How to connect a hard drive to a laptop

Often there is a need to install a hard drive on a laptop. You can do this in several ways - through the external and internal slot. How to do it right, read on.

How to connect a hard drive to a laptop as an internal drive

To achieve the desired result, follow this sequence:

1. Before installing directly, be sure to disconnect the device from the network. Otherwise, voltage surges can "destroy" the laptop in the literal and figurative sense, data recovery will not work.
2. Now you need to remove the battery. To do this, you must part the lock fastening sides and remove the battery from the compartment.
3. Next, there is the turn of the hard drive, which is under a special cover measuring approximately 13 × 7 cm. It is attached to the laptop case with screws. Take a screwdriver and unscrew all the fasteners. Some devices have a single cover. In this case, it is necessary to unscrew it completely and find a hard drive with a characteristic appearance.
4. Now you need to unscrew the bolts and carefully pull out the structure, which consists of the mount and the external drive. Release the hard drive with a screwdriver and continue to the next step. The required board can be in direct physical form (uncoated) or in a protective case. In the latter case, it is necessary to disassemble it.
5. Now you can install a new hard drive. This operation depends on the type of hard drive. Typically, a laptop uses SATA or IDE, their mounts are different from each other. If the device changes to a similar component, you just need to repeat the operation in the reverse order. If a different type of disk is used, a special adapter is required.
6. Tighten all fasteners and get started!

Important! If you have any difficulties with installation, consult a specialist. Using different types of cards is not recommended, since the adapter wire is very difficult to place in the device case. However, there are also miniature options - a board on the one hand with a SATA connector, on the other - an IDE.

Connecting a hard drive as an external drive

The second and easier way is to install an external device through the familiar and well-known USB connector. This option has its own, albeit insignificant, but still a drawback - you will have to carry the portable hard drive with you constantly and plug it in at the right time.

Such a device has a relatively small size and only one wire, through which it is connected to a laptop. This is done in exactly the same way as the insertion of a conventional flash drive.

On the computer, such an “external hard drive” will be displayed as a USB drive located not in the “Devices with removable media” section, but in “Hard disks”.

Important! To avoid damage (permanent data loss) of the HDD, you cannot turn off the power while the drive is running. Always use safe removal of the device!

Now you know that you can add memory and speed to your laptop in several ways. The main thing is to do everything correctly and accurately!