Note: This guide is for installing an SATA drive.
Hard drives using SATA connectors are the next generation in hard drive technology and should replace hard drives using EIDE connectors within the next few years. SATA hard drives are the same size and shape as EIDE hard drives and are installed in exactly the same way with one big difference: one SATA port connects to one SATA hard drive, so there's no need to deal with the messy master and slave configuration scheme. It is not necessary to set any jumpers, terminators, or other settings on this drive for proper operation. The jumper block adjacent to the SATA interface connector is for factory use only.
With a Serial ATA interface, each disc drive has its own cable that connects directly to a Serial ATA host adapter or a Serial ATA port on your motherboard. Unlike Parallel ATA, there is no master-slave relationship between drives that use a Serial ATA interface.
You can use a Serial ATA drive in the same system with Parallel ATA drives as long as both interfaces are supported on the motherboard or with a host adapter. This makes it easy to add Serial ATA compatibility to your existing system without removing existing Parallel ATA disc drives.
What you need to install:
- A screwdriver and four 6-32 UNC drive mounting screws.
- A Serial ATA interface cable (sold separately). Maximum length is 39 inches (1 meter).
- A Serial ATA-compatible power cable or adapter (sold separately).
- A system with a motherboard that has a Serial ATA connector on it, or a Serial ATA host adapter and available PCI slot in which to install the adapter
Refer to your computer system documentation to see if your system supports Serial ATA on the motherboard and to locate the Serial ATA connector. If your system does not have a Serial ATA connector on the motherboard, you must purchase a Serial ATA host adapter that is compatible with your computer and operating system and install it with the appropriate device driver according to the host adapter manufacturer's installation instructions.
Attaching Cables and Mounting the Drive
- Attach one end of the drive interface cable to the Serial ATA interface connector on your computer's motherboard or Serial ATA host adapter (see your computer manual for connector locations). Host adapter configuration is shown below.
Note: Serial ATA connectors are keyed to ensure correct orientation.
- Attach the interface and power cables to the drive.
- Secure the drive using four 6-32 UNC mounting screws in either the side-mounting or bottom-mounting holes. Insert the screws no more than 0.20 inches (5.08 mm) into the bottom-mounting holes and no more than 0.14 inches (3.55 mm) into the side-mounting holes.
Note: Do not overtighten the screws or use metric screws. This may damage
the drive.