Q&A for How to Install a Hard Drive

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Do hard drives come with the needed cables or will I need to purchase them separately?

Community Answer

They don't. You either get the cables with the motherboard or you buy them separately.

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Question

Can I take an old hard drive out of one computer and put it in as a backup storage drive in a new computer with a different operating system?

Community Answer

You'll have to reformat your hard drive, but yes, you can use that hard drive as extra storage for almost any PC.

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Question

How can I find out which hard drive I need for my Laptop?

Community Answer

Talking to a tech professional (like a specialist at a store selling computers and related items) would be best. However, the word 'need' is misleading, as you can use a lot of different hard drives in some laptops.

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Question

I have replaced a hard drive that's fully loaded, but my PC cannot recognize it. I am told to reboot, but either the screen is blank or I am told to replace my battery, which doesn't help either. What should I do

Community Answer

If by "fully loaded," you mean that you have taken out a hard drive from a different computer that had the operating system already installed on it and put it into a new computer, this unfortunately will not work. The drivers that were installed with the operating system on your older computer are almost certainly not compatible with the drivers needed for your new computer. You will have to back up all of your stored data (desktop, documents, downloads, music, photos, videos, etc.) from the "fully loaded" drive, and then completely erase the "fully loaded" drive and install the operating system with all of the drivers needed for your new computer from scratch.

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Question

What should I do if I don't have screws for my laptop's hard drive?

Community Answer

Try to find screws that will match the necessary size, either in a shop or online. A friend or colleague might also have some spare ones you could use. You can also connect the laptop's hard drive without any screws. The connection is quite firm, but it's still safer with screws since they ensure that the connection between the drive and laptop doesn't come loose.

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What do I do when my hard drive has been damaged?

Community Answer

Try to fix it. If your computer can still turn on and load Windows, use the 'chkdsk' command in the Command Line followed by the name of the disk, for example 'chkdsk C:' for the C drive, followed by 'chkdsk C: /f' to fix errors found. However, if it doesn't load Windows then it's best you take it in to a specialist, most have programs that run from a disk that can check for errors, or they can fix mechanical faults or tell you to buy a new one. If you still have a receipt, maybe ask for a new one.

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What tools do I need to install a hard drive?

Community Answer

You need a Phillips screwdriver to open your computer (although most desktops have thumbscrews), and if you are installing an SSD drive, then you might need a 2.5"-to-3.5" bracket.

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