How to Install SCSI Hard Drive

If you are installing a SCSI drive, the procedure is quite simple. Most manufacturers even include documentation with their drives that explains how to install them. Back up all of your computer's data before beginning the installation if you are replacing your old hard drive. If you experience problems after you install the drive, some manufacturers have diagnostic software available on their site to download and install. This software helps you troubleshoot your problem.

Set the jumpers. The drive should have jumpers on it that were set by the manufacturer. Setting the jumpers allows the drive to be recognized by your computer's hardware. If the jumpers have not been set, you will need to set the jumper of the primary drive to "Master," and if you are installing a secondary drive, the jumpers would be set to "Slave." The master drive is the drive that the computer boots to first when it starts up. The jumpers are pins located on the block or end of the hard drive. There are covered by a small plastic box. The small box connects the pins together and can be moved to cover a different set of pins.

Check the drive's instruction manual to verify which pins need to be covered for the jumpers to be set at "Master" or "Slave" for the particular drive you have purchased. The SCSI ID number is then set. This ID number is unique to each device and prioritizes the order in which any device can access the SCSI bus. The jumpers are used to configure the SCSI ID, which is an internal number or factory setting that is recognized by your PC.

Unplug your computer from any electrical outlets. Open your computer case and connect the hard-drive connector cable to the motherboard. The other end should connect to the hard drive. The colored end of the ribbon cable should be connected to the hard drive.

Close your computer case and turn on your computer. You should hear your drive spin. Most of today's drives are formatted at the factory and don't require formatting. Once your computer has started, your operating system will recognize the hard drive and prompt you to install any software associated with it.

Insert the software disk that accompanied your drive and allow it to install. Once you have completed the installation process, you are able to access your hard drive.

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