- 1). Remove all power cables and other connectors leading to the computer case so you can move it to a convenient place to work on it.
- 2). Open the computer case using the Philips screwdriver. Some types of computer cases do not require any tools to open them. If your computer has such as a case, turn the lock that keeps the cover in place and slide the cover off.
- 3). Find an open PCI slot on the motherboard. Use a Philips screwdriver to remove the metal cover protecting the connector cutouts in the rear of the computer case corresponding to the open PCI slot you're going to use. PCI slots are shaped like long, thin white LEGO bricks, and a motherboard usually contains around three to four PCI slots. You can use any PCI slot for this task.
- 4). Insert the SATA PCI card into the PCI slot and press firmly until the card slides all the way into position. Secure the SATA PCI card to the CPU casing. To do this, put the screw that formerly secured the slot cover through the hole in the top of the rear connector of the SATA PCI card and then screw it into the former slot-cover screw hole.
- 5). Mount the SATA hard disk into an open drive bay. Secure the SATA drive into the drive bay by using two screws and a Philips screwdriver. Hard drive bays are usually located under the CD/DVD drive bay near the top front of the computer case.
- 6). Insert one end of the SATA interface cable into one of the SATA slots on the SATA PCI card and insert the other end of the cable to the SATA port on the newly installed SATA hard disk.
- 7). Insert a 12-volt IDE power cable from the computer's power supply to the IDE end of the IDE-TO-SATA power plug adapter and connect the SATA end of the power adapter to the SATA power slot on the SATA hard disk.
- 8). Replace the cover of the computer case by securing it with the use of a Philips screwdriver. If you have a tool-free computer case, slide the cover back on and turn the lock that keeps it in place.
- 9). Connect the power cable and other cabling back to your computer and boot it. Your computer will automatically detect the newly attached SATA hard disk.
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