This second part explains some of the crucial installation steps required to get your new external hard disk enclosure working. Assuming that you have purchased an internal, 3.5inch, ide hard disk drive and a suitable enclosure for the hard drive to fit into.

To avoid anti-static discharge always take necessary precautions like wearing an anti-static wrist band. This can prevent damage to the exposed circuitry on certain types of hard disks.

• Remove the hard disk drive from its packaging and check the rear where the connectors are located


• Remove the small jumper, a small plastic contraption connecting two pins and put these to one side


• Remove the enclosure from its packaging and make sure all the contents are correct as listed


• Check the instructions on opening the enclosure, usually four small screws, different makes have different methods


• Fit the power connector first, this is the slightly larger 4 pin connector(IDE drives, SATA deives have a different style)


• Then align the IDE connector on the disk drive to the connector on the enclosure. Missing a pin or two is easily done, but should be avoided at all costs.


• Hold the drive and the enclosure together firmly and check the sides or the underside for the screholes. Usually 4, sometimes 2. These should match the disk drive. This ensures that the disk drive is firmly mounted onto the enlosure. Put the sscrews in tighten. Do Not Over Tighten


• Put the cover back on and close the enclosure and tighten any necessary screws


• Connect power cable and the USB or FireWire cable and you are ready for the next stage

The second stage is making sure that your hard disk is recognised by the PC. I am assuming that you are using Windows XP Pro as your operating system.

• First power the enclosure


• Then windows might report that it has found new hardware or a USB device. Wait for it to settle down


• Open "Control Panel", which can be found on the Start Menu or also on the left hand side in My computer


• Open the following in the correct order:
  • Administrative Tools
  • Computer Management
  • On the window that opens up click on Storage
  • If other options are showing under Storage than click on Disk Management directly


• This will show all the drives connected to your PC including the internal ones


• The new hard disk will also be listed, but it will have a red colour symbol by it


• Simply right click on the label and choose the option, "Initialise Disk" or "Initialise"

You are now ready to create partitions and format the hard disk drive to your hearts content.