, frequently called a key, on one side of the connector. This ensures that you do not plug it in upside down. If your cable does not have a notch I would suggest purchasing a new cable because cables without keys are usually very old and can cause some headache. Now, if you’ve got two drives to plug in then you’ve got to worry about jumpers...
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(2) |
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Jumpers are small objects that connect two pins together and can be moved to other pins to select a different option (1). On PATA drives they are on the back of the drive in between the data and power sockets (2). IDE cables have two different channels per connector: one master channel and one slave channel. I would recommend making the hard drive the master drive and the CD drive the slave drive. To do this, look at the diagram that should be printed on the hard drive (3) and set the jumper accordingly. New drives will usually already be set to master. You might need a small pair of pliers or someone with long fingernails to get the jumper out. Now, on a standard IDE cable the middle connection is the master connector (4). Use this middle plug to connect to the drive you have made master, and the other plug that is closest to it to connect to the slave drive. Now connect the other end to the motherboard as above.
