The next step is to mount the drives in the system.
This includes all Hard Disk Drives, DVD's and other devices that require a drive bay for installation.
The reason we suggest this next is that, in some instances, the peripheral cards installed in the computer can block one, or more, of the mounting points of a drive. So putting the cards in after the drives works nearly every time, with every type of case, better and easier than the other way around.
Keep in mind which drive(s) will be attached to which connection (primary or secondary) and WHERE the controller card is... on the motherboard, or a separate controller card. If there will be more than one drive, which I highly suggest, you will also need to know which drive is going to be setup as master and slave, so you can set the jumpers correctly BEFORE screwing them into the case (where you might not be able to get to the jumpers). If you are using SCSI drives, the drive ID's MUST also be set before installation.
When installing a drive it is imperative that at least four (4) screws be used to secure a drive, two on each side. Try to keep the drive screws on the same level on each side. Another words, don't intermix the top screw holes on one side and the bottom holes on the other side. This can cause the drive to become slightly off balance, potentially "bound" or even warped, and may cause read/write problems in the future. You want the drive as level as possible, either hortizontally or vertically, but LEVEL. Keep in mind that most drives spin at 5,200 to 7,200 rpms (or greater). Like a highspeed stack of metal records... creating their own 'centrifical force' from the high speed gyrations.
It is also very important to use the correct size screw for the mounting.
Typically there are two (2) different types of screws that are used in computer assembly. The difference is easily visible to the naked eye. One screw has a narrower diameter and higher thread count than the other.
Resistance, when sliding the drives in... or putting in the screws... is also important. If you encounter too much, or too little, resistance something is wrong. Be careful to not strip the screw or break it off. You will only need to make it snug to function properly, NOT too tight.
After what ever drives you're installing are secured in the case, connect the power and data cables to the appropriate connectors. I try to start with the one the furthest away from the motherboard, because it's often the most challenging to get the power to, and requires some extra effort in some multiple drive configurations with the data cable (ribbon wire). When these are done, you're ready for the next step.
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Copyright 1998 to 2017 - T.E. Mercer, all rights reserved. This page was last updated
26 October 2017