The hard drive in my Windows desktop computer has died. I want to remove it and install a new one â€" is it as simple as unscrewing the old drive and plugging a new one into the old socket?
Replacing the hard drive in a desktop computer is a fairly straightforward process once you find a compatible replacement drive, as you need to match the physical size and internal connection to the PC’s motherboard. Your computer’s manufacturer may have a list of replacement parts that fit your computer on its Web site, along with a guide to installing it (take Hewlett-Packard, for example). Repair-oriented sites like iFixit.com also have illustrated tutorials that show the basic steps for hard-drive replacement.
Third-party vendors may be less expensive, and some have online help for finding compatible hard drives. Drive Solutions is just one such option out there.
When you have the new drive, open the computer’s case and locate the old drive. (Avoid static electricity by doing the work in a noncarpeted area or by wearing an antistatic wrist strap.) Unplug the drive’s motherboard cable and remove it from any brackets, and then reverse the process to plug in the new drive.
Once you have the new drive in place, you need to format it and reinstall Windows from your original system discs. Microsoft has information on doing that.
