Desktop-hardrive add-on--Im adding a second hardrive to my pc--Its my first time-?

Question

Its a desktop with windows xp, SATA------what do I need to know?

Answer 1

open computer up and install new harddrive. the ribbon cable that goes to your exiting drive may have 2 connectors on it. use the extra connector for the new drive. if not you will need to get a new ribbon cable with 2 connects and replace the old one. then you'll need to connect the power connector if the is a extra one just plug it in. if not you will need a splitter that plugs into one connect then has 2 connects for drives.
after this close computer up and turn it on. right mosue click on My Computer and select manage. then select disk management. you will see your c: drive plus another drive. the new drive will have a red circle with a white bar in it and say unknown and Not Initialized. right mouse click in that gray area and select Initialize Disk and click OK on the popup. now move mouse over to the white area just to the right of the gray area. right mouse click and select New Partition. click on next. just use the defaults and continue on thru the end. your new drive is ready to use.

Answer 2

I'm assuming that when you typed SATA you meant your existing hard drive and not the new one.
All you need to do is mount the HD in an available 3 1/2" bay and connect it to the power supply. I've never heard of a motherboard only having one SATA port so you should have at least 1 more on the mobo not being used. Plug the HD into that port.( SATA ports are pretty unique but i would look at a diagram of the mobo to make sure its a SATA port. Also, most motherboards have the ports labled SATA1, SATA2, etc.)
Reboot and, if you know how, enter the BIOS of the mobo and make sure the board recognizes the HD.(should be listed as secondary SATA drive)
If you don't know how to get to the BIOS screen, double click My Computer after rebooting and make sure you have the new drive, probably right under your old drive in the menu. You may have to format the HD with the utility that came with the new drive. If it's an OEM drive you can download Discwizard from the Seagate website to do the job.

Answer 3

sounds like diverse the ability pins are incorrect. Double/Triple make certain them, and make constructive the polarity/orientation (the +/-) of each and each pin is appropriate. additionally, this sounds like a Fan subject. Double make certain if the CPU fan is plugged magnificent right into a CPU FAN pin. the laptop many situations wont assist you run the CPU from a case fan pin. Are you constructive your mobo does not want 2 ability pugs. Many want the great 32pin and then a 4 or 8 pin on the threshold of the CPU. Have your checked that. i ought to image that'd initiate up bios beeping at you although for a loss of ability...