How to install an IDE hard drive on a desktop computer

Parallel ATA or PATA, also called IDE, is a computer bus interface for connecting mass storage devices such as hard drives and optical drives. The IDE interface dates back to 1986. It consists of a connector with 40 pins and a somewhat cumbersome interconnectivity, which with the appearance of new technologies has led to its disappearance. Even so, there are still computers that have the IDE interface when connecting their disk units. This time we will see how to install an IDE hard drive on a desktop computer.

You will need to:
  • IDE cable. It may come with the hard drive in some cases.
  • Screws to adjust the disc to the tray. Like the IDE cable, sometimes they come with it.
Steps to follow:

one

Turn off your computer be sure to disconnect all power cords.

two

Open the lid of the computer cabinet. The screws and nuts you may have vary from one model to another.

3

Now on the IDE disk you should see the position of the jumpers depending on how you want to install it, either as a master, slave, or selector cable. The instructions of the jumper are usually on the back of the same disk.

4

Once you have correctly jumpered it, position the hard disk in the tray reserved for the same one that is inside the cabinet. They are usually under the trays for CD / DVD readers and there are always more than one.

5

Secure the hard drive to the tray using screws.

6

Connect one end of the IDE cable to the motherboard. The IDE cable is usually white with the black connector.

7

Connect the other end of the IDE cable to the hard drive.

8

Connect the power cable to the hard drive. This cable comes from the power supply of the computer and its connector is usually white and a bit smaller than the IDE cable.

9

Reconnect the power cables and turn on your computer. If you have installed your IDE disk in your desktop computer correctly, its name should appear when the computer starts.

Tips
  • When it comes to jumping your IDE disk, keep in mind how you want to use it. The jumpeo depends on that. If you are going to use it alone, put it as a teacher. If you are going to use it with another disc, one of them must be a master and the other slave. If you want the way the disks are connected to whoever decides the jumpeado, put it on the selector cable.
  • When you connect the IDE cable, make sure you do it correctly. The first pin goes to the right and is painted red. Usually the connector has a notch that does not allow the cable to be connected upside down, but it is still good to be cautious.