Which Computer Are You Planning To Use Your External Hard Drive Most On?
Before You Decide How You're Going To Fix Your External Hard Drive For Mac And PC Without Losing Any Files.So, What Is The Issue? Why Doesn't My External Hard Drive Just Work?.Options For Having An External Hard Drive For Mac And PC Without Formatting.If you split the drive up into multiple partitions, you should see several drives appear in File Explorer, each with its own drive letter and label.
When you boot into Windows after installing the drive, you may see the New Hardware Found wizard pop up if the drive is detected. The last thing you need to do is partition and format the drive.Īnd with that, the drive should be available for use. Check for the drive in the Disk Drives section. In Windows 10, right-click the Windows button on your desktop and select Device Manager. To confirm that Windows recognizes the drive, open up Device Manager.
BIOS and UEFI interfaces can differ based on the motherboard make and model, so check your motherboard manual or manufacturer website for details. The UEFI BIOS will show all hard drives that are connected correctly and detected by the system. If the drive still isn’t showing up and all the connections are secure, try plugging the SATA data cable into a different port on the motherboard. Double-check all of the connections, boot into the BIOS and check again. If the drive isn’t listed, shut down your PC. If all of your drive controllers are enabled and the drive is properly connected (and functional), it should be listed in the BIOS.
In the BIOS, go to the standard System Settings menu or the Integrated Peripherals > SATA menu to see all of the drives installed in the system. Usually, your system will display a message along the lines of “Press DEL to enter Setup.” Consult your motherboard’s manual for the correct key. You can usually access the BIOS/UEFI by pressing the DEL or F2 keys right after powering up the system. Once you’ve mounted and connected the drive, power up your system and enter the BIOS/UEFI. As long as you don’t force it, there’s really no way to mess it up. The SATA power cable from your PSU, like the SATA data cable, is keyed to fit onto the drive one-way. When you’re done connecting the SATA cable, you’ll have to connect the drive to your power supply unit (PSU). The connector is keyed to fit only one way. The SATA power cable connection looks similar to the data cable, but is longer. Most SATA 3 (6-gigabit)-compliant cables will usually come with the clips. Try to find SATA cables with metal retention clips, because they help keep the connectors secured. Physically mounting the hard drive in a PC is probably the most difficult part of the installation process. Some enthusiast-class also cases give users the ability to remove drive cages or to mount them in different positions to optimize air flow and simplify cable management. In enthusiast-class cases, it’s becoming more common to see the drive’s connectors facing the right side, making it easier to route and hide cables behind the motherboard tray. In mainstream cases, drive connectors will typically point to the rear.
Magnet-tipped screw drivers can help keep you from dropping screws in difficult-to-reach places. Screws are the best way to secure your hard drive into your case’s drive cage.
The most common location is at the lower front, near the intake fans and away from other components. Drive cages/bays will most often be mounted perpendicular to the bottom of the chassis, while drives mounted in the cages usually sit parallel to the bottom of the case. Placement and orientation of the cages or bays will vary from case to case. Internal 3.5-inch hard disk drives are typically mounted in a drive cage or in an available drive bay. Now let’s get this hard drive installed in your computer.
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