Difference between revisions of "Install and format hard drive"

Revision as of 14:03, 12 February 2011

How to install, and format a hard drive in Ubuntu (10.04 Lucid Lynx)

These instructions are intended to show someone how to install a hard drive and then put a file system on it using the Ubuntu Disk Utility. They were written using the latest long term support release (currently 10.04 Lucid Lynx).

Section 1: Installing a primary drive into a system

A machine where there is no hard drive installed and you will be preparing this hard drive for installation.

If you do not already have a hard drive installed on your computer, you'll want to be sure of what kind of hard drive you can install. There are two main types of hard drives, IDE and SATA. Some computers will support both, and some will support only one type. If you are not sure how to determine this, you'll want to go to Section 1-a. If you know you can install an IDE hard drive go to Section 1-b. If you know you want to install a SATA drive go to Section 1-c.

Section 1-a: Determining whether you can install an IDE or SATA drive when there is no hard drive installed.

The easiest way to find this information out is to open up the computer and take a look at the motherboard. You'll want to look for the IDE connectors, which are usually blue or black (but can be any color) and are two rows of 20 pins.

Even if you do find these, you'll want to double check and see if you can find any SATA connectors as well, some motherboards have both! SATA connectors are l shaped flat connectors. They are usually black or red (but can be any color).

If you have both IDE and SATA it's up to you which type you install. SATA drives are newer than IDE, and generally have a large amount of storage space. They're also a bit more efficent than IDE, and easier to set up. That being said, if you don't need too much space, it's possible to find IDE drives for relatively cheap.

Next you'll want to make sure you're ready to install a drive into the computer. You need to have a place to put the drive, and a way to secure it inside the machine. Your computer should have a metal cage in which the hard drive can be installed. It's in a different spot on each machine, so if you're having troubles finding it the best thing to do is go to the manufacturer's web page, and try to find a manual for the computer.

Once you know where the hard drive goes, you'll need to figure out how you can place it in the cage securely. It's very important that the drive doesn't just sit freely within the cage, because shocks to the drive from being knocked around can damage it irreparably. Some computers use rails to secure the hard drive in place which vary from machine to machine. Others use screws. If you can't figure out how to secure the drive in place, it's best to look at the manufacturer's web page for more information. Or try searching online.

If you want to install an IDE drive read Section 1-b.

If you want to install a SATA drive read Section 1-c.

Section 1-b. Installing an IDE drive when there is no other drive installed.

Before you physically install an IDE hard drive you'll want to make sure that it is jumpered correctly. What you want to determine is if the hard drive is set as a master or slave drive. Look at the drive itself, either on the top, or the side above where the pin connectors are. There should be a diagram which will tell you how to set the jumper (a little plastic piece which connects two pins) to set the drive as master, slave, or cable select. Usually these options are abbreviated as follows: master - MS, slave - SL, cable select - CS.

Since this is the first and primary drive you'll want to set it as master. The cable select option means the ribbon cable attaching the drive to the motherboard will detect whether the drive is master or slave. Unfortunately you must have a special type of cable to take advantage of this option, so unless you are sure you have that type it is best to stick with using the master setting. You can easily move the jumper to the proper setting using a pair of needle nose pliers.

Now that you've done all that, you can put the hard drive in place. Once it's secure you'll want to attach the ribbon cable. If the ribbon cable has a total of three connections you'll want to make sure you pick the topmost one. Most will be marked with a 1 and then a 2 near each connection so that you know which is which, but it should be fairly apparent. When attaching the cable to the motherboard you'll want to verify which IDE port you are using. On the motherboard each port should be labeled as IDE 0 or 1. This information can be useful if you need to change the settings in the BIOS. Finally, you'll want to attach the power connections to each drive from the power supply.

Now you're ready to turn on the computer and get started setting up the hard drive for use! For instructions in how to use the Ubuntu disk utility to set up and partition the drive, go to Section 5.

Section 1-c. Installing a SATA drive when there is no other drive installed.

SATA drives are fairly easy to connect. Once the drive is securely locked in place, all you'll need to do is connect it to the motherboard and the power supply. You should have at least two SATA connectors on your motherboard each of which will be numbered. It doesn't really matter which one you plug the drive into, but you will want to make note of the number because it will help you if you need to make changes to the BIOS settings. Second you'll need to connect the drive to your power supply. You should have a flat black female version of the connector on the drive available on your power supply. However if you don't there are converters from molex to SATA. Some SATA hard drives have connections for molex power as well, and it's okay to use those.

Now you're ready to turn on the computer and get started setting up the hard drive for use! For instructions in how to use the Ubuntu disk utility to set up and partition the drive, go to Section 5.

Section 2. Installing a secondary drive for storage purposes.

If you want to add another internal drive for storage purposes, you will first need to determine what type of drive you can install in your computer (if any). This depends on a number of factors, the first being space. If you have a particularly small computer, there may not be room for another hard drive, and you will probably need to get an external hard drive. Look where your first hard drive is installed, is there a space above it or below it for another drive? Most computers will have a metal enclosure which holds the hard drive in place. If there is space for another hard drive it may be as simple as screwing a second one in on top or below the existing one. Certain systems require the use of hard drive rails which attach to the drive and support it within the enclosure. These differ for each computer, but you can use the ones which are already installed to find another pair. You can buy them online, and the Free Geek Thrift Store sells some of these, for a minimal price.

There are two main types of hard drives, IDE and SATA. If you are working with an IDE hard drive, go to Section 2-a, if you are working with SATA go to section 2-b. If you don't know what type of hard drive you have, or how to find that out, read on.

The easiest way to find out what kind of hard drive you have is to open your computer and look inside. Determining whether you have an IDE or SATA drive is fairly simple. IDE drives have two rows of 20 pins. SATA drives have two thin black connectors.

If you have an IDE drive, go to section 2-a, if you have SATA go to section 2-b.

@@ Line 59: / Line 59: @@
 Now you're ready to turn on the computer and get started setting up the hard drive for use!  For instructions in how to use the Ubuntu disk utility to set up and partition the drive, go to Section 5.
-==Section 2.  A machine which already has a hard drive installed, and you want to add another drive for storage.==
+==Section 2.  Installing a secondary drive for storage purposes.==
 If you want to add another internal drive for storage purposes, you will first need to determine what type of drive you can install in your computer (if any).  This depends on a number of factors, the first being space.  If you have a particularly small computer, there may not be room for another hard drive, and you will probably need to get an external hard drive.  Look where your first hard drive is installed, is there a space above it or below it for another drive?  Most computers will have a metal enclosure which holds the hard drive in place.  If there is space for another hard drive it may be as simple as screwing a second one in on top or below the existing one.  Certain systems require the use of hard drive rails which attach to the drive and support it within the enclosure.  These differ for each computer, but you can use the ones which are already installed to find another pair.  You can buy them online, and the Free Geek Thrift Store sells some of these, for a minimal price.