Do I need to do anything before removing hard drive?

Back Up Important Data

It’s critical to back up any important data before removing a hard drive. Any files that are not backed up somewhere else will be permanently lost when the drive is removed. According to a 2022 study from Backblaze, hard drives have a lifetime annualized failure rate of around 1.5%. So even if you are just replacing an old hard drive as preventative maintenance, there’s always a chance the drive will fail during the replacement process and data will be lost if it’s not backed up.

There are a few options for backing up your data:

  • Copy important files to an external hard drive or SSD
  • Back up to a NAS (network attached storage) device
  • Use an online backup service like Backblaze to back up data to the cloud

External drives provide a physical backup you can restore from if anything happens to your computer’s internal drive. Online backup services like Backblaze have the advantage of offsite protection in case of theft, fire, or other disaster. For optimal protection, it’s a good idea to use both a local external backup drive and an online backup service.

Only back up personal files like documents, photos, videos, and music. There’s no need to back up program files or the operating system, as those can be reinstalled later. Be sure to double check that all important files are copied to the backup location before proceeding with removing your hard drive.

Prepare for Physical Removal

When handling computer hardware like a hard drive, it’s important to take precautions against electrostatic discharge (ESD). ESD can damage electronic components, so use an anti-static wrist strap while working on the drive. Make sure to ground yourself by touching a metal part of the computer case before picking up the drive.

Gather any tools you’ll need beforehand, such as a Phillips head screwdriver to remove mounting screws and a small container to hold the screws. You may also want needle nose pliers to disconnect cables if they have locking tabs. Have a safe place cleared to set down the drive once removed, like an anti-static bag.

Refer to your computer or drive manual to check for any special removal instructions. Make note of how the existing drive is oriented before taking it out. If you’re replacing it with a new drive, you want to match the same installation method.

Finally, make sure your computer is completely powered off and disconnected from its power source before proceeding. Avoid static buildup by not working on carpet.

Sources:

https://www.shredit.com/en-us/blog/7-disastrous-ways-to-deal-with-old-hard-drives

Disconnect Cables and Power

When removing a hard drive, it is important to disconnect the cables and power in the proper order. First, you will want to disconnect the power cable from the hard drive. The power cable is usually a large, black cable that connects to the power supply. Gently wiggle the connector at the drive while pulling straight out to remove it.

Next, you will disconnect the data cables, which are usually smaller SATA cables. Carefully pull the cables straight out from the drive to disconnect them. Be gentle as a stuck SATA cable can damage the drive if forced. If needed, gently wiggle from side to side while pulling. Arrange any loose cables neatly out of the way so they don’t obstruct removing the drive.

Properly disconnecting the power before the data cables ensures no damage occurs, and keeping organized cable management will make reconnecting a new drive easier. For more tips on removing stuck cables see: How to Remove a Stuck Cable

Document Drive Connections

Before disconnecting any cables, it’s important to note exactly where each cable connects to the hard drive. Taking photos for reference can be very helpful. This will allow you to easily reconnect the cables properly when installing the replacement drive.

Pay close attention to where the SATA data cable and SATA power cable connect to the hard drive. SATA connections often use a small L-shaped connector. Make sure you know which side is the data connection and which is the power connection. The SATA data cable will connect to the drive’s interface circuit board, while the SATA power cable will connect directly to the drive’s internal components.

If you’re disconnecting an older IDE/ATA drive, document where the wide ribbon cable connects to the back of the drive. IDE drives may also have a 4-pin power connector, usually white or black in color. Verify if any jumper or configuration settings need to be copied over as well.

If possible, take photos from multiple angles to capture all the required details. Having good documentation will ensure you can get the replacement drive connected properly.

Sources:
https://pinoutguide.com/HD/

Remove Mounting Screws

Locating all the screws mounting the hard drive is an important first step. Hard drives are often secured inside the computer case with 4-6 screws, typically on the side or bottom of the drive.

Use a Philips head screwdriver that properly fits the screws to avoid stripping them. If you have difficulty removing a screw, try these tips:

  • Push firmly down on the screwdriver while turning to get better grip.
  • Try a rubber band between the screwdriver and screw for extra friction.
  • If stripped, use a screw extractor or pliers to remove the screw.

Be patient and careful during this step to avoid damaging the drive or case. Removing all mounting screws will allow the drive to slide out.

For tips on dealing with stuck hard drive screws, see this Tom’s Hardware thread.

Slide Drive from Mount

When sliding the hard drive from the mount, use caution to avoid damaging the sensitive electronics on the drive. Hard drives contain small components that can be damaged by static electricity, so avoid touching the circuitry on the underside of the drive. Only handle the drive by its edges or mounting brackets.

As you remove the drive, keep track of any mounting rails, caddies, or other removable pieces that are attached to the drive. These are usually designed specifically for that drive mount and need to be reused when installing the replacement drive. Set them aside carefully so they are not misplaced.

Slowly pull the drive straight out from the mount without twisting or bending it. Be gentle yet firm while removing it. Some drives fit tightly in their mounts and require a bit of controlled force to remove. Use both hands to support the weight of a large 3.5 inch hard drive.

If the drive does not slide out of the mount smoothly, double check that all screws have been fully unfastened and that the drive is not caught on any locking mechanisms or protrusions inside the drive bay.

Once removed from the mount, place the hard drive on an anti-static mat or other protected surface. Avoid setting it directly on metal or rough surfaces that could damage the drive.

Install Replacement Drive

Once the old hard drive has been removed, it’s time to install the new replacement drive. This process will essentially reverse the steps taken during drive removal. Be sure to consult any documentation that came with the new drive for specific installation instructions.

First, slide the new drive into the empty drive bay or mounting bracket in your computer case. You may need to align the screw holes on the drive with the corresponding holes in the mounting bracket. Gently push the drive into place until it is fully seated in the drive bay.

Next, reattach any mounting screws that were removed earlier to secure the drive in place. Tighten the screws snugly, but be careful not to overtighten them. Overtightening can damage the drive enclosure.

Reconnect the power and data cables to the back of the new drive, pushing them in firmly until they click into place. It may help to refer back to the labels or documentation you made earlier showing where each cable was originally connected.

Double check that all connections are snug before moving on. Wiggling the cables gently will confirm they are properly attached and prevent connection issues later on when powering up the drive.

Assuming the drive is now physically installed, you can move on to partitioning, formatting, and restoring your data. Take care when handling drives to avoid any damage that could result in data loss.

Partition and Format Drive

Once the new hard drive is installed, the next step is to partition and format it for use with your operating system. This is done using the Disk Management utility in Windows.

To access Disk Management, press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type “diskmgmt.msc” and click OK to launch the utility. This will display all drives connected to your system.

Right-click on the new drive and select “New Simple Volume” to launch the partition wizard. Specify the size of the partition or partitions you want to create on the new drive. For example, you may want a single large partition occupying the full capacity, or split it into a smaller system partition and larger data partition.

You will then need to select a file system format for the partition(s). For use with Windows, the NTFS file system is recommended as it supports larger partition sizes and comes with security features [1]. Other options like exFAT can be used for external storage drives to allow compatibility with other operating systems.

With the partitions created and filesystem selected, the wizard will begin formatting the drive. Once completed, the new drive will show up with unused space and can be accessed from File Explorer.

Restore Data

Once the new hard drive is installed and formatted, it’s time to restore your data and files from backup. There are a few options for restoring data from a backup:

Use backup software like Disk Drill to restore files and folders from a backup image of your original drive. This will clone your old drive setup onto the new one.

Manually copy files and folders from an external drive or cloud storage where your backups were saved. Take your time and be patient as transferring large amounts of data can take a while.

Use Windows’ System Image Recovery tool to restore a system image backup to your new drive, bringing back Windows, apps, settings, and files.

If you did not have a recent backup, you may need to use data recovery software to attempt to recover files from the old drive.

Regardless of method, restoring a large amount of data will take time. Be patient, take breaks, and avoid interrupting the process once started.

Verify Functionality

After installing the new hard drive, it’s important to verify that it is functioning properly before using it. Here are some tips for testing out the new drive:

First, boot up the computer and check that the system recognizes the new drive. You should see it listed in the BIOS and disk management utility. If the drive is not detected, recheck the cabling and connections (source).

Next, perform some read/write tests on the drive. Try copying some files to it and then opening them to confirm the data integrity. Run a software-based hard drive test like SeaTools for Windows to thoroughly verify error-free operation (Seagate SeaTools).

Finally, once you’ve confirmed basic functionality, you can begin using the drive and enjoying the expanded storage space. Transfer over data from your old drive and start storing new files. Benchmark the drive to test real-world read/write speeds.

Taking the time to properly verify your new hard drive can help identify and troubleshoot any potential issues early on. With testing complete, you can be confident your drive upgrade is successful and the new capacity is ready to use.