Whether you need to increase your personal computer’s storage space or just need to replace malfunctioning hard drive from your computer, changing a hard disk can be a breeze with the following simple how to instructions.

We will divide the tutorial into 2 different sections; the first section is how to remove a hard drive or disk and the second is to install a new hard drive.

Removing a hard drive

Step 1

Disconnect all power connections for not only to make your work easier but also for safety reasons.

Step 2

Open up your PC or computer tower carefully by unscrewing all the screws at the back.

Step 3

Locate the hard drive which should be at the front of the computer or pc tower.

Step 4

If you have more than 1 hard drives already, look for the primary one. Disconnect all the connection cables that are connected with your hard drive. The primary hard drive normally has blue ribbon connector.

Step 5

Take off the hard drive after removing all the screws that are keeping it attached to the pc box.

Installing a new hard drive

Step 1

Determine if you are going to install a new hard drive as main hard disk or you want a secondary or back-up hard drive.

Step 2

Based on your decision on step 1, you will need to change the jumper settings on your hard drive. Jumper setting is basically a physical setting that tells your computer that you want the hard drive to be used as primary(Master) or secondary(Slave). Look for these setting instructions on the hard drive.

Step 3

Connect all the connection cords and place the hard disk in its slot.

Step 4

Screw the hard drive with tower.

Step 5

Screw back the back of the tower.

Step 6

Connect back all the power cables and start your computer. You will need to format the hard drive if it is a brand new disk; otherwise (if you just added a secondary/backup hard drive) you just have to change the settings.